Most sailors take their equipment maintenance very seriously. I know I do.
One place that's infrequently visited is the masthead, and I'm wondering if
you have any pictures of this vital area of your standing rigging. The last
time I had someone go aloft (sorry, I'm not interested), I forgot to give
her a camera, so all I have are these pics from the ground:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SailNOW....49224613496610.
(Everything was fine or was when she left, and no, I'm not the guy in the
picture.)

Do you have pictures of your masthead hardware (not scenery, but the actual
masthead)? How do you know your sheaves are still in good shape? Do you
regularly lubricate them?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:29:36 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

Most sailors take their equipment maintenance very seriously. I know I do.
One place that's infrequently visited is the masthead, and I'm wondering
if
you have any pictures of this vital area of your standing rigging. The
last
time I had someone go aloft (sorry, I'm not interested), I forgot to give
her a camera, so all I have are these pics from the ground:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SailNOW....49224613496610.
(Everything was fine or was when she left, and no, I'm not the guy in the
picture.)

Do you have pictures of your masthead hardware (not scenery, but the
actual
masthead)? How do you know your sheaves are still in good shape? Do you
regularly lubricate them?

I always pull the mast in the fall, and go over it every spring as
part of commissioning. On my mast, it's a very simple matter to remove
the sheaves so you can really get a good look at them, clean them and
re-lubricate. I wouldn't be able to do that while suspended by two of
the halyards which are on those sheaves.

With the mast down, I can also slide the shroud/stay heads out of
their cups to inspect both. I add some lanacote to the cups. Same with
inspecting the spreaders and the tangs. I feel I can do a better job
on the ground, and if something needs fixing, I don't have to make
several trips up and down in the bosun's seat.

If I was in the water year round, I would probably consider pulling
the mast periodically anyway for a more complete going over, cleaning
and lubricating than can be done in the air.



Pulling the mast isn't an option for me. The only realistic way to service
the masthead is to get up there (aka hire someone to do it).

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:08:04 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

wrote in message
. ..
On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:29:36 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

Most sailors take their equipment maintenance very seriously. I know I
do.
One place that's infrequently visited is the masthead, and I'm wondering
if
you have any pictures of this vital area of your standing rigging. The
last
time I had someone go aloft (sorry, I'm not interested), I forgot to
give
her a camera, so all I have are these pics from the ground:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SailNOW....49224613496610.
(Everything was fine or was when she left, and no, I'm not the guy in
the
picture.)

Do you have pictures of your masthead hardware (not scenery, but the
actual
masthead)? How do you know your sheaves are still in good shape? Do you
regularly lubricate them?

I always pull the mast in the fall, and go over it every spring as
part of commissioning. On my mast, it's a very simple matter to remove
the sheaves so you can really get a good look at them, clean them and
re-lubricate. I wouldn't be able to do that while suspended by two of
the halyards which are on those sheaves.

With the mast down, I can also slide the shroud/stay heads out of
their cups to inspect both. I add some lanacote to the cups. Same with
inspecting the spreaders and the tangs. I feel I can do a better job
on the ground, and if something needs fixing, I don't have to make
several trips up and down in the bosun's seat.

If I was in the water year round, I would probably consider pulling
the mast periodically anyway for a more complete going over, cleaning
and lubricating than can be done in the air.



Pulling the mast isn't an option for me. The only realistic way to service
the masthead is to get up there (aka hire someone to do it).

I forgot to mention: I actually like going up the mast, and do it as
often as I can find an excuse and someone to crank me up there. I
don't like ladders much, but the bosun's chair doesn't bother me at
all.

I still think I can do a much better job of maintenance on the ground
for the reasons mentioned. Isn't there a yard anywhere near you with a
crane? If you got everything ready, and took care of disconnecting and
reconnecting everything, this can be a one day adventure.



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.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"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

"Edgar" wrote in message
...

"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



Good suggestion! It's actually more than15 feet... it would be the dock size
+ 1/2 the boat beam, so about 15 feet. I guess I shouldn't tie off the
docklines too tightly. LOL


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I agree with Salty. The mast should come down every year. There's just
too much important stuff up there.

Try calling some sign companies. They have long reach cranes that can
lift just about what the mast on a boat under 35 feet weights. Often,
they will be looking for some fill in work and, not being in the marine
business, their prices may be lower. I had mine taken down by a sign
company in Detroit for $110 and I wasn't even there to help.

