But I Don't WANT to Go Up There !

[BareFtGrl]

Oooh! I saw those mast climber apparatuses and man are they expeeeennnnnsive!

[Cheechako]

on a bigger boat you will eventually want a bosun's chair. For an anchor light, you just need to hang a white light in the rigging. Doesnt have to be too high either. Frankly, in a very dark crowded anchorage, dingying around, I find it much easier to see boats with a low anchor light than one way up the mast and lost amongst the stars. I have a feeling a 500 hp Cigarette boat will not be looking up for lights either!

[zeehag]

i like my alternative anchor lite--was 3 dollars in home depot--solar walkway lites for garden--with decent rechargeable batts, they last most of night..added to the regular anchor lite i have, is awesome--i have a kero one also--those are great--perko makes em and findable in various locations. have to hunt em down tho.. there is also a davis solar anchor light ....and a 12v led one that uses little electricity....

[Acedude]

I use my rock climbing harness as a bosun's chair. More comfortable, meant to take a fall, extra clips all on the sides to hold things. Much more versatile and can be used as a harness when on the boat (with the attached lifeline).

Not trying to be different, but bosun's chairs are either uncomfortable (if simplified down to a harness), or limited (if it comes with a padded seat). I try to keep things that have multi use since space is limited. May be worth it if you decide to keep revisiting the mast.

But if it is just the anchor light, put a new one on the bow and call it good for now. Then once you have more problems at the top of your mast, take the trip up there and fix it all at once.

[Target9000]

Where is the sense of adventure. Just look at the smile on her face.




This is like day 2 of us owning the boat.

[dixiepixiew32]

I'll second acedude, I climb as part of my living and find that climbing harnesses are really nice aloft compared to traditional means, If you look on ebay, climbing harness are fairly inexpensive and meet weight and fall specs that a new seamster may not match.

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by BareFtGrl

Oooh! I saw those mast climber apparatuses and man are they expeeeennnnnsive!

Ya, that is why I am holding out for one... Unfortunately, my kids are getting bigger and I may have to start bribing them to go up...

[MarkJ]

Do what I do: Get an idiot to go aloft.


My belief is we are given a certain number of heart beats then we die. I don’t waste mine being terrified up some pole when I can get some mentally deficient friend, for the price of a beer, to do my dirty work.

[BareFtGrl]

Rock Climbing harness eh? Never would have thought of that. I still have to get more into the mindset of multiple use equipment and creating new "workaround's" for industry standards. Hmmmmm...

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i like my alternative anchor lite--was 3 dollars in home depot--solar walkway lites for garden--with decent rechargeable batts, they last most of night..added to the regular anchor lite i have, is awesome--i have a kero one also--those are great--perko makes em and findable in various locations. have to hunt em down tho.. there is also a davis solar anchor light ....and a 12v led one that uses little electricity....

I have installed the Davis MEGA LITE. Good product but the "low watt" (0.074 amps) version is too dim to be useful, IMO. As I recall, that is the default one that is installed when you buy it so I recommend switching in the hi-intensity bulb (.220 amps) that is also included in the package. Even the hi-intensity bulb is not as bright as other lights in the anchorage but I believe it is adequate. The Davis is also good because it automatically turns off at dawn for those late sleepers.

[barnakiel]

Hang an anchor light elsewhere and fix the upper one when close to a crane.

b.

[DeepFrz]

I second (or third?) the rock climbing harness or a riggers harness if you are going to be cruising. For now just borrow the bosun's chair.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Do what I do: Get an idiot to go aloft.


My belief is we are given a certain number of heart beats then we die. I don’t waste mine being terrified up some pole when I can get some mentally deficient friend, for the price of a beer, to do my dirty work.

i especially like those who do it for a beer or two.... they rock!!!

[SabreKai]

When I was based in the Port Credit marina, there was a single parent live aboard family whose daughter used to make out like a bandit going up n down masts all summer long. Tiny little girl, about 5 foot, 95 lbs or so, and as handy as you could want. Had all her own gear, tools etc. She was always hanging out at the marinas' repair shop, learning everything about new tech as it came out. By the time she hit 16, she'd hired on with the shop, and stayed there for several years.

When in doubt about going up the mast, ask around, there are likely to be kids like that where ever you are.

[BareFtGrl]

So I did look on ebay for the rock climbing harness and they are unbelievably less expensive than a chair! I don't have a fear of heights or climbing...I have a fear of falling! I should be ok I guess because I'm just barely over 5ft. and I don't have alot of mass to lift. I have to figure a way to put an extra safety line around me and lash it to the mast just as back up.