The 2020 Vendée Globe showed many climbs up the IMOCA mast. Since this edition, to ensure their safety, the competitors had to inform the Race Directors of their climb up their boat's mast. Undoubtedly, this obligation, relayed by the communication around the event, has given more visibility than usual to what, incidentally, remains exceptional aboard a boat.
Nevertheless, let's take stock of what can lead competitors or modest sailors to climb the masthead of a sailing boat.
The famous J2
For the competitors first of all, especially in the Vendée Globe on their IMOCA boats. These boats have a jib named "J2". Its repairs systematically require you to climb to the top of the mast to lower it. Indeed, this sail has the particularity of replacing the forestay, which joins the mast and the hull of the boat, with its luff stay. We talk about a structural sail, that is to say that it helps to hold the mast. It is therefore easy to understand why it is complicated to lower this J2. This is why most of the actions carried out are done in a balancing position by climbing the mast.
On racing boats the mainsail carriages are guided on a rail screwed to the mast. This rail is subjected to enormous stress (it is the rail that translates wind energy into the boat's driving energy). Sometimes, as was the case for Louis Burton in the 2020 edition of the Vendée Globe, this rail can come off. In such cases, there is no question about it, as it is a compulsory climb.
What about boaters?
Let us now turn to our considerations as boaters.
The regular check we carry out at the masthead to make sure there is nothing abnormal is a start. It can happen that while sailing we have to go up to make repairs. Contrary to the planned check, these repairs will often be carried out during navigation, with the movements of the boat, therefore in much less safe conditions. That is the point of this annual inspection, to tighten up what needs to be tightened up and to examine the electrical connections.
Electronics and Electricity
It is at the top of the mast that we find the electronic and electrical equipment we use to see, be seen or communicate. Replacing the high beam lights, reconnecting the antennas (VHF as well as AIS), reconnecting the radar (even if it is usually located a little lower at the spreaders) or the failure of an anemometer wind vane are all actions that we must perform while miming the climbers.
You may also have to climb the mast when you have to pass a halyard (following a bad manoeuvre or a breakage).
Preparing for the climb
Mast climbing is a perilous operation, which must be prepared. Proper equipment is a prerequisite, as well as the usual checks to be carried out. Ideally, you should ride with a person who assures you on a second halyard.
When you buy
Obviously, if there is one moment among which it is imperative to get on board, it is the purchase of a second-hand yacht. It would be unreasonable to contemplate buying a sailboat whose rigging has not been checked This is ideally done by an expert or a company that will assure you of the quality of the product.
