Climbing the mast

[swavek]

Hi all,
Its been a while, but I have been busy working over winter.
I finally have some spare days a week to work on 'Peppercorn'.
I have replaced all the running rigging with brand new DB ropes.
I bought a great spectra main halyard which I intended to replace the old wire main halyard with.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, the new halyard wouldnt go through the top sheave and so both the new and old halyards came apart after some pulling and heaving at the top and so I have no main rope at all.
That's why I have to climb the mast now, to put the new halyard through.
I have an option to pull aside to a friends Farr 44 and use his bosuns to do the job, but I'm stubborn enough to do it myself.
I have built a makeshift ladder which I plan on cable tying to the mast and climbing it myself.
I will have a harness on and a couple of friends to assist, so it should go ok (cross fingers).
I will be filming it, so I will post the video when its done.
While Im up there, I want to install a Windex wind vane which I bought aswell.
This will hopefully prevent the birds from sitting a top of the mast and pooping all over my deck.
Anyway, I have also started to clean the boat up a bit, and Ive received a 3 metre section of toe rail which I want to use to replace some rotted bits.
My headsail on furler is pretty tired and patched up.
I wouldnt mind buying a new one to replace it.
If anyone has one to sell, please let me know.
I have never taken a furler down, but Im sure with the knowledge provided on this forum, I will find out how.
Looking forward to getting back into 'top hat' sailing with the help of this awesome forum!
Regards, Swavek.

[KJD13]

Hi Swavek,
Looking forward to seeing your video - I have read numerous reviews of the various methods of scaling the mast and look forward to seeing how your method works.
When you say you have purchased DB halyards, what do you mean?
Cheers,
Kevin
Wayward Lady (Mk 111)
Williamstown, Vic

[swavek]

Hi Kevin.
I meant Double Braided rope.
The main halyard I bought is spectra, which Im about to put through the mast.
If the weather is right on Tuesday, I will climb the mast and post photos/videos asap.
Cross fingers all goes right..

[lockie]

Hey Swavek;

Just in case you haven't already got it covered - if you're replacing a wire halyard with rope, you'll need to replace the sheave.

Chyeers, Graeme

[Tales]

An article on rigging inspection and mast climbing in the October Cruising Helmsman.
Cheers,
Tom

[Miker]

Hey Swavek;

Just in case you haven't already got it covered - if you're replacing a wire halyard with rope, you'll need to replace the sheave.

Chyeers, Graeme

Not quite correct, if you have an all wire halyard, you may have a wire only sheave. If you have a wire halyard with a rope tail you shouldn't need to replace it unless it's custard. I did what you're doing, but because I had a rope tail on the wire halyard, I didn't bother with the sheave until the standing rigging was done. When it came out, it was perfect, so we left it in, then added a topping lift next to it, which also can act as a spare Halyard if the main one ever fails. Remember to end for end them as soon as you see chafing from the clutch/jammer if that's what you use.

in relation to pulling a new halyard through with an old one, it's better to stitch the new halyard to the old rope tail, then tape it securely and thinly with a good quality duct tape. May have saved you this hassle.

[swavek]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all your advice in regards to climbing the mast in order to put a main halyard through the masthead (i.e. no mail halyard at all at present).
It took a while for me to have a day free from work (I work 7 days) and also to time it with a day of little wind to do the job.
But finally I got it done and the ladder is up and attached to the mast.
I've climbed it all the way and it works great. Very sturdy.
Next step is to get all the gear together and head up there to put the main halyard through the sheaves and down through the mast.
I also want to install a wind vane and check what's happening up there generally.
The furler roller bearing swivel thing up top looks like its had a few modifications over the years from previous owners so I want to check it all out.
I have also bought a new Rolly Tasker headsail from a fellow Top Hat owner and want to change it over as well.
Once the halyard is in place, I will attach it to my harness as I climb up there with a friend assisting down at the winch.
I've attached a few photos. Will keep updating as work progresses.
Amazing how much pleasure you get from working on your boat.... except the amount of money needed in my pockets every time I head over to Whitworths!

[Phillip]

.
Amazing how much pleasure you get from working on your boat.... except the amount of money needed in my pockets every time I head over to Whitworths!

Wow Swavek,

That's a different way of putting mast steps in.

Just one question.... what happens when you go sailing

[swavek]

Hi Phillip,
Dont worry, the mast step ladder is not permanent..
Once all works are complete, it comes down and is stored in
my garage just in case it needs to be used again.
Regards, Swavek.

[moose]

Hi there folks this is the Moose here from ASHANTI when you changed your halyards did you have to change your sheaves because going from wire to Spectra there would have been a difference in diameter pending size spectra.Do your halyards run smoothly if not you may find that you may need to change your sheaves to a size compatible with the diameter of your new halyards. If so I a solution using your mast ladder, loosen. your fore and aft stays plus your port and s/board stays, leave your lower stays connected, using your mast your ladder ascend mast to remove mast head and change sheaves , lower stays will support mast while you change sheaves.cheers THE MOOSE.