OK Just for Fun

 New Ship's Bell from Blue Pelican Chandlery in Alameda

Up the Mast

 Just a short entry here. Being a sailor means you have a mast to hold your sail or sails so maintenance of your mast is as important as any other part of your boat. Dinghys are easy, you just take the mast down. Deck stepped masts are also easy, you just take the mast down. But a larger boat with a keel stepped mast (a mast that goes through the deck and is fixed/mounted to the keel below the sole (floor)) is another matter. You can, usually during a haul out ("on the hard" - out of the water), use a crane to remove the mast from the boat or, as is more usual, you can climb the mast to inspect or perform repairs. There are several ways to ascend the mast, you can find several videos on Youtube if you are interested but suffice it to say I use a climbing apparatus (ATN Mastclimber) that includes a bosun's chair and foot straps that are connected  to fixed climbing ascenders. You inch up the mast by standing, lifting your chair, sitting, lifting your foot straps, etc. This apparatus is connected to a halyard (rope) that runs from the foot to the top of the mast. There is also a safety line fixed to the climber and to a second halyard by way of a Prusik knot. This safety line goes up with you as you use the mastclimber (or any other method) to climb. 

So, for the 1st time, I went up 3 times in the last few days to the 1st spreader (1/3 the way up) to repair the 3 lights at that location. One called the Steamer light (to be lit while "steaming" under power). This indicates that your boat is a power boat (a sailboat IS a power boat when running on the engine). The other two are the Spreader lights that shine down and illuminate the deck. 

I was concerned that I would fear the height but not so. But the physicality of the climb would have been easier if I was even 20 years younger! I will say that the masthead (top) is a LONG way up. Still contemplating that climb.