Climbing Blond Ambition's Mast

[Mundaysj]

Hi All,
Last weekend I climbed the mast of Blond Ambition to fix my jib halyard.  What a blast!  We started early Saturday morning before any crowds could gather on the AHYC dock.  I motored over to the dock (Gee... it is soooo nice to have a motor that starts on the first pull!!) and tied her up.  Then I donned my rock climbing harness and my friend, Thumper, who was to belay me did the same.  I hooked the main halyard on my belt and he prepared to belay me.  I was expecting it to go something like this... i climb a little, he belays, i climb a little more, he belays.... Instead he asked if I was ready.. and when I said yes all of a sudden I was hoisted to the top of my mast like I was on an amusement park ride.  HOLY COW!!  I was laughing so hard that I could barely hang on. 
So.. I was sitting at the top trying to get the darn halyard through the top of the mast, but the darn thing wouldn't go all the way through.. .. so ... back down to the deck.  We got some wire and taped it to the end of the halyard and back up I flew.  This time with a little prodding and a little cursing (I am a sailor after all) it fed through.  And down I came with my jib halyard in hand.  Yeah!!
Went for breakfast and then decided to take her out for a sail.  Wow ... i think it was about 20 - 25 knots.  I put up her main... never did get the jib up ... stayed out for about an hour and decided that it was really not fun so I came in.  But Sunday was absolutely beautiful... east wind blowing... I set the main and jib, pointed north toward the Verazzano Bridge, layed back and enjoyed the ride.  Didn't have to touch a thing until it was time to tack and head for home.  She felt good!!  I think this might just be the summer that she makes it all the way to the bridge and back!!
I am going to try to attach photos of the climb.
Cheers,
Sherie
 

[Potcake boy]

Sherie,

Good job done - looks like you are getting your teeth into this sailing thing.

Safe passages,
Ron

[mrb]

Nice climb or should we say hoist.  Either way good to you.  Melvin

[plindsay]

Quite a feat!  My wife could never hoist my fat butt up the mast in a bosun's chair so I got a mast mate.  Works great!  I've even loaned it out to other boaters who need to work on the stick.

Phil

[Bob23]

   Couldn't miss that yellow hat! Thanks for the photos- they are great. You look like a natural up there. One request- next time up (yes, there will be a next time) bring the camera. Aerial photos are neat and a shot looking down on "Blonde" would be really cool.
   Bob23, not up the mast but I've been up places without a paddle!

[Craig Weis]

Boy that looks like fun.
Just remember that for
each pound "up There"
15 pounds are needed
"down there" for a C-P 19
keel with 25 ft mast to keep
the same calculated balance.

I suppose about the
same numbers for your
C-P 23 boat. Should of had
a camera, so who took the snaps?
skip.

[Bob23]

Hey Sherie:
   Those aren't stilletos you're wearing up there, are they? Didn't think so.
   Skip, I believe the 23's 1350 lb keel is heavier than the 19 so we should have some advantage, right? If the mast length is the same (25') then we should be a bit more secure up a 23's mast. The 19 has a greater form stability laterally but we got you beat with all concrete down thar, brother!
Bob23, theorizing again

[Mundaysj]

So sorry to disappoint, Bob, but no stilletos up the mast.  LOL  I only had my phone camera and a friend offered to snap the pics of me so I couldn't snap any from above.  To be honest I was afraid that I would drop it and it is already my second Iphone (after dropping my first one in the harbor last year).

This weekend I let my son take the helm and he told me to go up to the bow and ride the waves.  It was a hoot!!  He is really getting into sailing .. and I am so thankful for that!!

Happy sailing,
Sherie

[Potcake boy]

So sorry to disappoint, Bob, but no stilletos up the mast.  LOL  I only had my phone camera and a friend offered to snap the pics of me so I couldn't snap any from above.  To be honest I was afraid that I would drop it and it is already my second Iphone (after dropping my first one in the harbor last year).

This weekend I let my son take the helm and he told me to go up to the bow and ride the waves.  It was a hoot!!  He is really getting into sailing .. and I am so thankful for that!!

Happy sailing,
Sherie

It's great to hear that there is more salt in the shaker - keep that young man on the water and he'll grow up knowing that he has the coolest mom in the world.  I personally feel that there are few endeavors that better build character and sensitivity in young people than sailing. Besides, any young man that offers his mom a ride on the bow is a real gentleman in my book.

[B.Hart]

   REAL sailors know how to get the job done!      BILL

[ka8uet]

Sheri, I admire you for climbing the mast.  I'm not only a devout coward, I'm a FAT devout coward, so I drop the stick to work on it.  Good on ya, girl!