Mast-Lifehack 1: A balloon to avoid rattling traps
We had installed a radar on the spreader with the mast upright. With the two additional cables, numerous cables were now banging against the mast standing on the keel from the inside, and even the slight rolling of the ship caused an annoying background noise, especially below deck. As we had little desire to pull the mast again, we came up with the following solution and implemented it successfully: an eight millimetre hole was drilled into the mast under the cabin roof and a balloon was inserted through the hole with a cotton bud. This was then inflated from the outside so that it now presses against the mast from the inside. The cables are pinched at this point, but also have less room to manoeuvre in the rest of the mast thanks to this measure. This has made the nights much quieter and more pleasant. We have deburred the drill hole, but the balloon will not last forever. We have a few replacement balloons with us.
Gerrit Paetow, Steinhude
Mast lifehack 2: Flexible stop for the mast wedges
On ships with a through-stepped mast, the profile is often fixed in the deck with wedges. Especially when rigging, when not all the spacers are in place, the wedges easily slip through the deck. To prevent this, we place a solid rubber profile about one centimetre thick around the tube after setting the mast. To prevent the tape from slipping, an endless hose clip is then placed around it and the rubber is pulled onto the mast.
Manfred Schmidt, Stampe
Mast-Lifehack 3: A tray for the rainwater
In the event of rain, through-stepped masts allow water to enter the ship through the halyard outlets. On ours, there is still some space under the steel mast support. We cut a plastic tub to size so that it fits under the mast shoe. A foldable version from the outdoor shop would also be conceivable. In some weather conditions, the tub collects up to five litres in just a few hours. Our bilge has been dust-dry ever since.
Günter Löffler, Uetersen
Big tree lifehack 1: Light in the tree
If there is something to be cleared in the tree, you need a light that is not too strong and even along the entire length of the dark tube. Torch light through side openings or a lamp at the other end will only dazzle. A Christmas light chain with the smallest possible yellow LEDs is much more suitable. This is fitted with a light, round weight and carefully shaken into the sloping tree profile. This works really well.
Marion and Stefan Sprickmann, by e-mail
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