Could someone please describe the best and safest procedure to replace the masthead light on a CD25. This is my first non-trailer sailer, and I've never climbed a mast before, so please don't assume I know anything about doing this at all!
TIA,
Chris
P.S.
Lauched last Saturday for first real sail ever aboard '82 CD25 "Pilgrim," who underwent a pretty serious go-over the last few months on the hard. She sat in the water for the last seven years with zero maintenence, and needed some serious TLC when purchased last fall. Thanks to the CDOA board here, I was able to find almost all of the info necessary to tackle the jobs from barrier-coating to brightwork finishing competently, and much more easily. She handled great, and on some blustery puffs we even got to briefly put the lee rail awash - Awesome!
cnauta2@towson.edu
Masthead light replacement
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Boyd Bundy
Re: Masthead light replacement
Its a long way up there....C. Nauta wrote: Could someone please describe the best and safest procedure to replace the masthead light on a CD25. This is my first non-trailer sailer, and I've never climbed a mast before, so please don't assume I know anything about doing this at all!
TIA,
Chris
P.S.
Lauched last Saturday for first real sail ever aboard '82 CD25 "Pilgrim," who underwent a pretty serious go-over the last few months on the hard. She sat in the water for the last seven years with zero maintenence, and needed some serious TLC when purchased last fall. Thanks to the CDOA board here, I was able to find almost all of the info necessary to tackle the jobs from barrier-coating to brightwork finishing competently, and much more easily. She handled great, and on some blustery puffs we even got to briefly put the lee rail awash - Awesome!
I recently did some maintenance on my mast head light... 46 feet in the air and here is how I did it.
I had two friends who happen to be my business partners work the jib winch below. I hooked a west marine diaper type bosans seat up to the jib halyard and my friends hoisted me up. I attached a 5' safety line to the fitting at the mast head when I got up there. Feels good to know that there is someone around should either I get stuck at the top or worse.... I made sure the ground crew was not directly under me in case I dropped a tool. I checked all of the stays for cracked fittings before assending. The two guys below would probably not like what I would do if a stay broke while I was aloft.
It was not nearly as scarry at the top as I thought it would be. I recommend a day with little wind and no wave action. Also go to the bathroom first..
Go slow and be careful...
Boyd Bundy
tern30@aol.com
-
Ken Coit
Prusik Knot
Got a chuckle out of that final suggestion.
As for the following, I accept no responsibility for the reliability of the methodology, the description, or the knot, but I offer it for your careful consideration.
It seems to me that a safety line might also be useful on the way up and down to protect against simple human failure or disgruntled partners. My dad, back in the dark ages, used to work in trees at dizzying heights. Then, they used a knot which slipped if gripped and stop slipping when released. I use is a lot for adjusting looped lines. Ashley's apparently doesn't show the Prusik knot, but the link will give you a description of how to tie it and how to use it to climb masts. Basically, two halyards are used with Prusik knots to slide foot loops and the bos'ns chair lanyard
The best part is that if something does happen to your competence while aloft, the deck crew ought to be able to lower you without your help by simpling easing off on the halyards; Be certain they are long enough or can be supplemented in such an emergency. Internal halyards could be a problem. If you tie yourself off after reaching the top of the mast, only a helicopter, crane or deck ape is going to be of much help if you need it.
Safe climbing please!
Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC
parfait@nc.rr.com
As for the following, I accept no responsibility for the reliability of the methodology, the description, or the knot, but I offer it for your careful consideration.
It seems to me that a safety line might also be useful on the way up and down to protect against simple human failure or disgruntled partners. My dad, back in the dark ages, used to work in trees at dizzying heights. Then, they used a knot which slipped if gripped and stop slipping when released. I use is a lot for adjusting looped lines. Ashley's apparently doesn't show the Prusik knot, but the link will give you a description of how to tie it and how to use it to climb masts. Basically, two halyards are used with Prusik knots to slide foot loops and the bos'ns chair lanyard
The best part is that if something does happen to your competence while aloft, the deck crew ought to be able to lower you without your help by simpling easing off on the halyards; Be certain they are long enough or can be supplemented in such an emergency. Internal halyards could be a problem. If you tie yourself off after reaching the top of the mast, only a helicopter, crane or deck ape is going to be of much help if you need it.
