Up the mast help/idea

[powsmias]

Think i got something here. i have a maxwell windlass with capstan and remote and know it will lift me up the mast if someone is tailing the other end. Thought about this the other day and on paper doesn't look so crazy so here goes.
I have a mantus 45 on the bow roller and thought if i dropped it down with tailing end (in deep water) and used that as the tailer i could ascend and descend easily with the remote feature.. single hander stuff.. any thoughts or can that idea? thanx

[Jd1]

Oh boy do I have a thought .... this is Darwin award stuff! Let us know when and where and we will bring lawn chairs and popcorn!

[powsmias]

Originally Posted by Jd1

Oh boy do I have a thought .... this is Darwin award stuff! Let us know when and where and we will bring lawn chairs and popcorn!

lolol that's why it's up here but on another note, if it works so well maybe just maybe it can be trusted better than someone tailing for you, eliminates the human error.. and don't make me laugh like that again..

[powsmias]

Hey comon you guys... 200 views and only one darwin award? still thinking that weight on the tailer is sufficient.. is it me?

[Jd1]

Ok, since you seem to be desperate for more input ...

Suppose the battery of the remote is getting weak and maybe doesn't quite reach any more?
Maybe it never reached ?
Maybe a power relay decides to weld shut on your way up and no matter what you do, you can't turn it off?
Maybe you drop the remote by accident ?
A windlass is not something to bet your life on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A large fish or shark or what-have you decides to play with your anchor ?
There are so many possible ways that this could go south .....

[powsmias]

Originally Posted by Jd1

Ok, since you seem to be desperate for more input ...

Suppose the battery of the remote is getting weak and maybe doesn't quite reach any more?
Maybe it never reached ?
Maybe a power relay decides to weld shut on your way up and no matter what you do, you can't turn it off?
Maybe you drop the remote by accident ?
A windlass is not something to bet your life on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A large fish or shark or what-have you decides to play with your anchor ?
There are so many possible ways that this could go south .....

ok maybe i'll stick with the atn topclimber.. was looking for ease.. sux gettin old.. thanx mister

[roverhi]

The ATN Mast Climber was a rather big outlay but about the most utilized piece of maintenance equipment that I've bought for the boat. No hassles to get someone to crank me up or tail a windlass. At the drop of a hat I can be up the mast at any time. May be able to to make a similar typr of outfit from rock climbing gear but the foot straps and seat aren't available anywhere elses. The seat is super comfortable for hours of work aloft. The foot straps with their connecting webbing really work in climbing. Does take a little effort to use but I have no problem at 72 getting to the mast head. Saved me from a dismasting the first time I used it when I discovered broken strands in the forestay at the masthead.

Just as a word of caution on electric winches/windlasses. A women lost her hand and a person who came to help her lost a finger(s) when she was using an electric winch to haul the captain up the mast.

[Jd1]

Originally Posted by powsmias

ok maybe i'll stick with the atn topclimber.. was looking for ease.. sux gettin old.. thanx mister

Unfortunately I know all too well about getting old (and rotund) but getting another person to help is really the only way to make it easier (short of paying somebody else to go up).
Let them tail for you with the windlass but make sure they have had some practice and you trust them.