klb67pgh
Member III
Candidly having worked my way through a few seasons of to-do lists since getting our E25 in August 2020, I'm starting to look at lower priority upgrades to the boat, equipment, and me. At some point, I think it would be prudent to have the gear necessary to get myself aloft should the need arise. I'm interested to know if may, most, or only a few of you, have that capability currently.
After a fair bit of research on options, I've decided I want the capability to climb the mast solo - I don't want to have to rely on someone winching me up. In part, it allows me to control 100% of the risk factor. I'm probably going to use a climbing harness, perhaps dedicated climbing rope but have the option to climb my existing main halyard (with genoa or spinnaker as a backup), and some combination of yet to be determined ascenders, foot straps, prusik loop, etc. Allen Edwards's work at L-36.com was among the resources I consulted - you should be aware of that page/resource if you are not. If nothing else, for the soft shackle resources. I will likely consult a friend who is an experienced climber on some of that gear.
I'm likely an unusual case, given that I have an E25 with a tabernacle, and sail on an inland lake. For a non emergency maintenance issue, currently I would probably be inclined to head to my dock, go get my trailer from storage, and pull the boat, and drop the mast. Or maybe drop it on the water (I haven't done that, but think it would be doable). But I have plans to sail my boat on Erie for a week or two next summer, and hopefully other trips on bigger water. A wrapped halyard or lost halyard would be an unfortunate reason to have to find a marina and rigger.
So with that - are you equipped to go aloft? Do you have a harness you like? I'm not inclined to get both a bosun's chair and a harness, although I recognize that would be the most comfortable and most redundancy. My climb is only 30' up and I think a comfortable harness will work fine.
After a fair bit of research on options, I've decided I want the capability to climb the mast solo - I don't want to have to rely on someone winching me up. In part, it allows me to control 100% of the risk factor. I'm probably going to use a climbing harness, perhaps dedicated climbing rope but have the option to climb my existing main halyard (with genoa or spinnaker as a backup), and some combination of yet to be determined ascenders, foot straps, prusik loop, etc. Allen Edwards's work at L-36.com was among the resources I consulted - you should be aware of that page/resource if you are not. If nothing else, for the soft shackle resources. I will likely consult a friend who is an experienced climber on some of that gear.
I'm likely an unusual case, given that I have an E25 with a tabernacle, and sail on an inland lake. For a non emergency maintenance issue, currently I would probably be inclined to head to my dock, go get my trailer from storage, and pull the boat, and drop the mast. Or maybe drop it on the water (I haven't done that, but think it would be doable). But I have plans to sail my boat on Erie for a week or two next summer, and hopefully other trips on bigger water. A wrapped halyard or lost halyard would be an unfortunate reason to have to find a marina and rigger.
So with that - are you equipped to go aloft? Do you have a harness you like? I'm not inclined to get both a bosun's chair and a harness, although I recognize that would be the most comfortable and most redundancy. My climb is only 30' up and I think a comfortable harness will work fine.