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Old 19-02-2020, 14:50   #1
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How much weight up the mast?

Honesty time. I'm a heavy guy. I'm reasonably in shape, assuming round is a shape, or rather I'm out of shape but working on it.

I have a 50 year old boat with an aluminum mast with single spreaders. Is it reasonable to think that the mast will hold my weight if I climb the mast to the top? For reference, I weigh currently what two average humans do.
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Old 19-02-2020, 15:02   #2
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

If your boat is only 22 feet, I would not go up there....
Seriously...whats your good old boat?
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Old 19-02-2020, 15:39   #3
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

It's a 27-foot Santana
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Old 19-02-2020, 15:51   #4
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

Do your family and the first responders a favor and don't go up your mast. Not worth it.
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Old 19-02-2020, 16:18   #5
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Morgali View Post
Honesty time. I'm a heavy guy. I'm reasonably in shape, assuming round is a shape, or rather I'm out of shape but working on it.

I have a 50 year old boat with an aluminum mast with single spreaders. Is it reasonable to think that the mast will hold my weight if I climb the mast to the top? For reference, I weigh currently what two average humans do.
Hmm... I think you should give us a more accurate idea of your weight.

The average human weight is about 62 kg (137 lb) whereas the average USA male is 90 kg (195 lb).

So that puts your weight somewhere between 124 kg (274 lb) and 180 kg (390 lb).

With that spread, it is difficult to give advice except to say "better to safe than sorry".

You also state you are climbing the mast so does that mean you won't be using a halyard to haul you up.

If you plan to be hauled up the mast, do make sure all the equipment (halyards, blocks, winch etc) are strong enough for the task.
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Old 19-02-2020, 17:02   #6
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

The mast should hold up just fine. The boat may not have the righting moment to keep you out of the water. I've got a 28' boat and have no problem going to the masthead at 170#. If you are talking 300# plus might be dicey but you'll have to try it out or find an engineer to do a calculation or whatever engineers do. Could just stand beside boat and try and pull yourself up via a halyard and see if the mast comes down to you or you go up it.
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Old 20-02-2020, 08:54   #7
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

Have a pro do it. Cheaper than medical bills. Or worse, funeral costs.
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Old 20-02-2020, 09:09   #8
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

That weight up a 27 foot boat's mast may be a bit much. 300# up 35 feet is over 10000 foot lbs of leverage. I doubt your boat weighs 10000#, much less has 10000# ballast.
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Old 20-02-2020, 09:10   #9
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

No. You can't go up there. C'mon.
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Old 20-02-2020, 09:14   #10
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

A good motivator to get in shape is what we have here.
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Old 20-02-2020, 11:08   #11
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

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No. You can't go up there. C'mon.
I think I'd start with some stage weights first just to see if it works. Or you could hire me to go up (150lbs dripping wet)
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Old 20-02-2020, 11:43   #12
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

I am 69yo in good shape and go up my mast fairly routinely. Even so I cannot say it is stress free. If you are not in a reasonable shape, heavy, on a boat that may not have sufficient righting moment, think hard about what you are doing. Pulling yourself up with a 4 part purchase and doing your own work is rewarding but get in shape, try rope climbing in a controlled situation before adding mental stress to the bill
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Old 20-02-2020, 12:28   #13
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheechako View Post
That weight up a 27 foot boat's mast may be a bit much. 300# up 35 feet is over 10000 foot lbs of leverage. I doubt your boat weighs 10000#, much less has 10000# ballast.


10,000+ ft-lb only if gravity decides to act sideways all of a sudden.
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Old 20-02-2020, 12:43   #14
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Morgali View Post
Honesty time. I'm a heavy guy. I'm reasonably in shape, assuming round is a shape, or rather I'm out of shape but working on it.



I have a 50 year old boat with an aluminum mast with single spreaders. Is it reasonable to think that the mast will hold my weight if I climb the mast to the top? For reference, I weigh currently what two average humans do.


If you have places port and starboard to tieoff to you can make this work.

Take a 75-100’ rope and tie a knot thru the main halyard shackle near the middle of the rope then raise until main halyard is tight. Secure the bottom ends on opposite sides at least 25’ out from centerline of boat.
Tie the boat bow and stern to both port and starboard. Spring the boat fore and aft preferably on both sides.

This needs to be on a calm day with minimal waves or wake.

Go up on the jib halyard with spinnaker halyard as backup.
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Old 20-02-2020, 13:45   #15
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Re: How much weight up the mast?

What do you need to go up the mast for? You can use a halyard to pull the mast down to you on a dock. Have do this on smaller boats to do work at the mast head and to install things through the hull (below the water line) before.

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