I'm always amazed how much more power a halyard and winch go through on a boat this size(36' Cape Dory), raising a body, than they regularly see as a sail winch. It takes all the strength the person raising the bosun generally can muster. It's a feat even for the young fit guy. My biggest fear was the winch, installed,...20 years ago?,... flying off the mast. Then the tailing down, jaysus! One wrap!

I decided not to email the boatyard but hope the idea I gave the young guy, of using an extra halyard, at least, will come to mind next time. I just can't imagine hoisting someone without some back up.

The kid from Camden I mentioned was on the Appledore which was down in Key West for the winter. His girlfriend lost control of the halyard as she was lowering the young man and he went all the way, over 50 feet to the deck. He died a few hours later.

There's extra halyards on that mast that would have save his life.