I’m a relatively new owner of a Nonsuch 26. I bought the boat about a year ago. And my wife and I absolutely love it.
Anyway, I want to get up the mast so I can clean years of accumulated dirt on the wishbone. Should I have any concerns about using a bosuns chair on an unstayed mast?
About two months ago I used an A TN top climber to change streaming light and to say I did it. Went very smoothly. Next stop the top. Btw in 6’ 205#
Hi Dan,
I know that a few have done it w/o incident on a 26, but wimp that I am, I wouldn’t trust my 200 lbs to the single halyard, old blocks and sheaves. A 2nd halyard as a safety line would be my requirement. That being said, I have reluctantly hauled a 165 lb crew up to the mast joint in a bosun’s chair.
I have used an extension ladder, (12 or 14 ft?) I’ve braced the feet against the cabin top aft of the mast and went up high enough to open the hanger shackles to lower the wishbone. That might also be high enough to clean the wishbone in place, or lower it to the deck get at all sides easily.
The ladder is a little risky too as it stands too close to vertical. One has to somewhat hug the mast while ascending, and then securely lash it at the top rung to prevent it from sliding to one side or the other. The top rung is the only part of the ladder in contact w the mast, and only with the sail track.
I’m sure you’ll be getting other opinions/suggestions. Good Luck
Al Donaghy
N26 19 EllenM
To Whom it May Concern,
I’m sorry you didn’t sign your post or I would have addresses you by name… please note my signature below as an example of what you might consider using in future postings.
First, welcome to the Nonsuch community and congratulations on your “relatively” new Nonsuch 26… every Nonsuch is a great boat and you should have years of enjoyment with yours.
There is no problem using a bosons chair with the un-stayed mast on a Nonsuch as long as your halyard will handle the load, not to exceed a few hundred pounds of course… don’t know what you weigh but the average person below roughly 250lbs should be OK. If your halyard is as old as the crud on your wishbone you may want to consider replacing it or rigging a back-up halyard as a safety precaution.
If all you want to do is clean the wishbone that can be accomplished using a telescoping ladder placed on the cabin top and propped against the inside of the wishbone… secure the wishbone with a tightened mainsheet and another line fastened to one rear corner of the boat, your choice. This same ladder can also be used to assist in taking the wishbone down, by raising the wishbone with your halyard and the telescoping ladder placed against the aft side of the mast between the insides of the wishbone you can unfasten the hangers and chocker pennant in preparation for lowering the wishbone.
I’m sure you’ll get many more replies that may have different and perhaps better solutions to your question… good luck and happy boating.
Regards,
Dick (& Shirley) Darrow
“Cativa”, NS30U #496
Sodus Bay, NY USA
One thing I forgot to mention is that ATN now has a newer model that clips onto halyard with out having to rig a new line.
Captain J
SV Phunsuch / Nonsuch 26 Ultra #200
Hi Al,
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post. You’ve been very helpful.
Kind regards,
Dan (& Penny) Carnrite
Cold Water Morning NS26 #30
Langley, BC, Canada
Hi Dick,
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post. You’ve been very helpful.
Kind regards,
Dan (& Penny) Carnrite
Cold Water Morning NS26 #30
Langley, BC, Canada
Hi John,
Thanks. The ATN is an impressive piece of equipment, I think I’m going to have to get one of them.
Kind regards,
Dan
Cold Water Morning NS28, #30
Here is a link to the nonsuch photo gallery with a picture of me at the top of the mast on La Reina, 26c. http://www.pbase.com/nonsuch/image/120483402
The dodger prevents a full swing on the winch handle so it was hard work for those taking me up. I have used a 4:1 block and tackle arrangement with a ratchet block to go up as well. This was very tiring for me. I have not used ascenders. Many riggers recommend a separate line that you hoist on the halyard and then use the ascenders on the separate line. Some ascenders are hard on the halyard.
If you are using ascenders you should use a harness and make sure you have rigged it properly so that you don’t invert. Inversion is when things go wrong and your feet end up on top and your head at the bottom. This is more likely to occur if the top ascender is attached too low in relation to your body, i.e., near your waist instead of closure to your chest. La Reina does not have a second halyard but her current halyard is new and low stretch. The safe working load is much greater than my 180 pounds. Most riggers recommend tying a bowline rather than relying on the shackle. I use a short line around the mast similar to that described by Zan. When you go up the mast you should find a cheek block on the side of the mast. Run a small line through this and back to the deck. There after you will be able to run a second halyard up the mast when you need to go up. That is the safer way to go.
When you get to the top you will find that the mast taper has reduced the diameter to about a 5 inches. This makes it ihard to steady yourself, especially if you are trying to reach the masthead instruments. When big people get off and on the boat you get quite a ride. If you look down at those times you will see water, deck, dock, deck, water until she settles down.
The most important thing about going up the mast is coming down safely.
Mark Powers & Nesta Davies
La Reina 26C
Burrard Civic Marina
Vancouver, B.C.