[Public-list] Re: up the mast

[Jack Vanderloo]

Gordon,

fiddle block with becket and swivel snap shackle - upper block
fiddle block with becket, cam cleat and swivel snap shackle - lower block
Jumar ascender (one of a pair)
http://store.karstsports.com/32200.html
170' 3/8" line
4 to 5' "flat" mountain climbing line (sometimes used for jacklines)
1/2 or 5/8" piece clear PVC hose - 6"
variously-sized S.S. rings and small shackles
4 - 5' 1/2" safety line

Each fitting situation needs to be thought through carefully.  Tape all 
snap shackles.

Blocks must have appropriate beckets.  Rig all this in a 4:1 arrangement 
such that the lower block attaches to the bosun's chair and the upper 
block can be hoisted to, and doubleblocked at, the masthead with two 
securely cleated off halyards, paying out the line as you raise the 
upper block.  Keep bosun's chair at deck level.

Secure one end of the "flat" line to the Jumar - I use the right hand 
one of the set.  Tie a bowline in the lower end, slipping the hose in to 
form a stirrup.  Overall usable length will be determined by leg length. 
  Experiment!

[Attach a short (4 - 5') safety line to the bosun's chair to tie around 
the mast to prevent swinging at the masthead.]

Jumar/stirrup is secured on hauling part of tackle just up from lower 
block arrangement.

Pump with foot, tailing line through cam cleat as needed.  Set rough 
loops (double the line) in the tailed line every 10' or so to limit 
unexpected descent.  Untie as descending.

Works well - at anchor; not attempted underway!  Have done it numerous 
time, unattended.

Jack
KC641 Aldabi

Gordon White wrote:

>     If there is a dead-easy way to hoist yourself up the mast, 
> single-handed, please tell me about it. I have done it, by myself, tied 
> to the pier, but it was not easy. I went up the mast of a neighbor's 
> 40-footer last year in a bosun's chair to retrieve a halyard he had let 
> fly and with two people on the deck it was still no picnic.  I was the 
> lightest of the three of us. One cranked the winch and one handled a  
> safety line (jib halyard) and it was a considerable effort. Now, I'm 71, 
> the grinder is 67 and the safety man is 80, so maybe we are just too 
> old, but  if there is an easy way I need to know  about it.
> 
>    When I went up solo I used the jib halyard as a safety and the main 
> to take a 4-part tackle up the mast to which I attached the chair. The 
> tackle, even 4-part, was not all that easy to manage while holding on to 
> the mast with my legs and holding on to the  safety line. The 4-part 
> tackle two-blocked somewhat below the masthead, so I had to unhook and 
> re-set it. This was all in perfectly calm water, as I said, tied to the 
> pier. I don't think I could have done it under way in any kind of a 
> seaway. I think it would be as safe or safer to have steps and the 
> safety line.
> 
> Ideas?
> 
> - Gordon White
> 
> Brigadoon II
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> 

-- 
Jack Vanderloo
14 Kippewa Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S3G4
613-233-9476


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