Going Up the mast

[sailingdog]

You need a lot of line, about 6.5 times the height of the mast or so...and a triple block and a triple block with becket and cam. You could use most dacron double braids 5/16" or thicker.

Harken P/N 2648 and 2640— The weaker of these two has a SWL of 990 lbs., and at a six-to-one ratio, means a 180 lb. person would need about 35 lbs. of force to haul his butt up the mast.

Originally Posted by brak

knothead - so what hardware do I need to make this 6:1 thing? A triple block and a triple block with cam? What line would work for that? Would I be able to use that to work on masthead?

I have to do this quickly - sailing without VHF is just not fun (I have a handheld for now).

[brak]

Cool, gotta buy this then. Anyone needs brand new pair of ascenders?

[sailingdog]

Brak-

If you bought them from a place with a good return policy...take 'em back...since they're not going to work for your intended use.

[LittleMissMagic]

Originally Posted by imiloa

An alternative to the chair or Topclimber is a product called Mast Mate. It's basically a flexible ladder made of webbing that you hoist up the mast.

I checked into the mastmate myself and in addition to cost as SemiJim mentioned, You have to remove your mainsail to use it. This just seems like a pain compared to other options.

[sailingdog]

It can be used without being attached to the mast track...just not as effective to use it that way. If you use it free-standing, you will need to anchor the bottom fairly securely.

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

I checked into the mastmate myself and in addition to cost as SemiJim mentioned, You have to remove your mainsail to use it. This just seems like a pain compared to other options.

[knothead]

I use a solid bearing acetal sheave triple and a triple with becket and cam cleat. (which I removed). These were made by Ronstan. I used a pair of ball bearing Lewmar blocks for awhile but they didn't hold up. The bearingless Ronstans were just as good easy to use and had a higher working load.

I didn't use the cam cleat. I removed it completely. The block with the becket I haul to the top and tie myself off using the D-ring and spring hook.

The line can be reeved so that no two parts cross if you turn one block 90 degrees from the other.

SD is right, you need to have a lot of line for this system. 7 times the length of your mast.

I use 7/16" spun dacron double braid. It will burn like hell if you let it run through your hand but it provides a good grip.

I tried 3/8" but it was too small and my hands would cramp.

Steve

[sailingdog]

Good point on the line thickness. 5/16" line, with a BL of 3000 is usually good enough strength-wise, but 3/8" or 7/16" are better for grip purposes.

BTW, I'd agree that using a solid bearing sheave rather than ball-bearing sheave makes more sense, since the block and tackle is generally going to be used in fairly static way most of the time.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

You need a lot of line, about 6.5 times the height of the mast or so...and a triple block and a triple block with becket and cam. You could use most dacron double braids 5/16" or thicker.

Harken P/N 2648 and 2640— The weaker of these two has a SWL of 990 lbs., and at a six-to-one ratio, means a 180 lb. person would need about 35 lbs. of force to haul his butt up the mast.

Hmmm... About $120 for the 2648 and $80 for the 2640. Defender's got 5/16" LST "recreational" yachting double braid for $0.46/ft. For our 40' mast x 6-1/2, that'd be $120. We're up to $320. The bosun's chair: About another $120 or so? So we're up to $440?

The TopClimber ($350 at Defender), Mast Mate ($357, $427 if you add the belt and stuff), and even the OnRope1 ($440) are competitive, looks like.

Jim

[sailingdog]

Jim-

If you already have a triple block setup, for your mainsheet or boom vang, the price of using a six-to-one block drops incredibly... I have a six-to-one mainsheet setup.... and a climbing harness... so the only thing I'd need is the line... Of course, I use two ascenders instead.

Originally Posted by SEMIJim

Hmmm... About $120 for the 2648 and $80 for the 2640. Defender's got 5/16" LST "recreational" yachting double braid for $0.46/ft. For our 40' mast x 6-1/2, that'd be $120. We're up to $320. The bosun's chair: About another $120 or so? So we're up to $440?

The TopClimber ($350 at Defender), Mast Mate ($357, $427 if you add the belt and stuff), and even the OnRope1 ($440) are competitive, looks like.

Jim

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Jim-

If you already have a triple block setup, for your mainsheet or boom vang, the price of using a six-to-one block drops incredibly...

Of course

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I have a six-to-one mainsheet setup....

So do I, but the thought of de-reeving my mainsheet, reeving the line to ascend the mast, de-reeving that and re-reeving my mainsheet... *shudder*

Figuring out the reeving of the mainsheet in the first place gave me a headache!

Jim