Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
watching this youtube video, and halfway through realized it is a cat 25. I think I'll point her to the association. she needs a little help with some things.
Oooooo... That forestay needs a new forestay! And the halyard probably needs to go down to a restraining block on the mast just above the level of the furler swivel so she doesn't get another halyard-wrap, which may have caused the damage to the forestay in the first place. But she's resourceful!
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Made a mast ladder! I sewed it up like the commercial one instead of tying knots. Gonna try it out this friday when i can get someone to come with me tail a safety line. Either the windstorm we had 2 weeks ago, or an errant bird knocked off my windvane. Going to replace it.
Hi Todd, This is on my list of To-Do's also. Is your's an SR or TR? Looking forward to learn it works out for you. Many thanks! Kevin Walsh C-25, TR/SK
Kevin Walsh Segelboot 1984 C25, TR/SK Sail No. 4433
i have some pics i took, and measurements. I made it longer, in case i have a bigger boat in the future. I'll write up a howto after i try it out this weekend. I used 10000 pound polyester webbing from strapworks.com its stiffer than the lighter grades, which i hope will be easier to climb.
quote:Originally posted by Enchantment II
Hey Todd, I like your idea. Do you have details and measurements? What kind of material did you use?
Great job. Looking forward to your "How Too" update. I hope you will be including a materials required list as well. Thanks, can't wait to build one for my boat.
A boatyard buddy bought a mast climber rig like that and he was using it the other day. He’s got a 32 foot boat with a 40 ft keel stepped mast so that was his only choice unless he hired a crane. He took a belt and suspenders approach however. He also has a boatswains chair and used that with a friend handling the winch at the same time he climbed the mast. He also has a safety belt. It was a little windy that day so I worried about the whole boat tipping off the poppets (aka jack stands). In my case I decided to drop my mast to replace my windvane and check out my mast lighting. It was a little touch and go wrangling the rigging in the cockpit, but all’s well that ends well. Personally, I prefer working at ground level.
Bruce Ross Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032 Port Captain — Milford, CT
I didn't make my mast ladder I bought a "Cap't Al's" mast ladder. About $100, or 1 boat unit. The nice thing is, it has PVC pieces on each step. That makes stepping up easy, secure and no looking down to find the step. I would just caution anyone making their own mast ladder to really study the knots and take each and every knot seriously. 29 feet doesn't sound very high until you get up there. I rock climbed before getting into sailing and each knot makes a difference.
Well, the ladder came out great and my daughter claimed up three rungs. My short little legs couldn't make it to the next rung. Cursed with short legs and a long torso. Going to have to rip most of it apart and decrease the lengthy between rungs. That'll be a few weeks until I have time.
I build a mast ladder out of 1" webbing with mast sliders. Works great other than it pinches my feet against the mast that gets pretty sore after a few minutes. I think I'll add PVC to each step as Peregrine mentioned to take care of that.
One thing about safety. Whenever I use it, I wear a climbing harness that is attached to the jib halyard with a climbing ascender. I attached the jib halyard to the base of the mast and make it tight with the mast wench. Each step up the ladder, I slide the ascender up as well. If the ladder does break, I'll only fall a foot at most.
I didn't make my mast ladder. I have a Cap'tain Al's. It is sewn webbing AND it has PVC pieces on each step. This holds the steps out to easily get your feet in and is a much more stable step.
I dont know after building and using the aframe to lower the mast I thingk its easier to lower it. Take your time and much lower risk. But I guess if your out there and have to fix a light or something its handy. Maybe we need both.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.