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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

"climbing the mast"

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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/20/2004 : 14:44:46

Hi All!

I need to change a bulb in my masthead anchor light, is it safe to go up the mast in a chair only using the halyard and winch?

Are there any safe guards I should consider (besides losing weight :)

How high up can one go?

thanks
Frank

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 15:38:37

I always use a separate prussic attached to a seat harness in addition to a chair. It's a "just in case".

As far as how high you can go? As far as your dreams take you, my friend - LOL!

But seriously, don't get into a situation where your binding the halyard. And make sure that halyard isn't chafed or wearing thin.

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 15:39:48

It's a good idea to use two halyards--one to pull you up and one as a safety. There's no reason why you can't get all the way to the top. I say this as one who's never actually done it:)

At the Annapolis Boat Show, there was a guy selling this gismo that allows one man to climb the mast--in case you're sailing in the BOC.

Edited by - on

Shelby
Navigator

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USA
155 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 16:00:08

In the latest Sail rag, there was a whole article dedicated to different ways to get up the mast.

I have had the experience of being on the winch end of pulling a guy up the mast in a chair, not much fun.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 16:18:03

Frank - definitely have a second halyard attached to the chair and another thin line tied to the chair to use as a "messenger" to pull up whatever tool you have forgotten!

Duct tape the halyard shackles closed. If you hold onto the mast with your hands and feet and pull yourself up as the winchman cranks it helps him a lot.
Derek

Edited by - on

LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 16:18:23

I have gone up my mast using the halyard and a chair - all the way to the top. I should have used a second line for a safety. There was some creaking and groaning going on and I got a bit nervous, but it went absolutely fine. (I had to straighten out my Windex as I wanted the wind coming from the West instead of the East - so I just turned the Windex!)((OK, OK, I hit some branches as I was going to launch her and didn't notice it until I got her into the water.))

Edited by - on

Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 23:16:01

I’ve been up the mast twice this month. First time was with prusicks on a “static line” hauled up with the main halyard. At the start of the season, we had some vicious 60 mph winds come through the marina. I went out to make sure all was secured during this storm and noticed the mast on the Capri 26 next to me was actually flexing four feet, from side to side. His windward lower shroud had popped at the turnbuckle. All that flexing back and forth caused his masthead to strike my Windex. I spent most of the season with my Windex working only on a starboard tack. It eventually drove me nuts, so I got out my old climbing gear and prusicked up the mast on my static line. I suppose it might be handy to know, but it’s just too much work, and I’m not going to encourage anyone to do it. However when the second opportunity arose, I figured it’s time to invest in some “ascenders”. The serious guys use these on big wall climbs for hauling and ascending fixed ropes. I found a new and affordable ascender, designed by Paul Petzold (first guy to do a winter ascent of the Tetons…in cowboy boots). These inexpensive ascenders worked great, and I recommend them highly. No need for a second person cranking a wench. Up and down in no time. I will keep them aboard for emergencies. Use a second halyard/line for a safety backup. I was pleasantly surprised how little the mast moved while at the top. Be careful and good luck. Todd Frye

http://store.karstsports.com/32113.html
http://ruckus.org/resources/manuals/climbing/ascendingfixedprusick.html

Edited by - Todd Frye on 07/20/2004 23:20:47

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 10:04:06

I use a second line for safety, too, but my primary method is with a long line and two ratchet blocks, one hoisted to the mast head, the other at the chair. I just hoisted my 120 pound daughter up during the Nationals to rig a topping lift for the spinnaker pole. No winch needed at all, as I think the ratio is 1 to 3, meaning I was pulling 40 pounds. When she was ready to come down, she flipped the switch on the ratchet block so it would free wheel and I lowered her with friction on the top block. It was a snap. A strong light guy or gal could hoist him or herself alone, no winches, no help, but there should be someone tailing the safety halyard. Our local professional rigger uses this same method I just learned...

Gary B.
s/v Encore #685 SK/SR
Vice Commodore

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 10:28:14

Todd wrote... "No need for a second person cranking a wench."

Something about 'winches' sure brings out the Fredian slips.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 10:31:00

Something about 'winches' sure brings out the Fredian slips. - Clam

You're right Bruce ... BTW, who's Fred??

Edited by - on

Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 10:54:30

“No need for a second person cranking a wench”. Whoa, that would have earned me a trip to the principal’s office. My apologies. Todd Frye

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 11:09:57

I recently used my 4:1 mainsheet tackle in conjunction with my spare anchor line to singlehandedly haul myself up the mast.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 15:21:16

This is the way to do it:

Wife

I winched her up using the main halyard. I used my nifty 2 speed primary. Don't use the self tailing feature of your winch. We have a real bosun's chair. She hung onto the mast and did as much climbing as possible. No backupline was used. I hoisted up a white bucket with tools in it using the spinnaker halyard.

other photos from the experience

http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/upmast.html

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 15:51:15

Frank,

I agree with our brothers if you use a halyard to hoist someone, use the other for safety.

If you are going to buy a bosun chair, buy one with a rigid seat, know that after you sit in one one of the soft, flexible ones for a few minutes you will feel like your butt is in a vice and your naughty bits are getting squeezed! Ouch.

