CHAPTER 5


block needs to carry the jamming cleat, so the sheet must exit from the tackle here. If it were the other way up (rove to advantage) the hauling end would emanate from the block on the boom end and be unworkable. A typical kicking strap is another example.


Friction in tackles


The theoretical power of a tackle does not increase infinitely with the number of sheaves in the blocks. A certain amount of friction exists in even the simplest system and, as the sheaves multiply, this builds up with them until a traditional tackle begins to run out of steam at around 6 : 1. Modern bearings and floppy ropes have done much to ease this failing, but it still exists.


Climbing the mast


Except in specialised traditional craft, the days when sailors swarmed up to the yards on ratlines are over. Patent systems now exist to help singlehanders, and any boat where a crew member cannot be hoisted up the mast by a third party must investigate these. For the overwhelming majority, however, the way aloft is via a helping hoist and a bosun’s chair. The bosun’s chair – Sitting in a bosun’s chair is a self-explanatory affair. The chair is hoisted by means of a halyard that is generally shackled to its lifting ring. Try to avoid snap shackles if at all possible, but if there’s no choice, tape it shut just to be sure. For obvious reasons, there is a long tradition that the person to be hoisted must rig his or her own chair. The hoist – Choose a halyard which can somehow be led to a winch strong enough for the job. If a powered winch is available, so much the better, but where the power source is the anchor windlass some creative leading via turning blocks may be required to lead the tail to the barrel. Once the climber is as high as necessary, make the halyard fast with the greatest care, then stand by it in case someone who is not aware of what’s going on should cast it off. Safety line – If possible, also rig a spare halyard to the chair and take up the slack on this as the hoist progresses to provide a safety net against the unthinkable.


Take your weight – Winching a heavy person aloft is a tough job. Unless the winch is powered, whoever is winding it will be more than grateful for all the help they can get. The person going aloft should do all possible to assist by ‘climbing’ up a spare halyard, or the standing rigging. Look aloft – The winch grinder must look aloft as much as possible while still maintaining full concentration to keep the turns safely on the winch. It is very easy to wind the climber into a diminishing gap where shrouds come in to the mast, especially with a powered winch. Communicate – Maintain communication between wincher and climber. On a very tall mast, this might have to be by prearranged signals, but since both are engaged on the same job, they should work together. Stand from under – Never hang around beneath a person working aloft, and if it’s you up there and you drop something, hail the deck with the age-old cry, ‘Stand from under!’


MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP | 55


Ropes and ropework


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