Masthead access

[pressureangle]

I have a 25.5 Hunter sloop, with a 29' mast from deck. I lost the jib halyard to the masthead, and I need to install a windvane anyway, and check the anchor light to see about an LED setup.

My question is, is this rig heavy enough to allow me to go up? The only chair I've ridden was on an 86' Swan which was obviously a lot higher, but of unquestioned strength.
The mast is stepped at the deck with pins, so lowering it is a relatively easy option-can I lower it with the main halyard, and at what point will it over-center and need support from below? Is it a two-man job, and what risk is there at anchor as opposed to while hauled?

I'm a cheapskate, but I don't want to be in danger due to ignorance.

Eric

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
First, the mast and boat are plenty strong for work aloft. You will experience much more motion than you did on that Swan, but the boat won't fall over from your weight.
Next, I don't know if this boat's mast is meant to be raised and lowered from deck, but even if it is, I would want to make extremely sure of the details of the operation before trying it.
Depending on the amount of work you intend, it might be best to remove the stick to do it. One can accomplish just about anything aloft, but it is much slower, much more difficult.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[CJV]

If it¥s the trailerable Hunter 25.5, then the rig should go up and down very easily w/ the manufacturer's gin pole and mast bridle arrangement. Anytime you can work at ground/dock level you'll be better off.

If it's not, you might be able to pull sideways on on the main halyard to the point where you can reach the lost halyard, perhaps at an elevated point in the marina or at low tide.

A third way might be to use the tip from Badham & Robinson's "Sailors' Secrets", 1999, McGraw Hill, page 39, where they suggest using a second halyard with a noose and string attachment which could be used to capture the shackle of the lost halyard and lower it.

Good luck!