Page 297 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Coming Down TOPMAST INSTALLATION
When the work is done, the pressure is off, and all
that remains is to ease on back to deck. But this is To most sailors these days, a topmast is a hopelessly
just the time when many accidents happen. Keep archaic piece of gear; modern materials and sail
caution at a high level until you’re past this job-end- plans have obviated its use. But “character boats”
ing transition point. Get to deck first, then relax. and historical reproductions need them, and they
can be justified in practical terms since, among
Addendum I wrote most of the above some years other things, they allow you to use one big and one
ago. At the time I had spent many hours aloft, or little tree instead of one huge one to set the same
tending others aloft. Since then I have spent many, amount of sail. Beyond that, they give me an excel-
many more hours at this work. My tools and tech- lent opportunity to present a traditional perspective
niques are always undergoing refinement, but the on working aloft.
basics have held true; in those same years I have So. Your lower is in and well set up, the running
heard of more accidents than I care to think about, rigging is neatly belayed and coiled, and the gear
and I want to help others to be safer aloft. So in addi- you’ve been spreading around has been collected
tion to studying the above, I recommend that you and put away; you’re ready to send up the topmast.
take a look the books and videos on the topic in the If it’s light enough, carry it on deck. Otherwise,
“Sources and Resources” section. For the time being, set it on sawhorses alongside, abeam of the lower.
please read the next section, even if you are sure you Because it must pass through the tight confines of
will never need to deal with a topmast. The spar the “doubling,” the only piece of gear you put on
configuration might be different, but the demands it now is the heel rope, with which the mast will be
of working aloft don’t change. In particular, note hoisted. This should be the newest, strongest piece
the importance of communication between aloft and of rope you have that will fit the heel sheave. Reeve
alow. You can never ever be too safe up there. this rope through the sheave from starboard to port
(if the mast is on the port side of the boat) and pull
enough end through so you can hitch it securely to
the head of the topmast (Figure 7-15). Take up the

Figure 7-15. A topmast prepared for hoisting. (Margaret Wilson-Briggs)

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