Whilst the mast is down.....

[Sans Bateau]

I have the mast off the boat in the rack at the moment with the rigger doing what riggers do.

What else should I be doing while the mast is off the boat, checking all the rigging etc is being done. Should I for instance put new bulbs in the nav lights, how do I check to make sure the VHF coaxial is OK? What else needs doing?

 

[RestlessL]

Change anything that could fail - e.g. the Nav lights - are the lenses crazed, in which case it might be time for a new unit.

Pull on everything that is fixed on (e.g. radar reflector) - and re-fit if needed.

Check that all your sheaves are free-running, particularly those you don't use.

Have you got a wind-indicator - and is this turning brittle.

That was just for starters in my case - I ended up changing the standing rigging, all the electric cable, replace everything at the mast head, rig an emergency fore-stay etc. I expect the mast to stay up for a further 10 years before it comes down again.

 

[Salty John]

If you can disconnect the coax at the antenna and at the radio you might want to check for continuity. Check that from the body to the centre pin on the connector you have no continuity. If you show less than infinite resistance you have a short in the cable run somewhere. Also, short the centre core to the braid at one end (centre pin to body) and check resistance at the other end - should be close to zero.
If you can't disconnect both antenna and radio don't bother, this test will tell you nothing.

 

[Evadne]

Ooh yes, check every inch of the halyards and stays, including the tangs. I'm one of those smug buggers that drop their mast every year, so I get to examine every inch of the standing and running rigging every year, and replace it if necessary. I rarely do the same for bulbs, I must admit I can't remember the last time I had to get someone to climb the mast and replace one while sailing (touch wood) so I don't worry about it but if you do, or you have a history of mast climbing, then it's a no-brainer, really.

 

[homa]

If you don't want to add a spare halyard I would definitely run a mouse up the mast, in-case you need to run another halyard or cable inside the mast when it is up at some time in the future.

If you have roller headsail - consider fitting a removable forestay for the storm jib.

 

[fireball]

I find a gerbil is easier to get up the mast than a mouse ... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[simonfraser]

fit tie ons to a power line to stop them clanging at night

 

[vyv_cox]

Quite honestly, it is barely worth checking wiring for resistance, continuity, etc. If the VHF and masthead light wire isn't tinned, just replace it. If it's tinned and more than three years old, replace it. The cost is buttons but the benefits are great.

I cleaned up the contacts on my unreliable tricolour but the following season I had to replace the whole thing, up the mast which was far more difficult.

Replace the spinner on masthead wind instruments, they go brittle in sunlight (if there is any) which is not a visible problem but can cause fracture with very small impacts, such as with hailstones, birds, halyards.

 

[ebbtide]

. . . explore inland waterways???

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

When I had my mast down to fit a Radar bracket, I took the opportunity to replace the bulb in the tricolour.

It was a new bulb from the local chandler!!

When the mast was back up, the light was tested, and did not work.

Another new bulb was bought from the same source, and replaced the 'new' bulb at the top of the mast.

This second 'new' bulb did not work either.

A further trip up the mast was made, and the original old bulb was put back.

It has worked just fne for the last 5 years, notwithstanding its years up the mast before I replaced it.

Moral of the story is to check that your chandlers new bulbs work before you repalce the old original bulb.

Chandler has now gone bust, and my mast climbing has declined!

famous last words...............

Mj

 

[castaway]

I took my mast down this year for the 1st time in 6 years, whilst is is down I have done the following:

New tricolour and anchor lights.
New Wind ex/speed
new steaming light
New VHF aerial
Checked all the sheaves / terminals etc
and finally......
Put on mast steps all the way to the top so I dont have to take the bloody thing down again in hurry

Regards Nick

 

[kengill]

Whatever you do don't shout "geronimo" with a lighted match in your hand.