Climbing the mast

[Kilredenn]

Hello,
Does anyone know what the maximum weight the mast can support?
I need to climb it to change the wind vane/anemometer. I have a calfat chair, and an electric capstan.
Are there any specific precautions for the NonSuch?

David R-L
S/Y Kilredenn 2 - NS30U #468
BRITTANY - FR

[Kilredenn]

Original aluminum mast

David R-L
S/Y Kilredenn 2 - NS30U #468
BRITTANY - FR

[Joe Valinoti]

I’ve been hoisted up my mast without problems for over 20 years using my electric halyard winch..

 

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

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BRITTANY - FR --
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[Mark Nerenhausen]

I just had my repaired anemometer installed and the tech was hoisted up using the electric winch with no problems at all just like on Joe's boat.

Mark Nerenhausen

Cloud Hidden

Nonsuch 30U

New Bern, NC

[Peter Grabow]

Hi - 

I use an ATN Mast Climber now (used to use a rock climbing harness attached to a halyard) which is used by securing the end of the halyard at the deck level, making the halyard taut, and then working your way up the halyard (works very well and is comfortable - I was once up the mast for over 2 hours).

I weigh (dressed) about 155lbs (71Kg) plus another few pounds for the weight of the climbing unit so let's say 160lbs (73Kg), plus whatever tools I carry up with me.  There has never been any indication that the mast didn't like the weight, even at the very top... no excess movement of the mast, unless the wind strength increased a lot, and then it was probably me being blown around a bit and not so much the mast moving.  At least this has been my experience...

Good luck with the project!

Peter Grabow

S/V CAKE WALK III

1987 30U 430

now in Stamford, CT!

[Peter Grabow]

Apologies - forgot to include:

I usually tie a line around the mast to whichever device I am using to climb the mast (bosun chair, climbing harness, ATN Climber). Tie to one side of the climbing unit, pass around the mast, and then tie to the opposite side of the climbing unit. As there are no stays on a Nonsuch mast, there isn't anything to grab on to to prevent you from swing away from the mast. This line will help keep you in place, so you won't need to wrap your legs around the mast to steady yourself (gets tiring if you are up there for any length of time).

My boat has two halyards. I do wrap the 2nd halyard around my torso and have someone take up the slack on the winch, as a precaution against the something on the primary gear failing.

Also make sure all of your tools are secured to you (or at least that the bag you use to carry them up is secured to you and is deep enough to keep the tools in it)... a wrench, socket, pliers etc can make a nasty crack or hole in the deck when falling from about 50ft (15mt), or makes an upsetting splash if it hits the water and sinks to the bottom (if you are doing this when not on the hard).

Peter Grabow

S/V CAKE WALK III

1987 30U 430 

Stamford, CT

[Mike Quill]

Hi David 

Best practice would be to use the burgee halyard block as a  safety line. Run a 3/8 halyard through that and have someone on deck dedicated to controlling that line while someone else hoists you up on the main halyard (assuming it's in great condition) At my heaviest I was 210 lbs with no issues. Once you're up there remind those on deck to move very gingerly with a forewarning. 

Cheers 

Mike Quill  

On Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 8:03:44 AM UTC-4 Peter Grabow wrote:

[Peter Moodie]

I know it is obvious, but please ensure that your support lines are new.  I have seen the terminal results of a line failure.  You need a safety line and both lines should not be aged or frayed.

Peter Moodie

Catalyst Nonsuch 30U #366

Sidney, BC/Winnipeg, MB

[Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.]

Like Peter Grabow I tie a line around the mast when going up. I tie it to my safety harness, take it around the mast and back to the harness. The line high enough on the harness so if I fall I will not invert and go down head first. The line stops a person from falling free of the mast. Friction will slow your descent and give you an opportunity to gain control. It will hurt but the line should stop the fall when it gets to the boom hangers.

Mark Powers

[Barry Connell]

When I first acquired Nocturne I installed  second sheave at the masthead for a back-up halyard. That way , I can still hoist sail if the primary halyard fails or escapes up the mast. It also acts as a safety line if I (or someone else) has to ascend the mast for a repair. I’d never send someone up top without one. 

Barry Connell

N36 Nocturne

Newburyport, MA

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[Kilredenn]

And there it is, it's done. I climbed to the top of the mast.
I was very pleasantly surprised : no swaying, the mast is very rigid. The electric capstan breaker only tripped four times, probably due to my light weight...
The climb is very easy due to the absence of shrouds or spreaders. And at 17 meters, the view is very nice.
And I finally understood why my anchor light wasn't working : there isn't one.
I'm going back up to install one.
Thanks everyone for your replies.

David R-L
S/Y Kilredenn 2 - NS30U #468
BRITTANY - FR

[Sprio]

If you need to run a cable and need to drill a hole in the bottom part of the mast, please be very careful where to drill. Masts have failed due to wrongly positioned cable holes on 36's. For that reason, the mast was replaced on my boat; it failed!

I can't tell where the hole is supposed to be, but I'm sure others can.

mark h

n36#25

netherlands

Op zondag 11 mei 2025 om 18:55:54 UTC+2 schreef Kilredenn:

[Joe Valinoti]

I would think there is at least one hole in the mast below deck to feed the instrument and lighting wires.

 

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

~~~~~(\_ ~(\_ ~(\_~~~~~~~~~~

From: Sprio

Sent: Monday, May 12, 2025 12:35 AM

To: INA Nonsuch Discussion Group

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[Brian Cayer]

David

You don’t say how much you weigh, that would eta good piece of info to know.

 I think the limit on the West Marine bosons chair is 230 lbs. that’s close to my weight and I’m hesitant to make that leap of faith .

Congrats on your feat of daring.

Brian Cayer

Spirit~Wind

N30U 419

Westbrook, Ct

[newelljc9]

For years, I have been told never to use an electric winch for climbing the mast. My Harken 40 has been more than adequate to propel me up Mascouche's mast with my son providing the muscle power. This spring I had to go up to install preventers to stop the halyard from wrapping around the mast and fouling the navigation lights. That can be a real bummer when sailing single handed in a strong breeze. FYI Mascouche is a Nonsuch 26 and I weigh 175 lbs. when fully clothed.

In deference to old age, I bought a WinchRite  cordless winch handle this spring. On page 3 of the operating manual in bold print it states, WinchRite should never be used to haul a person up a mast. This warning may have been prompted by the company's lawyers to absolve it from responsibility for accidents involving its product. Nevertheless, the warning should be taken seriously. Over the decades, I have been up masts for many reasons. Mascouche's is one of the more stable yachts due to her beam. In addition, I have the use of her peak halyard as a safety line with the gaff rig conversion.

Cheers,

John Newell

Mascouche 26C1

Toronto