Mast Climbing Madness (Sailing Giraffe) 

Mate that is an awesome episode! Loved it! I love it most that you went at this exactly the way I would have. The most endearing thing about you Mate, is you wear your heart on your sleeve and do not edit your errors. There is a Buddhist saying that says "Things always work out best, for those who make the best of how things work out". I have lived by this saying (as a Buddhist) for years but you are the living proof of how greater a person you are for putting yourself through these journeys. You're biggest fan, Paul.

Great video Josh. I used to work at a yacht mast company and was hoping there was an electrical conduit inside your mast. You don't want the halyards chafing the wires. After your comments about the climbing harness. I thought, I would suggest that you fit 2 or 4 foot steps / brackets near the top of the mast. So that you can stand on your feet to take the weight off your harness. These steps can also help to raise you up so that your shoulders are above the mast head, thus making it easier to do work at the mast head. These steps (fold-up models) were a standard fitting on the masts that we built. Cheers.

The true story behind every DIY warrior project. You deserve honors nomination for honesty.

Can I just say "thank you" for posting these videos? The info is good, but even better is realizing I'm not the only one that has regular "I feel so defeated" days when trying to learn a new hobby like this. I'm so glad you show the reality and not the sugar coated "it's easy" videos that are so popular.

I was raised by my great uncle, a Marine that thru unfortunate events was at Pearl Harbor Dec. 1941. He told me all Naval officers were dummies'. I never believed ALL were so challenged. After working with a navy friend (lt. commander) & watching this video. LMAO Well, NEVER doubt a Marine; especially that knew Pappy Boyington.

Watched this video in anticipation of installing a new wind sensor on my Baltic 38. I just knew I’d separate my old cable when pulling the new through...yup, it did. After a couple of weekends and 5 trips up the mast, I’m fully operational today. Thanks for inspiring resilience a year in advance! Appreciate the videos, stay safe.

It doesn't get more authentic than this. Well done guys,

I'm learning many things, thank you and take care your self.

At top of mast overwhelmed with exhaustion and frustration......cue the lightning!!!

I’m just getting into your channel and I loved this episode. Your experience reminds me of so many projects and so many back and forth trips to Home Depot.lol! Now I take a deep breath and SLOW DOWN when I get near the end of a project to prevent myself from making time consuming mistakes. It works about half the time.

Josh, you are my new "Best" friend now. I'm a 1st time boat owner and purchased my Beneteau 352 last year. I'm also replacing original instruments installed back in 1999. All seemed straight forward expect my wind transducer. So So So glad I found you website and your video dealing with the same project. I'm now hooked on watching your BLOG. Thank you!

This is how ALL projects go, when things go well ... that is the exception !

two beers later and the funs over, victory good for you. Oh the thrill of sweet victory at 22:57

Just one word..... TENACITY!!

I realize this is an old video but this is EXACTLY how I fix things. Exactly!! Did this with a plumbing issue I had on a second floor apartment.

I guessed correctly every snafu just prior to you revealing the issue! Not bragging i just have 35 years working on mechanical stuff. Great video.

Never give up!!!! Good example of your experience....

JOSH YOU HAD ME IN FITS.....IT IS JUST THE SORT OF THING I GO THROUGH....I WAS PREDICTING WHAT WOULD GO WRONG NEXT.....CRACKED ME UP.. KEEP ON KEEPING ON....LUV THE CHANNEL ..DD

The only thing better than the video is your determination. Keep it up Man, looking forward to the last Bahamas videos and updates about future projects. I'm towards the end of my PhD and refitting a small 25ft boat to get some sailing experience with my girlfriend, dreaming of a sailing journey sometime in the (indefinite) future. Your journey is very inspiring. You just show that, if you want, you can do it (and you can define that future). Thanks.

What a teacher - what a lesson!

Persistence is the mother of good luck. Well done

Super proud, I'm calling you Todd Murphy from now on.

So fun to share the agony and ecstasy of boat projects with others of marginal skill and familiar dementia.

Man, thats some patience. Though I've made similar mistakes and had Murphy's law on my side, I do dry runs very often for fit and installation, and drill undersized and ream to fit. Does not eliminate all problems but minimize the issues. Still you did it but sure took many days. I enjoy your videos and subscribed a while back. Thanks for sharing.

Josh, you rock. I I have had bad days where everything goes south. I usually walk away and continue the next day. I never had had day after day. Great determination and patience. Love the video's.

So real...I was with you the whole time...

Dear Josh, this episode was really cool and funny. When I started to watch, I imagined what could have gone wrong, as I saw the people of the Sailing UMA exchanging of the electric cable from their boat mast anchored in a float in Puerto Rico, and it seemed to be very easy. Evidently, the interior of the mast was different. Congratulations on perseverance. Never give up. One tip, reduce the distance between the knot and the climbing harness, so you'll be in a position to work over the mast, and will be able to see what you're doing. And tie all the tools, because if they fall out of your hand, they will not hurt anyone, or the boat. And you wont loose the tool.....Great video!!!

