Climbing the mast

[Lee Kaufman]

I recently read about Sir Francis Chichester circling the globe in Gipsy Moth IV. Very interesting read. At some point he mentioned having to go up the mast. Does anyone have insight into how a singlehander would go up their mast while at sea? Seems like it would be a shaky operation.

[Neil Gordon]

Going aloft alone eliminates the option of being winched up. So you need to climb. There are a number of options: mast steps, ladders that fit the mast track, several methods of climbing a halyard. We've discussed them here and a search might find some of the ways.

Going aloft at sea pretty much removes the stable platform you get when you do the same thing in a marina. Be prepared to get whipped about the higher you go. I'd think that heaving to for stability might be a good idea.

Most important when aloft at sea alone is to not lose your ability to get back down! With any method and with any numbe of helpers, redundant attachment points are a good idea.

[Carter Brey]

As someone who much prefers unassisted mast climbing, I thought I'd throw in my hat (put in my oar, pick your favorite metaphor).

I use the Mast Mate:

http://www.mastmate.com/

and, following a City Island rigger's tip, I belay myself to a spare tightened halyard with a tether connected to a mountaineering ascender:

http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_deta ... 4488340843

I've also used this excellent product from the U.K.:

http://www.hurst-marine.co.uk/

In any case, a harness and helmet are always a good idea. Some folks add a life jacket as insurance against bruising.

I love the view from up there.

Carter Brey
Sabre 28 MkII #532 "Delphine"
City Island, NY

[drysuit2]

I like that Mast Mate. Maybe one is in my future.

Meanwhile, I attach a static line to one of my halyards, and use a pair of Petzl ascenders. One on my waist harness, and one on some webbing with loops, so I climb with my leg power.

I think there is a commercial version called the topclimber.
http://www.atninc.com/topclimber.html

I basically copied it.

[Doug Gibson]

I have the Top Climber and am reasonably satisfied with it. It took me a little practice to coordinate the body motions/leg pushes with the movement of the rope ascenders. It basically requires an additional halyard to rig (but never hurts to have a spare on-board).

What ever system you choose, make sure it allows you to climb high enough to work on the masthead. I've found I can get my shoulders about 18-24" above the masthead with the Top Climber.