Does anyone own an ATN TopClimber? It seems a little pricey, but something I'm very interested in. Any comments, suggestions, or thoughts on this device would be GREATLY appreciated. The url is: http://www.atninc.com/topclimber.html Thanks, Gary
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Climbing gear.
Gary: This is basically just climbing gear. Take a look at their system and then go to a REI or mountain climbing store, they can reproduce the system for you. The ATN system is basically ascenders and descenders with some nylon straps for your feet.
Gary: This is basically just climbing gear. Take a look at their system and then go to a REI or mountain climbing store, they can reproduce the system for you. The ATN system is basically ascenders and descenders with some nylon straps for your feet.
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Don
I bought one last fall
And I'm embarrassed to admit that I have not used it yet. Seems easy and Defender definitely had the best price ($285 or so). Comes with a nice little video that tells you the basics. Note that you have to have a specific size line (5/8's I think). That's my holdup, I haven't bought the line yet, but summer's coming.
And I'm embarrassed to admit that I have not used it yet. Seems easy and Defender definitely had the best price ($285 or so). Comes with a nice little video that tells you the basics. Note that you have to have a specific size line (5/8's I think). That's my holdup, I haven't bought the line yet, but summer's coming.
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henry Weber
ATN climbing gear
I bought the device last year and like it very much even though at the time I thought it too expensive. It is well made and safe. Everything fits well. I can climb to the mast head with relatively little effort. At first it was hard but with a bit of practise it becomes easy. You should invest in a new proper size static line. Mine is 55 ft. of 1/2 in. double braid dacron. I tie this line to 2 different halyards and raise it as high as possible (the masthead sheave). The other end is made fast to a cleat. To work properly at the top of the mast your waist needs to be about even with the top of the masthead. Because of the way the support straps are cut this is possible with the ATN climber. In addition the seat and back support are quite comfortable so that you don't mind spending 20 or 30 minutes suspended. These are the reasons that I now think the price is acceptable. email me if you want to know more Henry (henry001@bigfoot.com)
I bought the device last year and like it very much even though at the time I thought it too expensive. It is well made and safe. Everything fits well. I can climb to the mast head with relatively little effort. At first it was hard but with a bit of practise it becomes easy. You should invest in a new proper size static line. Mine is 55 ft. of 1/2 in. double braid dacron. I tie this line to 2 different halyards and raise it as high as possible (the masthead sheave). The other end is made fast to a cleat. To work properly at the top of the mast your waist needs to be about even with the top of the masthead. Because of the way the support straps are cut this is possible with the ATN climber. In addition the seat and back support are quite comfortable so that you don't mind spending 20 or 30 minutes suspended. These are the reasons that I now think the price is acceptable. email me if you want to know more Henry (henry001@bigfoot.com)
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Barry
Got One, Haven't Tried it Yet
Yeah, too much money but I got one from a friend who never used it for half price. Maybe still too much money, I'll let you know. I agree with earlier post, try mountain climbing gear Barry
Yeah, too much money but I got one from a friend who never used it for half price. Maybe still too much money, I'll let you know. I agree with earlier post, try mountain climbing gear Barry
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Craig Steinkraus
ATN Climber
I agree with Henry, it's well made unit and allows you to work above the masthead. I've had mine for 2 seasons now. You can tell when a piece of equipment works well when the other sailboats on the dock are asking to borrow it. The learning curve at first is a bit steep, but with a little practice becomes quite easy. Craig Steinkraus
I agree with Henry, it's well made unit and allows you to work above the masthead. I've had mine for 2 seasons now. You can tell when a piece of equipment works well when the other sailboats on the dock are asking to borrow it. The learning curve at first is a bit steep, but with a little practice becomes quite easy. Craig Steinkraus
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Bob Camarena
Making my own
I'm also making my own. I had already purchased one ascender from REI after observing a guy using one in combination with a block and tackle and a bosun's chair. As it turned out, I'm a little (make that a lot) too heavy for my 4:1 purchase, so I'm going to spring for another ascender and rig up a home-made top climber.
I'm also making my own. I had already purchased one ascender from REI after observing a guy using one in combination with a block and tackle and a bosun's chair. As it turned out, I'm a little (make that a lot) too heavy for my 4:1 purchase, so I'm going to spring for another ascender and rig up a home-made top climber.
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Denny P.
Where can ya find it???????
Guys,,,I've not heard of the equipment that you are discussing..I have little faith in a bosuns chair and whould like something that I can have a little more faith in on my way up the mast. Any info would be appreciated!! Denny P.
Guys,,,I've not heard of the equipment that you are discussing..I have little faith in a bosuns chair and whould like something that I can have a little more faith in on my way up the mast. Any info would be appreciated!! Denny P.
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Dave Mauney
Harness and Mountain Shop Gear
I am putting one together now to mimic ATN. I am using a Brion Toss Harness (URL:https://commerce5.pair.com/brion/cgi-bin/web_store/web_store.cgi) and a mountain Texas Inch worm rig from CMI Mountaineering (URL:http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/webcraft/assling.asp). Also two ascenders from CMI. They are helpful to talk to. For the upper Harness I am using a regular Sospends chest harness. Watching ATN's and others with home made rigs I notice that they spend a lot of effort and one arm staying upright, thus the upper harness. I am looking at using Mast Steps from Fastep (URL:http://www.fastep-safbrak.com/) to stand on doing mast head work. This is an expensive path but given some of the conditions I may have go aloft in and what a fall from 40ft plus can do to my quality of life it is cheep insurance. Any comments would be appreciated. Good Winds Dave s/v DAMWEGAS
I am putting one together now to mimic ATN. I am using a Brion Toss Harness (URL:https://commerce5.pair.com/brion/cgi-bin/web_store/web_store.cgi) and a mountain Texas Inch worm rig from CMI Mountaineering (URL:http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/webcraft/assling.asp). Also two ascenders from CMI. They are helpful to talk to. For the upper Harness I am using a regular Sospends chest harness. Watching ATN's and others with home made rigs I notice that they spend a lot of effort and one arm staying upright, thus the upper harness. I am looking at using Mast Steps from Fastep (URL:http://www.fastep-safbrak.com/) to stand on doing mast head work. This is an expensive path but given some of the conditions I may have go aloft in and what a fall from 40ft plus can do to my quality of life it is cheep insurance. Any comments would be appreciated. Good Winds Dave s/v DAMWEGAS
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Don
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GaryC
Thanks everyone!
All, Thanks to everyone for the great input! I truly do appreciate all of it... Gary
All, Thanks to everyone for the great input! I truly do appreciate all of it... Gary
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