Re-iterating what so many are saying, awesome video, great portrayal of the frustrations of working on the boat, and though I was laughing at the issues you ran into along way as I was seeing myself in the same situations, you handled it so much better than I would have. Great job! Well done!

If ever a video deserved a like it is this one.

And that Sir is an outstanding result...Sure hope you called the guy who told you it was impossible, just to let him know. Your Fiance's reaction was gold!

great job done, I'm just about to pick up my first new NMEA2000 nav system and this will be installed later in April. Installation of depth and wind sensor just like You did, so thanks ! I learned a lot, You got yourself a new subscriber ;)

Proper planning prevents piss poor performance, but good to see you kept going, always have in mind that somewhere, sometime, someone has already met all the problems you are now facing.

Ah brings back memories. Long ago in a galaxy far etc etc. the 33' C+C 3/4 tonner I sailed on all the time, had a repair done to the mast that required welding. The mast repair took longer than expected (Captain Murphy came by for coffee). Ended up putting the mast in, late one afternoon/evening. It was full dark before we realized that none of the mast head instruments worked. The masthead light was working however. So early next morning I get hoisted to the masthead. Ahh, the instruments aren't plugged in. Hmmm, the plugs don't match. Some time later, involving some yelling up and down, we came to the realization it was typical case of North American blind stupidity: the instrument cable was upside down. The bottom of teh B+G cable was at the top of the mast... Worse the instrument cable was taped together with the masthead light wires and the little Windex light wires. Luckily there was good access to the base of the mast. They disconnected everything at the bottom and connected a feed line, and I hauled the whole mess up out of the top of the mast until a got to the feed line. That took, in total about 2 hours. We then had to cut all the tape off, remember to *test the instruments with the cable*, and tape it all back together. I then went back up the mast to feed the 'snake' back down. Took another couple of hours, as the 'snake; kept getting hung up. Eventually I had to haul it back up and wrap the join to the feed line with a long tapered wrap of tape. And then it did not want to come out of the hole at the bottom as it was now too stiff! I stayed up there while the connections were all made, and we tested the setup. Success. And when I was lowered to the deck, finally, I couldn't stand due to a cramp in one leg and the other having gone to sleep! That was in a bosun's chair, but it wasn't that comfortable. I was up the mast all told, in excess of 5 hours. Luckily it was a nice day and the only damage was some sunburn on my ears (which had no sun block!) And the next morning I had to go up again, to replace the worn spinnaker halyard sheave which I had spotted the day before.

That's so funny I was crying... glad you got sorted, and you didn't take down the mast >>> few more great hairs though ...

This is my life...nothing ever seems to go as planned. I'm glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for sharing your accomplishments!!

I watch this video when I think I have a bad day and I feel better.

fantastic video. found your channel while I was also plotting out my approach to install my B&G system. I'm taking my mast down, because I have a full conduit, the old Coaxial cable to the VHF antenna and all the wires need to be replaced. Your broken wire forced you to use the conduit and that in turn saved your sanity... having a wire moving inside the mast and slapping back and forth inside the mast will keep you awake at night and reduce your quality of life.. B&G could have done a much better job with the installation manual, I've turned to the internet and found you. Thanks for your efforts to share your story with us.

I felt like I just watched a recap of EVERY boat project I've done,... EVER!!! Great job staying cool and persevering.

Man! Did you realize you took food from the mouth of some mantainance-guy's family??? Hahahaha! That was awesome!!! Congrats!

Well done and always keep your spirits up ! Never be defeated.

Out of my anguish I belly laughed! It is so sad- that's exactly how my boating experiences go! I'm glad you persevered and won! Like the college graduate says, "Don't never give up!"!!!

I have done the same thing, for the same reason...$$$$... like they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat! super enjoy your videos. we will have to catch up when you get to San Diego. You have a ton of people behind you and rooting for you!

Amazing and so inspiring! The tolerance you have AND filming the entire process for us so see. Thank you SO much for sharing! You make great videos! NOTHING can`t be done!! Love it and will think of this on future setbacks. Fair winds from Sweden.

A lot of hard work! A saga to have this wind vane working! Congratulations! You made it!

Nice perseverance Josh. I just finished remodeling a 1950’ s house. Very similar to the trials and tribulations of your journey. Madness when the most simplest job becomes treacherous to your health and sanity! Stay the course and i hope to see you on the sea someday!

Love the attitude 💚💙

Great job 👍

I'm just impressed as all hell you guys were climbing that mast like it was nothing on and off for all those days - That's more impressive by itself than all the problems you navigated ! LOL... Good stuff ! 👍👍👍 (I'm a pretty athletic fit guy with a can do attitude but I honestly don't know if I would have risked all those climbs; Good on you!)