If you are just going to the spreaders, you can use an extension ladder from the forward cabin-top. I put down a non-skid door mat first. Next I tie the bottom of the ladder in all directions so it will not move. Then I tie the ladder to the forward shrouds as high as I can reach. Then I go up a few steps and tie again. Last I tie the top of the ladder to the spreaders. It makes a wide, very stable platform to work on the deck lights (I have two) or steaming lights. I always have to go up or down several times to get stuff.

Also, I wear my safety MOB harness snapped to the spreaders and around the mast, JIC.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 19:10:44

I recomend taking the deck connector off and doing a continuity check through the circuit first. Might not be a burnt out bulb .

Edited by - on

Jared
1st Mate

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USA
70 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 07:38:04

Look in a climbing or mountaineering book such as "Mountaineering - Freedom of the Hills" or something like that. No need for bosun's chair, a helper, or any of that jazz as far as I'm concerned. Use two prusik knots on your halyard (assuming it is rope, not wire) - one tied to a harness around your waist and another on a foot loop. Step up on the foot one, move up the waist one, weight the one on your waist and then slide the foot one up. If wire, hoist a rope line. You will understand when you see it in a book. You can tie an additional prusik around another halyard for a safety. This is the way I get up the mast all by myself and people are always asking how... If you want to get up real quick - buy yourself a pair of ascenders.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 10:01:46

Jared, the majority of Catalina 25 owners are over 50 and fat. It ain't happen'n. I saw someone use one of the canvas ladders that rise up the mast slot the other day and they still had him in a boson's chair with a safety line and a bucket line.

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 11:52:19

However, I still find that this is the BEST method:

1. Set up one of those plastic frame camp chairs
2. Use your cell phone to call a rigging company
3. Give instructions from the ground

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 20:55:25

Very often on a bosuns chair or sling you will see a short line attached to the slings or shackles. This is intended to be used as a safety line, sort of like belt and suspenders. A number of pros I know send up a tackle to the masthead on the main halyard, or a spare halyard, and belay. This tackle, as has been mentioned previously, might be a mainsheet rig, or a dedicated tackle of 3 or 4 parts, which is more common on thiose who go aloft frequently. The short safety line is then set up above the chair with a rolling hitch on the mast. As the sailor goes aloft, either by pulling him or herself on the tackle, or by being hauled away by another, the short safety line is constantly being passed up and up on the mast above the chair, so to provide a backup if any part fails. That is the beauty of the rolling hitch. Process is reversed on way down. Many pros will not LET anyone help, but want to be in complete control of their own tackle all the way. Hope this helps, ron srsk Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 21:08:50

Now that's one heck of a great idea!
Derek

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2004 : 21:43:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ronrryan
 ...A number of pros I know send up a tackle to the masthead on the main halyard, or a spare halyard, and belay....Many pros will not LET anyone help, but want to be in complete control of their own tackle all the way...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This novice feels the same way. I just can't get myself to trust someone enough to haul me up the mast.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 08:34:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Jared, the majority of Catalina 25 owners are over 50 and fat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah. If one of us 300 pounders were to try it, I am sure the moment caused by that much weight at the top of a 28' lever arm (that's engineer-speak for torque), would cause the boat to tip right over onto her beam ends, and the guy climbing the mast would suddenly find himself swimming!

Edited by - on

Joe Mama
1st Mate

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USA
25 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2004 : 01:55:06

My solution to this issue was to rig a 6:1 purchase block system, using two triple-sheave pulleys and a LONG length of rope. Run a 'standard' block up the mast with the main or genoa halyard. (my roller-furler equipped boat still has the genoa halyard installed.) On the other end, I use a block with a built-in cam-cleat. (similar to a main sheet fiddle-block.) run the line in such a way that the runs don't chafe each other. (My 'lower' block has a ratcheting wheel in the middle). Attach the boatswain's chair to the lower block, have a seat, and hoist away. For extra safety, I use a climber's brake purchased from REI on the line below the block. Just slide it up the line while hoisting. All components came from West Marine (Harken blocks), three-strand line (half-inch?). Happy climbing

Joe Lucero
'85 F/K S/R
"Dolphin Dreams"

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2004 : 04:28:20

Personally I would just drop the mast.

During our last beer can race one of the mac sailors, one of the old fast ones boat that is, had a spreader part ways while he was flying a spinny. I wasn't there to see it but the report is he jumped on the boom and grabbed hold of the good spreader and pulled himself up and tried to jam the broken one back in its holder. Not sure if the fix worked, but he came in one of the top spots for the evening. He is over 50 but in top shape.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2004 : 04:28:23

Edited by - on

IndyJim
Navigator

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USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2004 : 00:12:59

Well, I'm either gutsy or stupid. I've gone up the mast on several occasions in a bosuns chair. Yes, I use a safety line and trust my buddies to crank me up & tie me off while I'm working. I also trust them not to walk off and leave me hanging up there. I'm not a daredevil by any stretch of the imagination but as my buddy says "it's a whole different boat up there!" The view is wonderful looking down, so if you do it, take a camera up with you. And remember to remind your buddies on deck that a mere 6 inches of rocking on deck is magnified to about 3 feet up there!

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