"cavelamb himself" wrote in message
news:xnQvi.2410$jy5.679@trnddc07...
Wayne.B wrote:

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:15:26 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:


But, if it doesn't have mast steps installed you'll have to do that
first because replacing standing rigging one wire at a time involves
many trips up the mast.



Yeahbut...

If you are going to replace them all anyway, why not drop the mast.
Now we can get to the mast electrical wiring too.

And inspect and replace any fittings that look iffy...

And all the nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

Seems a quicker and easier way to go.

IF there is a crane handy...


Cranes are expensive. And how long are you going to have to sit in the
yard paying out the wazoo daily while you're working on the rigging. You
can do your own rigging while anchored or moored and it costs nothing
but your time and labor. Not only that but it's safer. At any rate, mast
steps are necessary.

But, if you desire to re-do the internal wiring, and possibly sheaves
and running rigging and standing rigging all at the same time, lowering
the mast might be the way to go.

Any cruising boat should have mast steps. Unlike what Wayne B said about
them, the right kind of steps don't foul halyards and don't rip sails.
Get the folding steps. They are the best. You can install them yourself
with simple tools one at a times using the one you just installed to
stand on to install the next one. When cruising you need a way to get to
the masthead for inspections and repairs and you need to go to the
masthead frequently. It's foolish to have no way to inspect, repair,
install systems at the masthead.

http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=81324F

Wilbur Hubbard