3 Ways to Climb a Mast, Incl Solo (and Saba Adventure!) - Ep 29

Three Ways To Go Up Your Mast. Here's some tips.

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Shooting in the beautiful Norman Island, BVI, Sailing Virgins Instructor Marco Mendes takes you through three ways to climb a mast.

Three Methods (00:28)

1. Traditional
2. Fast
3. Solo

Why go up the mast? (00:42)

Safety tips (01.02)

1. Don't trust shackles (tie a double bowline)
2. Use two halyards if possible
3. Use a tether/leash
4. Establish communications above and below
5. Consider using a VHF
6. Lock your halyard in the jammer
7. Do a bounce test
8. Vigilant, competent wincher
9. Try to avoid power winches unless you really know them
10. Watch out for sensitive gear
11. Do this in good weather whenever possible

What you need (02:48)

1. Bosuns chair
2. Bag
3. Lanyard
4. Shoes, gloves
5. Ascender for the solo method

Traditional Crank-Up Method (03:18) - crank time 3 minutes
Climbing Method (07:04) - crank time 52 seconds
Solo Method (09:15) - crank time aaages

Notes on Solo Method (this is important!)
1. The double-fisherman knot is essential to a prusik loop
2. You can also use an ascending device such as a jumar
3. You should have at least one locking carabiner, preferably 2 or 3
4. The backup prusik (12:10) on a spare halyard is highly recommended (you are not supposed to rely on the 6mm prusik lines to hold you)
6. Here is a great page on How To Prusik: https://www.vdiffclimbing.com/prusik-...

The solo method should really only be done by people who are well versed in prusiking techniques.

Saba Island Adventure (15:18)

The adventure part of our episode takes us to Saba. Saba Island is an incredible part of the Caribbean. A tiny population of Dutch people perched on top of a big rock, with a several-hundred-year history, this truly is a hidden gem.

Sailing Virgins Gear

If you like the Sailing Virgins swag you see, you can buy it here: https://sailingvirgins.com/product-ca... - we have adopted a Patagonia approach to our apparel, using sustainable fabrics such as recycled bottles, and planting a tree for every product sold. Right down to our packaging bags (which are made from corn starch, a material that is more expensive but biodegrades), we are trying to create a brand that is world-class environmentally friendly. It's always a compromise (ie the best thing is not to buy new shit) but if you need a shirt, ours are probably the most environmentally friendly ones to buy.

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Acknowledgements
Marco Mendes, Instructor, Sailing Virgins ([email protected])
Forrest Ladkin, all shooting and editing (instagram @forrest_ladkin)
Anna Valero, Marie Louise Meng and Chris Hilger, our three students this week, thanks you three!

Music
(00:02) Lying Together by FKJ
(15:12) Younger by Liam Wright http://www.liamwrightmusic.com.au/

You can find these songs and more in our Sailing Virgins Spotify playlist! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2NF...