<salty@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:25b414dq1n2isoafgofk8alll2r6r7nres@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:08:04 -0700, "Capt. JG" <jganz@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> wrote:
>
>><salty@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>>news:539414tnvdqk765qieu3i12g6coumnf2i2@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:29:36 -0700, "Capt. JG" <jganz@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>>> 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.com/ExcaliburSabre30/photo#5183049224613496610.
>>>>(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 @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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