I never fail to recall the story of the couple in Friday Harbor. The husband felt only he could do a particular job at the masthead, though he was much larger than his petite wife who he left in charge of winching him up. She lost him about forty feet off the deck - he broke both legs, his back and neck, and was paralyzed for the rest of his life. That's why I always send the admiral up - I know I can hold her! Also another good reason for a windlass on our boat - I much prefer it to using a winch.