Sampson Boat Covideo

Raising Tally Ho’s topmast (without a crane)

March 16, 2024 · 20 min · 409K views

What this video covers

Raising the 30-foot spruce topmast on the *Tally Ho* requires a heel rope system to hoist the spar through the lower and upper doublings.0:10 The crew first secures the topmast to the deck using a utility halyard, then transitions to a heel rope rigged from the top of the lower mast, through a sheave at the heel of the topmast, and back up to a block at the upper doubling.0:44 A carabiner lashed to the top of the spar redirects the load path, ensuring the topmast remains stable while being hoisted from the bottom.5:19 Once the topmast clears the lower doubling, the crew attaches the standing rigging and topmast shrouds.6:06 The final position is secured by a wooden fid inserted through a mortise in the heel, which rests on the trestle tree.6:34 After installation, the crew mounts a wireless wind instrument at the masthead.12:43 Safety protocols for working aloft include maintaining two independent attachment points at all times using climbing gear and progress capture devices.17:05

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