Up the Mast

Hi all,
For a cruising boat i cant reccomend highly enough steps all the way to the top of the mast. I use them all the time - for photography, checking reef passes, inspecting rigging fetching lost halyards etc.
I am still young and foolish so i dont use a harness or bosuns chair unless i am hanging out doing some work... and then it is just to carry the tools up qnd give the calfs a rest.
When crusing i check the rigging at least weekly - when it is easy why not?
I also replaced my standing rigging by removing half the rigging, getting it replicated (in duplicate) and then putting it all back up. I am lucky to have lots of rigging - twin backstays, for and aft lowers and cap and intermediate shrouds and twin forestays and an inner forestay. Suffice to say that even with half the rigging missing it was still pretty solid! Blue wave (http://www.bluewaveaus.coml replicated the rigging and did a great job first time.

Food for thought.

James

I watch the other day a professional rigger. He was was on the top of 13m mast in second.
In 10 min. he went down twice , pick up something and up again.
It was across a bit far, didn't see attachment on the deck, but it was electric remote something.
any more details on that...?

I agree that steps are highly desirable.
I installed mine progressively starting from the bottom whilst mast was still standing. used a harness and tied off to halyard as well as to mast at each step. Replaced the sheaves when I finally got to the top.
I'm not young or fit but do rise to a challenge.
A timely reminder to go aloft and do an overdue checkup.

Select to expand quote

Mizzenmaster said..
Hi Ben
drop in to your local rock climbing shop they will set you up for around $400? And all rated gear.

G'day MM,
The only problem with the rock climbing gear is its made from very light-weight alloys with fine springs and gates etc, designed to be of minimal weight it is imho not much good in a marine environment. I kept some of my rock climbing gear in a locker inside my cabin & used it, along with some Arborist equipment to go up the mast. The rock climbing gear is totally useless after 3 years now.

How much are the Top Climbers?
Something specifically designed to be used by the average untrained knucklehead sailor is preferable, unless someone has a background in rock climbing or industrial high access.
cheers

I would use rock climbing gear, specifically the ones recommended for caving. (such as Jumar)

I used to be involved in International cave explorations, in some of the most remote and difficult conditions you can find.

As we practised "single rope techniques" you had to make certain your equipment was always up to the mark. When you are 500+ metres underground, going up 100+ metre pitch and changing ropes mid air (in total darkness) you want to make certain you equipment is good!

Number one rule - make certain your rope is 100%, I would not use any rope that you can not inspect 100%, I would not use a rope that was exposed to indefinite period of UV exposure and chaffing. Reserve a 11m static sheaved rope for this use only, and make certain that any potential chafing points are protected while in use.

The equipment does need to be stored properly ...cleaned an oiled etc, but I have used ascenders that where 15+ years old (with cam replacement etc)

Select to expand quote

Libran said..
I agree that steps are highly desirable.
I installed mine progressively starting from the bottom whilst mast was still standing. used a harness and tied off to halyard as well as to mast at each step. Replaced the sheaves when I finally got to the top.
I'm not young or fit but do rise to a challenge.
A timely reminder to go aloft and do an overdue checkup.

Aha.... so you can replace sheaves without pulling the mast out!!
I'm not young... reasonable fit... but unfortunately I'm scared of heights... so I will be even more rising to a challenge the first time I go up the mast... yikes!!!

Hi McNautical
You can se the shock cord in the photo, just threaded it through each step and around the rigging, that way no halyards can get tangled around the steps. Looks a bit strange and for the purists out there it will add some windage etc but for me it works and its worth it to make easy access to the mast head.

Vernon

Hi all, just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons so to say, what is wrong with using a rope ladder?? using the mainsail halyard take the rope ladder to the top of the mast and tie it off, reasonably tight, then use the spinnaker halyard as the safety line, also tied off tightly and use one of those climbing things that lock onto the rope if let go attached to a safety harness, then just climb up the ladder ???? sound to simple ??? so what a i missing???
Ben

Select to expand quote

Ben405 said..
Hi all, just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons so to say, what is wrong with using a rope ladder?? using the mainsail halyard take the rope ladder to the top of the mast and tie it off, reasonably tight, then use the spinnaker halyard as the safety line, also tied off tightly and use one of those climbing things that lock onto the rope if let go attached to a safety harness, then just climb up the ladder ???? sound to simple ??? so what a i missing???
Ben

There is nothing new in sailing. Deffee rope ladder!

Select to expand quote

McNaughtical said..
Hey now that I can do!!
My parents were into caving and they had a roll up wire ladder I used to climb like a monkey when I was a child. Would love to have it now!

What would you love to have now, the wire ladder or your childhood or both?? You do not look like a monkey so why would you behave like one.

I re-state my previous advice. Drop the mast and do everything that needs doing to in a safe environment (40 feet in the air suspended by a wire is not one of those) so that there is no reason to go to the mast top for at least 2 years.

But who am I to speak?? Do what you feel you must and place you life at the level of risk that returns the level of excitement you seek. After all we are all thrill seekers aren't we????

I just hope your gravestone inscription reads "Here Lies McNaughtical Who Died While Doing What She Loved Most. Sailing!!" rather than "Here Lies McNaughtical Who Died From Falling From a Mast Head While Trying to Save a Few Dollars so She Could do What She Really Wanted to do Which was Sailing."

The choice is yours sweet heart. Live your life in your own way and hopefully you will die (as we all do) in your own way.

There have been a few deaths reported on this forum lately of older people. While the mind might be sharper than it has ever been, it does not necessarily follow that the body is capable of fulfilling the demands the mind puts on it.

Make of that what you will.

Not really the same. It has mast slides along its length and they hold it in place. Would be similar to climbing a mast with those steps riveted to the sides.


http://myccc.salientlion.net/documents/mastladder_using.pdf

There is an easy way for me to do the work up the mast .... I use my youngest son who is a sailmaker, has the right gear and is happy to go up there. He uses Spinlock harness and 2 x halyards.

He reckons top spreaders are ideal height

Me, I will pull the mast, as much a pain as it is it means I can work on terra Firma and I don't have to go up there .... I am happy to admit I am not happy up there anymore.