Ok sailors, friends, and peanut gallery. The time has come to climb the mast. I have a cross tree support that is flopping in the breeze. Debbie just had a spinal fusion and is currently out of commission so I needed to figure out a way up the mast solo.  At my disposal was one ascender, 4:1 block and pulley, climbers harness bosum’s chair, and and auto belay device. I attempted the block, tackle, and chair to no avail. Sadly Christmas weight has taken it’s toll. Rigging the ascender failed because I rigged the belay device to my harness when I should have rigged the top ascender so I went no where. I’m including a link to a,” Good Old Boat”, article of the right way to do it and I will report back my findings as I plan to try the different techniques. Oh I think I’ll check on my life insurance first! Next Amsteel blue and the brummel splice.

Good Old Boat link

 Video link of me going up the mast

I settled on a climbers approach to going up the mast although I still want to try Brian Toss’s technique of a three to one with an ascender attached to a harness. My system is to connect the main halyard to 50’ of static climbing line with a grapevine knot and haul that aloft. I then connect one ascender to a daisy chain to my harness and then a second ascender I rig a foot loop out of webbing for both my feet. This ascender is placed below the first on the static line and is also attached to the harness with a cow’s tail. All carabineers are of the locking type. This allows me to inch worm my way up the mast alternating from standing on the loop and sitting on the harness while sliding up the opposite ascender. What I like about this system is that when I’m done I can switch to my belay device and rapidly descend the mast.  Next I will be replacing the running back stays so I still want to try Brian’s system.

The newest item of safety gear is the Jordan series drogue. I’m a fan of ,”The Simple Sailor”, and have read several very persuading first hand accounts of the use of this device. For these reasons I have decided to add the Jordan drogue to my safety equipment inventory. Not to mention I needed a good winter project I could do from home. I ordered the kit from Sailrite to avoid the having to cut the 116 required cones and I couldn’t seem to find the required rope for less.

I sold my old faithful LS-1 Sailrite sewing machine on Ebay and purchased a new LSZ-1 machine for the job. The LSZ-1 is capable of doing a zig zag stitch witch is required when working on sails. I must say I enjoyed my Ebay experience and have been able to sell enough stuff to pay for the new machine.

The first step is to cut 348 30” lengths of ¾” nylon webbing that I will then sew to 116 sail cloth cones and then attach to 277 ft of rope. This will ride off the stern of Sosiego and prevent capsize from breaking waves during a bad storm. Let the work begin.

link to video

2/11/13 the cones are all attached and now its time to make the bridle that will attach it to the boat. The instructions call for ¾ inch line 2 ½ times the width of the stern. I’ve ordered the line from West Marine and will get spicing as soon as it arrives. I just have to figure where to store it. Maybe some deep dark locker? I hoe to never need it but I’m glad to have the insurance it provides.