Safe climbing please!
Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC
Boyd Bundy wrote:C. Nauta wrote: Could someone please describe the best and safest procedure to replace the masthead light on a CD25. This is my first non-trailer sailer, and I've never climbed a mast before, so please don't assume I know anything about doing this at all!
TIA,
Chris
P.S.
Lauched last Saturday for first real sail ever aboard '82 CD25 "Pilgrim," who underwent a pretty serious go-over the last few months on the hard. She sat in the water for the last seven years with zero maintenence, and needed some serious TLC when purchased last fall. Thanks to the CDOA board here, I was able to find almost all of the info necessary to tackle the jobs from barrier-coating to brightwork finishing competently, and much more easily. She handled great, and on some blustery puffs we even got to briefly put the lee rail awash - Awesome!
Its a long way up there....
I recently did some maintenance on my mast head light... 46 feet in the air and here is how I did it.
I had two friends who happen to be my business partners work the jib winch below. I hooked a west marine diaper type bosans seat up to the jib halyard and my friends hoisted me up. I attached a 5' safety line to the fitting at the mast head when I got up there. Feels good to know that there is someone around should either I get stuck at the top or worse.... I made sure the ground crew was not directly under me in case I dropped a tool. I checked all of the stays for cracked fittings before assending. The two guys below would probably not like what I would do if a stay broke while I was aloft.
It was not nearly as scarry at the top as I thought it would be. I recommend a day with little wind and no wave action. Also go to the bathroom first..
Go slow and be careful...
Boyd Bundy
parfait@nc.rr.com
-
Neil Gordon
Re: Prusik Knot
I did a 100' climb up a cave shaft using three slings attached to the climbing rope with prusik knots. It was reasonably efficient, with two leg slings and a chest sling. The knots slide easily but bite tightly under strain. It's essentially a moving ladder... raise up one leg, slide the knot up and then stand. Then the other side. The chest sling is just to keep you from falling over and dangling upside down. With a little practice, it's a quick climb.
Climbing a mast, I'd opt for putting the leg slings on separate halyards and go with two chest slings, one on each. Oh... and if you raise the halyards first and then get stuck aloft, it's easy for someone to lower you down.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
Climbing a mast, I'd opt for putting the leg slings on separate halyards and go with two chest slings, one on each. Oh... and if you raise the halyards first and then get stuck aloft, it's easy for someone to lower you down.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
-
Ken Coit
Re: Prusik Knot
Neil,
Good point about extending and raising those halyards first, giving even more assurance that the wherewithal is ready at a moment's notice to lower the climber. It would be easier to assure compatibility between a dedicated halyard extensions and the slings for an effective Prusik. I also like the idea of using two halyards for the climb with a chest and foot sling to each one; that seems to make more sense than an inactive and untested backup.
Thanks for sharing your climbing experience.
Ken
parfait@nc.rr.com
Good point about extending and raising those halyards first, giving even more assurance that the wherewithal is ready at a moment's notice to lower the climber. It would be easier to assure compatibility between a dedicated halyard extensions and the slings for an effective Prusik. I also like the idea of using two halyards for the climb with a chest and foot sling to each one; that seems to make more sense than an inactive and untested backup.
Thanks for sharing your climbing experience.
Ken
Neil Gordon wrote: I did a 100' climb up a cave shaft using three slings attached to the climbing rope with prusik knots. It was reasonably efficient, with two leg slings and a chest sling. The knots slide easily but bite tightly under strain. It's essentially a moving ladder... raise up one leg, slide the knot up and then stand. Then the other side. The chest sling is just to keep you from falling over and dangling upside down. With a little practice, it's a quick climb.
Climbing a mast, I'd opt for putting the leg slings on separate halyards and go with two chest slings, one on each. Oh... and if you raise the halyards first and then get stuck aloft, it's easy for someone to lower you down.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
parfait@nc.rr.com