Your videos are really fun to watch! Your style of presentation is humorous and yet insightful! Well done!😉

extremely well done! boat projects can be intensely frustrating and humiliating. But your time in JAG in front of judges day in and day out conditioned you. I have had 43 years of the crap making a shitter repair look glorious.

Peaks and troughs, joy and pain we all all get there in the end! Well done Josh, another step closer . Keep them coming , lovin it.

I love this channel. Your can-do attitude is a giant inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to make these top notch videos.

I think the saying that fits the best is when it rains it pours. Well done on the getting done i wouldn't of had that amount of patience.

I literally sat here for the whole video with my morning coffee holding my breath and clutching my coffee cup. Hahaha. I'm glad it all worked out in the end. If there is one thing this video taught me, it's that I definitely do *not* like heights and that I'm going to have the mast unstepped and replace everything at the same time if possible. :)

Respect!

Great episode and I respect your determination not to give up.

As soon as you said power hammer drill, I knew exactly what happened. Save yourself some time and blood pressure and predrill properly. Those impact drivers should be called screw breakers.

love it ,,,some times it is easy ,,,well sort of !

Jeez! What a palava! Well done though :-)

Once at the top of my boat mast, the vise grip slipped of my hand and fell on my wife's head. I almost killed her. As mentioned before, tie a safety line from the tool to your wrist or something similar. "Never give up" sailing, cheers, Richard

Paylaşımınız için sağolun.

You got to move that light !

Just watched this here in the UK having spent the weekend working on my old Westerly sailing boat in North Wales. WELL DONE MATE. Had my own up and down the mast trials a couple of years ago (damaged fore stay in my case). I can really recommend the mast ladders that you fit into the mainsail track and haul up ... I admire your head for heights! once again well done!

good job!, regards from Argentina!

Rarely do I stress over someone's RU-vid posting but I felt like I was right there working with you...excellent work Josh!

legend!

I did not check all 166 comments but I would have used an electricians fish tape. It is coiled flat wire designed to pull wire. I have used it working on my home. works great and can be used to pull wire in other parts of the boat. If life were too easy it would not be so much fun.

Whilst you are running cables up/down the mast probably worth a look at lights on top of the mast replace with LED. And replace old cable if not tinned.

awesome job, never surrender, never give up the ship!

Look on the bright side. No freak lightning storm. Maybe test fit and test electronics before breaking out the hammer drill. Great video though. Fun to watch.

Great video. That's a typical day for me when I do my own projects.

Loved the video - Inspiring story of perseverance and a never give up state of mind!

Nice work! I'm glad you figured it out and didn't give up!

This video was more stressful than watching someone sail through a hurricane! Glad it all worked out.

Wow great job! Side note: any women who gets that excited over your accomplishments is worth keeping!

Success never felt so good Josh. Good job. Nice to have a friend that was there for you. Big help!

Great determination Josh, I like your spirit. This episode had a lot of lessons for me.. Awesome episode as well. Keep them coming.

Wow that was awesome I think by the third day i wouldve been paying someone to do it. But all that determination did pay off was great to see that screen come on and work.

I laughed out loud at the sequence at 20:08. Great video!

Great video! And good job and attitude - in spite of the trials.

Well done you have taught me so much in this one video and I admire your (on camera) patience, I would imagine the bloopers are too explicit to publish. Great Video

Josh, You can’t give me your boat. Well done, it pays to be stubborn sometimes.

Look on the bright side. You generated enough material for a video. Enjoyed the video.

I had so much fun watching this video and I learned a lot!! Thank you so much and for sharing!!!!

Wow that looks like so much fun! I think I saw your brain explode at least five times. Please make some more enthralling videos

Very nice episode, i am really glad for you it worked out fine!!

amazing resolve brother what a great feeling to see that wind reading!

that was so much fun I subscribed

Great video! I’ve ended up in similar situations and spent embarrassing amounts of time getting out of them. Persistence!

One minute in and and I hit the subscribe button ... AGAIN! I didn't realize I was already subscribed D:

Hey Josh, you have the patience of a Saint my friend....... Great work to get that cable through the mast...... man, your making me nervous about buying a SailBoat...

Wish you had pulled an extra line through when you pulled the cable up, for future use"....

they gave your a bit of a bum steer in the first place. The line cable from the wind vein should be in a color yellow to meet the 2000 standard . Suggest you mark the line end with yellow tape or yellow heat shrink so you know that the end is a termination point for the future technician will know as well

That was awesome, congrats

That job requires a nice cold beer at the end. What a mission just to get a cable up a mast 😱💨

Great editing. That's a lot of work

Good grief!!! I’m days away from doing this on my Ericson...I best ready the rum! Congratulations on the continued success!

This was an amazing story! And great story-telling too. I watched the whole thing! And usually you're such a classy man, it was funny to see the profanity taking over at the peaks of the frustration! hahaha But you made it, congratulations!!

Tim Allen's quote from the movie "Galaxy Quest" : "Never surrender, Never give up!"..

Great vid! I have learnt the lesson of cheap power tools too.