It Was a Great Day From the Top of the Mast

Today was a work day and practice for one of the boats that I sail on.  We were testing out rigging and sails that hadn’t been used in a while.  That included re-taping spreaders and cleaning up things attached to the mast.

 

Let me tell you that I have a huge fear of heights — well, it’s a fear of falling, actually.  But, I usually go up the mast — for a couple of reasons.  One of those reasons is to challenge myself to keep the fear of heights from getting the best of me.  Also,  I’m one of the lighter crew members willing to go and get the jobs done.

 

Annapolis from the Mast 2

View From the Mast

 

After my trip up the mast today; I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned over the years.

    • When people people go up the mast, I typically see two methods being used — going up in a bosun’s chair or going up in a harness.  I have my own climbing harness, and prefer to use that to go up.  I know that harness well; and it feels secure to me.  When I’ve gone up using a bosun’s chair, I feel like I’m going to slide out of the chair because it’s got a lot of room.
    • When I put my harness on, I use a double figure eight knot like climbers use.  I also use a second halyard as a back up if possible.  Be careful to choose your halyard(s) wisely.  You want them both to come out of the mast at the same place (height and side).  If you want to know more about that double figure eight, here’s a YouTube video to help explain.

    • I also hang most of my tools and supplies from my harness.  To me, it’s easier to get to them on my harness than it is if I try to put them in my pockets. I also include a mesh bag as one of the things attached.  I use it for trash or anything that I need to discard when I’m aloft (like the paper release liner on some kinds of tape).
Esterle Ready to Go Up Mast

Do you see all the stuff attached to my harness? Tape, camera, mesh bag, etc. (photo by J. Schiroff)

    • If you think you will need something up there, take it with you.  I know this seems obvious, but it’s easy to grab something while on deck.  That gets much harder if you realize that you need something while you’re up the mast.  I’m specifically thinking about tape — take twice as much as you think you’ll need.  It gets interesting when crew members are trying to tie things to a halyard and send them up to you.
Esterle - Taping Spreaders

Taping the spreaders so they don't chafe the sails. (photo by J. Schiroff)

    • Watch out if you wrap your leg or ankle around the shrouds when you’re being raised or lowered.  Sometimes, I will do this for stability or leverage.  However, its also a really easy way to get a friction burn if you’re being raised or lowered.
Esterle - Up the Mast

Up the mast -- watch out if you brace your leg or ankle around a shroud (photo by J. Schiroff)

  • Watch out, you could get numb while you’re up there.  You will be putting pressure on muscles and nerves in an unusual way.  If you stay numb too long, it could result in nerve damage.  That’s no fun.  Be careful (ask me about the pinched nerve that I got while sleeping on deck a couple of years ago).
Annapolis from the Mast 1

View From the Mast