The On Deck Channelvideo

Day 1: Measuring My Mast to Get Nomad Sailing Again

20 December 2025 · 9 min · 1K views · St. Petersburg

What this video covers

To replace ageing running rigging on the sailboat Nomad, the owner measures the mast height using a messenger line and a tape measure.5:43 Because the existing 12-year-old lines are unreliable, the owner avoids climbing the mast by attaching a tape measure to a halyard and hoisting it to the masthead.1:07 The process involves identifying the correct halyard among several lines and using a messenger line to retrieve the tape measure once the measurement is taken.6:18 The mast height is determined to be approximately 53 to 55 feet.7:50 Following the measurement, the owner visits The Yacht Rigger to evaluate replacement line options, including various colours and materials such as Dyneema cores and Sirius jackets.7:53 The owner plans to use a spooling machine and line counter for the subsequent installation phase.8:24

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