Today was the day to finish off the Tides Inn refurbishment To-Do list - a long process we started in early April. We had to replace the anchor lightbulb, lubricate the anemometer and windex, and check all the mast top equipment for condition, then replace the radar reflector and whisker pole topping lift at the spreader level.
Sue is our mast top worker and I am the hoister.
She is on her way up. I hoist her on the spare main halyard and we use the spinnaker halyard as a safety backup. Tools and materials are in the bosun seat bag. The spare halyard leads back to the cockpit where I winch her up. This time we both had our phones on speaker and were able to easily communicate via cell phone.
In addition to changing the light bulb, the other key maintenance item was to lubricate the anemometer so that we get an accurate reading of the wind speed. As it accumulates dirt and dust it slows down making one think the wind is not as strong as reality. We don't have any photos of the Sue vs wasp encounter. After waving nicely several times, Sue had to resort to WD 40 spray to encourage the wasp to leave. We do have a video of the power boater that ignored the "no-wake" signs and nearly passed the entire marina at high speed. but Mark yelled and waved him down. Those no-wake rules around marinas are there for a reason - someone might be working at the top of a mast.
The other job we had to do was re-hang our radar reflector, which fell down right at the end of our last sailing season. It turns out the stainless ring connecting the shackle and radar reflector mount wore through from the constant rocking and rubbing after about 10 years of service. Another item to add to our routine maintenance list.
We decided this time to eliminate the ring completely and use an extended shackle to connect to the radar reflector mount. Cuts out one more potential failure item. We run a flag halyard through a small block at the bottom of the radar reflector, run down to deck level, that holds the reflector taut (but doesn't prevent rocking) and provides a port side flag halyard.
The final task was to reinstall the whisker pole topping lift line through the block on the front of the mast in front of Sue. I took the line down to wash it as all our running rigging accumulated extensive dirt while spending 2 years in the boatyard. All has been washed or replaced now.
All jobs accomplished, its time to return to deck level. Another safe and successful trip to the mast top.
Here's a couple views from the top:
Sue is our mast top worker and I am the hoister.
She is on her way up. I hoist her on the spare main halyard and we use the spinnaker halyard as a safety backup. Tools and materials are in the bosun seat bag. The spare halyard leads back to the cockpit where I winch her up. This time we both had our phones on speaker and were able to easily communicate via cell phone.
Here is the line and winch that lifts her up. On the way up I can keep the rope clutch locked so there are two levels of safety that the halyard won't slip. On the way down, I have to open the clutch and its only me to ensure the line feeds out slowly.
Our mast is 56feet up from the water. That's a good height that lets us easily pass under the Intra-Coastal bridges which are normally 65 feet, but still pretty high up for the worker who has to change the light bulb.
At this point, Sue has the anchor light bulb replaced and she is reinstalling the plexiglass housing. Our light fixture has a tri-color on top and the anchor light below. You can see the red port light of the tri-color and Sue's hand blocks the clear white anchor light.
In addition to changing the light bulb, the other key maintenance item was to lubricate the anemometer so that we get an accurate reading of the wind speed. As it accumulates dirt and dust it slows down making one think the wind is not as strong as reality. We don't have any photos of the Sue vs wasp encounter. After waving nicely several times, Sue had to resort to WD 40 spray to encourage the wasp to leave. We do have a video of the power boater that ignored the "no-wake" signs and nearly passed the entire marina at high speed. but Mark yelled and waved him down. Those no-wake rules around marinas are there for a reason - someone might be working at the top of a mast.
We decided this time to eliminate the ring completely and use an extended shackle to connect to the radar reflector mount. Cuts out one more potential failure item. We run a flag halyard through a small block at the bottom of the radar reflector, run down to deck level, that holds the reflector taut (but doesn't prevent rocking) and provides a port side flag halyard.
The final task was to reinstall the whisker pole topping lift line through the block on the front of the mast in front of Sue. I took the line down to wash it as all our running rigging accumulated extensive dirt while spending 2 years in the boatyard. All has been washed or replaced now.
All jobs accomplished, its time to return to deck level. Another safe and successful trip to the mast top.
Here's a couple views from the top:
