Use a ladder to attach/remove your boom

Newsgroups Archive Prior to 2025
1

Hello -

Last week it was 90 degrees F. outside. Now, it’s 38 … so sad.

This is a response to a comment by John Gialanella (NS22 Tourmaline). He wrote “I wish I had a second halyard to use as a safety line when I go aloft to attach/remove the wishboom each season. With a single halyard, my only safety is a leg-death-grip around the mast.”

John - Most of us just use a short extension ladder, tied at the top to the mast (and at the bottom, also to prevent the ladder from sliding or kicking out). I, like you, sail an NS22 and can perform all kinds of work carefully and safely at the top of a ladder. I feel way more comfy and solid than if I was in a bosun’s chair (even WITH a safety line). I am attaching a drawing that I did a while ago that shows my ladder “in action”. Tied properly, it’s a rock-solid way to do/undo this job.

Worth a try - anything to get out of a risky “trapeze artist” gig.

Ernie A. in Toronto

(attachments)

ladder.jpg
ladder.jpg1700×2200 265 KB

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Great sketch Ernie, are there no limits to your talents ?? That’s exactly what I do on my 30C, although I’m only 84, so it might be a bit of a stretch for some you older guys.

Alan Steward
30C # 144 MagnifiCat
Loyalist Cave Marina
N 44 10.900
W 076 45.800

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Al -

I think that you just may be one year too old to be doing this. You would be permitted if you took oxygen up there with you, though.

A lot of people who know me know, all too well, that there are BIG limits to my “talents”. But, like most of us, I can put a small ladder up and do ths job quickly.

Just like you, Al !!

Ernie A. in Toronto

4

Actually Ernie, a large scotch after the job is done works for me, save the oxygen for when I really do need it. (Kristina just said that won’t be long now !)

Regards,

Al

5

Looks well worth trying (although admittedly at 68 I find myself trying to decide what to make of the number of 80+ year-olds who look at me and assume I’m their age or older).

A few quick questions about this approach:

  1. Does it work for everything, or do you find that you have to have to place the ladder on the front of the mast for reaching lights, boom choker block, etc?
  2. Do you have a clever way of tying the ladder to the mast at the top before you go up, or do you first climb the ladder and then do the tying up?
  3. Tying the ladder off to the mast at the bottom seems good for keeping it from sliding out, but should someone doing this have any worries about sideways slippage?

Thanks,

– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch 26U #233

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The older you get the smarter you must become.
Raise the ladder with the halyard. Lash base and climb to the top. Lash apex. Release halyard from ladder and lift boom with it. Unsnap all lines and stow within. Connect halyard to boom and lower to deck.
Does that sound right?
Is that what you’re saying Earnie?
Brian
Boat-less in New England

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I use a V Pole Grip Rung at the top of my extension ladder. It just bolts onto the top of the ladder in pre-drilled holes.

This is Werner’s version, but other ladder makers have them too. There’s no price listed on their website https://www.wernerco.com/us/products/ladders/ladder-accessories/71Series/71-1, but I think I paid around $50.

It works great, and keeps the ladder from shifting side to side. I tie off too, of course, but it is pretty solid on its own.

Tim Cordes
Nonsuch 26C #32 “ENCORE”
Grosse Ile, Michigan

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I was able to reach my nav light from the ladder. I think I might be able to reach the masthead light, too, but I haven’t tried. I would be up at the tippy top of the ladder for that one. I use a fall harness I put on the main halyard with a mountaineering rope clutch when working way up there (and when the halyard isn’t holding up the boom).

Tim Cordes
Nonsuch 26C #32 “ENCORE”
Grosse Ile, Michigan

9

I would add a little leather to those mast teeth.
The mast will love it.
Brian
Boat-less in New England

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Being somewhat more adventurous, I have my first officer (wife) stand on the bottom rung of the ladder when I scoot up and place a lashing around the mast above the choker block. Then she is released from duty (to go make coffee) while I use the halyard to hoist up the boom. The whole job is done by the time the coffee’s ready.

Alan Steward
30C # 144
MagnifiCat
Loyalist Cove Marina
Bath, Ontario

11

I support the use of the V-pole grip rung. I made my own (long story) and the ladder rung sits into the mast track.

I raise the boom with the halyard, eyeballing the height so it’s bit “too high” (like 1’). I carefully place the ladder in position as shown on my nifty diagram and tie a line from the bottom rung/ladder rails to the mast so the ladder won’t “scoot back”. As it is, it is sitting against the forward hatch which helps. I stand on the bottom rung and, if nice and steady, climb the minimum distance to be able to tie the top to the mast. NO bungy cords !! Good solid line. That ladder ain’t moving and I’ve worked on it in high winds with the boat rocking. And, yes, it would be better if someone footed the ladder on my first ascent to tie the top but … I’ll never have an accident (he dumbly said).

So, the ladder is solid and, as the boom is a bit “high”, the hanger lines are slack and are a breeze to shackle up. Next, with a short piece of line, I tie one end to the front of the boom (but not in the way of the choker block on the boom). Then, I pull the boom back and tie the other end of this line so the front of the boom is rather close to the mast. THEN, I run in my whole choker line set-up without having to reach and yank the boom, etc. Pulling the boom back and closer to me on the ladder only took me 8 years to figure out. It works beautifully. THEN, once it’s all rigged, I remove the short piece of line and the boom slides forward into its correct position.

Next, back to the cockpit and ease out the main halyard so the boom hangs properly from the hanger lines. Then, I undo the bridle and drop the halyard. Then, if it’s ALL good, I remove the ladder.

On an NS22, it’s a piece of cake. I’m just a young pup (76 years old) so this is, sincerely, a walk in the park that takes no time. On a bigger boat with a MUCH heavier boom and, possibly, a higher “height” where the boom crosses the mast, maybe it’s more tricky but, honestly, I don’t think so. Hell, if AL can do it on a bigger boat at HIS age … well …

All of that said, there is NO excuse for me not having someone to hold/foot the ladder on my initial ascent so no need to go there. I will change that - I swear to it.

So that you know, all you lucky Southern sailors, we Northerners have to do all of this nonsense twice per year and I’ll bet dollars to a plate of poutine that most of us use ladders for this entire operation.

Poutine Canadian GIF - Poutine Canadian Fries - Discover ...Does this look good or what ???

Ernie A. in Toronto (where the poutine is but a bland and institutional copy of the real McCoy from my hometown of Montreal)

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I’ve dropped my wishbone at least 5 times and have helped several other Nonsuch 30 owners. Always used a ladder.

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA