Superdave up the mast

Superdave came by with his giant nappie and shinned up the mast

now, drowning does not bother me but I am a bit wary of heights. I was fine until I fell through the garage roof in my early twenties and have been a bit worried ever since. The idea of spending time up a ladder fiddling with sofits frightens me side-ways. Not keen on shinning up a boat mast that is for sure.

However, Superdave does not seem to be bothered at all by heights

so up he went

the first bit of the film is fast the second bit is real time

he removed the ugly and redundant aerial, fitted a burgee halyard, fitted a spinnaker halyard, cleaned the inside of the masthead light and on the way down fitted a spinnaker uphaul.

He also took an opportunity to inspect the shrouds at the top

I have done a fair amount of sailing in the boat now , and in some fairly strong winds so we decided that the forestay is fine - especailly as the boat has a babystay and a spare halyard. The standing rigging is 25 years old and some forum searches suggests that under moderate use this is in no way old... so I have decided to leave well alone.

The good thing is that now I have a burgee to look at - which make me very happy. It is the same one I have been using since I was on the Medway - it is from the Hundred of Hoo yacht club - where my mate Mike sails.

burgeemast00092

I also have some halyards for courtesy flags

mast

so should I fly a Saltire in Scotland?

or fekem

D

This is about Centaur Project, Dylan Winter's Blog, Sailing around Britain.

7 Responses to “Superdave up the mast”

  1. 23 April, 2014 at 7:17 pmLuis says:

    I used to do a bit of rock climbing, so heights don’t bother me.
    Having said that, the old wisdom is that when going up the mast you should make sure you owe money to the man on the winch.
    Never climbed the mast of my boat, because the boat is so small and light I am afraid it would topple over with my weight aloft.
    Luis

  2. 23 April, 2014 at 7:18 pmLuis says:

    The question about the saltire is interesting. Will you be there when they have the referendum on independence?

  3. 23 April, 2014 at 7:26 pmdylan winter says:

    I will certainly be there before and after the referendum

  4. 24 April, 2014 at 4:41 pmGlenn says:

    Could do with superdave! I am not good with heights. My topping lift halyard has jumped the pulley and jammed down the side.
    P.S. I have a vivacity 24 and trying to find any info, or owners manual…..nothing on the net, any ideas? I have last year jumped into the 50 bracket and looking at starting a circumnavigation of the uk next year, bit of a dream, we have a beautiful country. When I found your films on you tube they are like a breadth of fresh air! Keep them going!
    Many thanks …… Glenn

  5. 24 April, 2014 at 5:16 pmEuan Mckenzie says:

    Wouldn’t let petty politics get in the way of your trip – you’ll find two sides rounding on each other with very strong views. Its quite a time to be coming as its a once in a lifetime event but you’ll also find some nutters who think they’re right – you could do a mini documentary as an outsider on your way round and maybe make some money from it?

  6. 24 April, 2014 at 8:05 pmdylan winter says:

    I assume you are referring to the YBW thread….

    http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?394403-Lord-Montague-s-River

  7. 3 May, 2014 at 3:29 pmjoecomet says:

    Well lad, if’n you want to fly a Scots ensign, look at the pics I sent you of my ‘Carrifran Falcon’ at the Apalachacola Classec Boat Show in the Panhandle of Fl.. You will see my Scots Maritime Ensign (pre Union) flying on the forestay. Like your UK Ensign, its a red field. but has the Saltire at the hoist. Was astounded to see that my flag maker had it in his catalog, although not in stock. Guess will have to see how the vote turns out before he starts any mass production. Talk about junk up the river, how about the subs and nukes in the the Scottish rivers and ports. I think the Scots would like you to take them home with you.
    An by the way, I like your own personal take on what you see and feel, weather I agree or not. We agree on most, and I have learned much about your version of a “Sassennach”.
    Lindsay

    “

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