--
Roger Long

I can get my rigger/climber for less than that, and she'll do the work while
there.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Capt. JG" wrote in
news:0r-dndYHivWSvo_VnZ2dnUVZ_jCdnZ2d@bayareasolutions:

Most sailors take their equipment maintenance very seriously. I know I
do. One place that's infrequently visited is the masthead, and I'm
wondering if you have any pictures of this vital area of your standing
rigging. The last time I had someone go aloft (sorry, I'm not
interested), I forgot to give her a camera, so all I have are these
pics from the ground:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SailNOW....photo#51830492
24613496610. (Everything was fine or was when she left, and no, I'm
not the guy in the picture.)

Do you have pictures of your masthead hardware (not scenery, but the
actual masthead)? How do you know your sheaves are still in good
shape? Do you regularly lubricate them?


I go up my mast to the top on a regular basis to photograph the area that
I'm in. Nothing gives you a view like a ride to the top. It also helps to
have electric winches.

I used to be scared of going up the mast, but after having been up the mast
4-5 times while underway and in seas up to 6', I kinda lost that fear. Now
going up, especially at anchor is a normal occurance.

Oh yes, I have extensive photographs of the gear up there. I try to have
photos of every piece of gear. It's amazing how often they come in handy.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
"Capt. JG"

I can get my rigger/climber for less than that ($110) , and she'll do the
work while there.


Well, if you trust her to check the swagings for cracks while she's
hanging there and maybe take a dye kit up there...

Just remember, it's really expensive when the mast comes down
unexpectedly. If it's the rigger who comes down unexpectedly, then it's
really, really expensive.

Do you have wire jib halyards? My sheaves were badly torn up by them and
would have chewed through the new rope one pretty quickly. I made an axle
out of a bolt, chucked it into a drill clamped to my workbench (this was
before I had my drill press) and cleaned them up with a round file and
sandpaper. Worked great.

Having had a friend and client die in front of his wife and children on
his birthday when a mast came down with him on it may have colored my
viewpoint a bit.

I just spent $160 to have all my standing rigging gone over. They spent
two full hours on it with it stretched out on a bench. Everything looks
good for another 2 -3 years when the recommend replacment of the whole
lot. Since I probably would have done the uppers this year without the
check, I'm money ahead. Money well spent for the peace of mind when the
water is foaming along over the toe rail.

--
Roger Long

I have rope halyards. The previous owner did the conversion, and when I had
my furler and lifelines replaced, the rigger checked everything. All the
sheaves were either new, replaced (one as I recall) or pronouced fine. They
were all lubed. So, this was purely a maintenance question. Did you take
pictures of the masthead?

My only concern at the time of purchase was some discoloration on the bottom
of the spreaders, which was due to the removal of lights. I had someone take
a look, and there was no rust, so I had the spots cleaned and painted. The
tangs also got a look, btw.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
.. .
"Capt. JG" wrote in
news:0r-dndYHivWSvo_VnZ2dnUVZ_jCdnZ2d@bayareasolutions:

Most sailors take their equipment maintenance very seriously. I know I
do. One place that's infrequently visited is the masthead, and I'm
wondering if you have any pictures of this vital area of your standing
rigging. The last time I had someone go aloft (sorry, I'm not
interested), I forgot to give her a camera, so all I have are these
pics from the ground:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SailNOW....photo#51830492
24613496610. (Everything was fine or was when she left, and no, I'm
not the guy in the picture.)

Do you have pictures of your masthead hardware (not scenery, but the
actual masthead)? How do you know your sheaves are still in good
shape? Do you regularly lubricate them?


I go up my mast to the top on a regular basis to photograph the area that
I'm in. Nothing gives you a view like a ride to the top. It also helps
to
have electric winches.

I used to be scared of going up the mast, but after having been up the
mast
4-5 times while underway and in seas up to 6', I kinda lost that fear.
Now
going up, especially at anchor is a normal occurance.

Oh yes, I have extensive photographs of the gear up there. I try to have
photos of every piece of gear. It's amazing how often they come in handy.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org


Nice looking boat! I didn't see any of the masthead but one, which doesn't
really show much. Do you have others online?


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...

"Capt. JG" wrote

Did you take pictures of the masthead?


It's all apart now. I could send you pictures of the pieces but I don't
think they would tell you much.

--
Roger Long

No, but when you get it all together, I'd like to take a look.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com