Hello,
Does anyone know what the maximum weight the mast can support?
I need to climb it to change the wind vane/anemometer. I have a calfat chair, and an electric capstan.
Are there any specific precautions for the NonSuch?
David R-L
S/Y Kilredenn 2 - NS30U #468
BRITTANY - FR
Original aluminum mast
David R-L
S/Y Kilredenn 2 - NS30U #468
BRITTANY - FR
I’ve been hoisted up my mast without problems for over 20 years using my electric halyard winch..
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I just had my repaired anemometer installed and the tech was hoisted up using the electric winch with no problems at all just like on Joe’s boat.
Mark Nerenhausen
Cloud Hidden
Nonsuch 30U
New Bern, NC
Hi -
I use an ATN Mast Climber now (used to use a rock climbing harness attached to a halyard) which is used by securing the end of the halyard at the deck level, making the halyard taut, and then working your way up the halyard (works very well and is comfortable - I was once up the mast for over 2 hours).
I weigh (dressed) about 155lbs (71Kg) plus another few pounds for the weight of the climbing unit so let’s say 160lbs (73Kg), plus whatever tools I carry up with me. There has never been any indication that the mast didn’t like the weight, even at the very top… no excess movement of the mast, unless the wind strength increased a lot, and then it was probably me being blown around a bit and not so much the mast moving. At least this has been my experience…
Good luck with the project!
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
now in Stamford, CT!
Apologies - forgot to include:
I usually tie a line around the mast to whichever device I am using to climb the mast (bosun chair, climbing harness, ATN Climber). Tie to one side of the climbing unit, pass around the mast, and then tie to the opposite side of the climbing unit. As there are no stays on a Nonsuch mast, there isn’t anything to grab on to to prevent you from swing away from the mast. This line will help keep you in place, so you won’t need to wrap your legs around the mast to steady yourself (gets tiring if you are up there for any length of time).
My boat has two halyards. I do wrap the 2nd halyard around my torso and have someone take up the slack on the winch, as a precaution against the something on the primary gear failing.
Also make sure all of your tools are secured to you (or at least that the bag you use to carry them up is secured to you and is deep enough to keep the tools in it)… a wrench, socket, pliers etc can make a nasty crack or hole in the deck when falling from about 50ft (15mt), or makes an upsetting splash if it hits the water and sinks to the bottom (if you are doing this when not on the hard).
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
Stamford, CT
Hi David
Best practice would be to use the burgee halyard block as a safety line. Run a 3/8 halyard through that and have someone on deck dedicated to controlling that line while someone else hoists you up on the main halyard (assuming it’s in great condition) At my heaviest I was 210 lbs with no issues. Once you’re up there remind those on deck to move very gingerly with a forewarning.
Cheers
Mike Quill
I know it is obvious, but please ensure that your support lines are new. I have seen the terminal results of a line failure. You need a safety line and both lines should not be aged or frayed.
Peter Moodie
Catalyst Nonsuch 30U #366
Sidney, BC/Winnipeg, MB
Like Peter Grabow I tie a line around the mast when going up. I tie it to my safety harness, take it around the mast and back to the harness. The line high enough on the harness so if I fall I will not invert and go down head first. The line stops a person from falling free of the mast. Friction will slow your descent and give you an opportunity to gain control. It will hurt but the line should stop the fall when it gets to the boom hangers.
Mark Powers
When I first acquired Nocturne I installed second sheave at the masthead for a back-up halyard. That way , I can still hoist sail if the primary halyard fails or escapes up the mast. It also acts as a safety line if I (or someone else) has to ascend the mast for a repair. I’d never send someone up top without one.
Barry Connell
N36 Nocturne
Newburyport, MA