Going up the mast - advice needed

[Quickstep192]

I needed to do some work on my mast and thought going up in a Bosun's chair would be easy. I learned a few things and I'm looking for help to overcome the problems I encountered on the next try.

I replaced the Halyard with a hi-tech line to ensure that the halyard I was riding up on would be safe. I had intended to help by pulling myself up as someone below winched and tailed. Because of the relatively small diameter (3/8") and the smooth cover, I wasn't able to get any kind of grip on the line. Additionally, the halyard winch is relatively small and the grinder had difficulty making any kind up substantive progress. To aggravate matters, the halyard goes through several blocks on the way to the winch, adding friction, but no leverage.

I hate to de-mast the boat just to add a windex and replace the wind direction indicator.

Any ideas?

PS, I weigh about 165. Should I just find a lighter guy? In my age group, that's not easy.

[zz4gta]

I've only used 2 speed primary winches to lift people. Makes it a lot easier. However, if all your halyards end at the mast, then you're kinda stuck.

[bubb2]

I have a couple thoughts on this subject.

you have not mentioned a safety line (second line) never go up on one line only; use the jib or spinnaker halyard as a safety.

if you have 2 primary winches; get two of your mates to winch together each sharing half the load.

if any of your halyard terminate in snap shackles, don't use the shackles, pass the line through the d ring on the chair and tie it off with a bowline.

West Marine has a recall on some of their bosun chairs.

[zz4gta]

Why is it that you're not supposed to use a shackle? I never understood that. Do shackles normally fail?

[sailhagg]

I've been up our mast a couple of times. You need to have a second halyard for safety. We recently picked up a flexible mast ladder and that with the bosun's chair is working well for us. You might ask around and see if anyone near you has one you could borrow.

I've chatted about options here

Sailboat Mast Climbing

I have a link in there to show how to tie the knot my buddy used to help us get him up...that might be something you'd be interested in, you can help the wench apes grinding away.

One thing I've learned about the bosun's chair is I need extra padding on the seat. They are very uncomfortable after just a few minutes. Be sure too, to have a line from the seat to the deck in case you need something you've forgotten. That way someone on deck can hook it to the line and you can haul it up.

Good luck and be sure to err on the side of safety! It's a long drop....

[SEMIJim]

I echo everything bubb2 said.

bubb2,

Interestingly, Brion Toss says in his book he uses strictly buntline hitches, IIRC. The author of this Good Old Boat article: Up the mast by Steve Christensen seems to likewise favour the buntline hitch in this application.

Jim

[bubb2]

A snap shackle can open accidentally under load. There are people who will tell just to duck tape them closed. Duck tape is a wonderful thing and all but I would not trust my life to it.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by zz4gta

Why is it that you're not supposed to use a shackle? I never understood that. Do shackles normally fail?

They don't normally fail, nor do the knots or splices that attach them to the line fail. But they do fail. Snap-shackles have an additional down-side in this application: They're easily accidentally opened.

I don't know about you, but I would prefer proper knots--preferably one tied by me. When we sent a close friends daughter up the mast, one of us tied one knot and the other checked it. Then we reversed the roles on the backup line.

Jim

[bubb2]

I will defer to the Pro's on the buntline hitch. I have only loss one crew member using a bowline and we gave his family a nice brass plague they were most appreciative!!!!!!

[zz4gta]

Makes sense, I just didn't know if there was another reason for it. Thanks.