"Capt. JG" wrote in message
news:QbOdnQMaO9zYr4_VnZ2dnUVZ_remnZ2d@bayareasolut ions...
Actually, there's an interesting possibility in the marina where I keep
my
boat. Of course, I'd have to do it off-hours, but it might be worth a
shot. They have a crane that they use for hoisting the racing fleet boats
into the water from dry storage. The deck where the crane sits is above
the level of my mast. While I can't get right under the platform for a
direct look down onto the masthead, I can get within 10 feet of directly
below it.

So, an idea... take the business end of the halyard and bring it with me
to the platform, with the other end cleated. I only have to move the mast
10 feet off center to get the masthead within reach. Tie off the halyard,
then do the maintenance. The issue would be not to damage the spreaders
during the operation. I don't think I would be putting a lot of strain on
the sheave with that little amount of heel. I think I just need to fender
up, so I don't damage the side of the boat.


Use the spinnaker halyard because that will be able to swivel to take the
side loading