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Climbing Mast on C25--How much weight?

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/05/2004 : 20:36:32

I'd like to climb my C25 Standard rig mast.

How much weight will it support? I'm 250lbs and am concerned that I will exceed the weight aloft maximum.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus 1984 C25 #4679

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2004 : 23:16:09

I weigh about the same... and I wouldn't consider going up the mast unless I had the masthead tied off to dock cleats on both sides.

Once she starts to tip I think it would be all downill from there... If not injurious, it sure would be damn comical. ;>)

IMHO... round up a couple bodies and it's not that hard to lower the mast on these boats.

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2004 : 00:27:57

I weigh 220 and I have been up mine in a bosun's chair. Not a lot of fun, and a bit tippy, but I am a wimp about falling anyway. I think tying the masthead down to the docks on both sides is a good option, but lowering the sucker makes even more sense.

Good luck,

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2004 : 08:05:41

I'm 205 and have been to the masthead in a bosuns chair while motoring. I had to climb to help the guy on the primary winch. A lot of work for both of us but I made it up and completed the work I needed to. At 250 I would consider your strength and physical conditioning your and your assistant before going up.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2004 : 08:45:19

Howabout hiring a rigger type of guy on the side. Pay him a fair wage and let him do it.

IMHO, paying a boat buck or so is better than risking the fall.

Or lower the mast.

Paul

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2004 : 22:41:58

I only need to go 2/3 of the way up, but I'll err on safety and wait until I can bring the mast down. Having my boat teeter totter while I'm up the mast is more excitement than I care for. Thanks for the info.

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JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2004 : 15:54:37

If my memory of mechanics in school serves me right it should be safe to go to the top if your weight is up to approximately 200 lbs (considering the weight of the keel and the respective distances from the center of gravity - if swing keel, let it down). Anyway, even that weight you would have trouble pulling with the samll winches on our boats. That wouldn't be a factor, though, with one of those ingenious mast climbers.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2004 : 16:12:38

I made a small block and tackle rig to hoist my wife (your web master) up. Using the main halyard, hoist two blocks to the top. Use a single block on the bosuns chair. This rig is called a "single luff". This gives you a 3 to 1 reduction. She weighs 110 more or less. That means I'm pulling about about 35 lbs. You need about 120 feet of line. This works much better than the winches.

No problems, she enjoyed the ride, got the work done, and took photos while up there. Boat was stable, but be careful when you are stepping on or off the deck.

Use the jib halyard to hoist a plastic bucket with tools, I also use my spinnaker halyard as a backup safety line. A real bosuns chair makes a big difference (everyone on the dock borrows mine).

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2004 : 23:00:49

I have been up the mast in a bosun's chair several times, but I weigh only 140 lbs. At 250, unless it's all lean muscle, you may be looking at risks other than the simple risk of bending the mast or tipping the boat (I am trying to be diplomatic here). Actually, I would worry less about the mast than I would the halyards, the shackles and all the other "weak links".

On a C25, lowering the mast is a better, safer and easier option 80% of the time. The other 20%, if that is where you are, I would pay a professional coconut picker to go up.

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cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2004 : 00:26:34

Albert,

I weigh 240 and have been up the mast on Confetti many times, and its a tall rig.....

My weight is carried on the main halyard, however I also have the spinnaker halyard also clipped to the bosun's chair "just in case". Downside is it takes two people to haul me up the mast.

Chuck

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