I was just browsing through some old archives when I ran across a post about using a climbers harness and a couple of ascenders to climb the mast. I use them and they work great, but this post also recommended never using the main halyard, They hoist a dedicated climbing line. I have always just used the halyard and have never noticed damage to it. Would that be the reason for using the dedicated line?
Going aloft with Ascenders
- Thread starter Cheers14182
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Main and climbing ropes are made differently. Just take a closer look at the angle of the weave. Halyard have to reduce streach while climbing rope wants to have some streach. And beside, marine halyard cost more than climbing rope of the same leogth. They are much easier to replace as you don't have to splice an eye and shackle on the end. I use a pair of Petzl Ascension Ascender, various webbings and a bosun's chair to go up and down. If you take a closer look at the ascender you'll notice they have many tiny hooks in the cam which eats marine haylard lines. However, climbing ropes have much closer weave but they are more springy. My $0.02
Main and climbing ropes are made differently. Just take a closer look at the angle of the weave. Halyard have to reduce streach while climbing rope wants to have some streach. And beside, marine halyard cost more than climbing rope of the same leogth. They are much easier to replace as you don't have to splice an eye and shackle on the end. I use a pair of Petzl Ascension Ascender, various webbings and a bosun's chair to go up and down. If you take a closer look at the ascender you'll notice they have many tiny hooks in the cam which eats marine haylard lines. However, climbing ropes have much closer weave but they are more springy. My $0.02
I have a four part dedicated tackle for ascending
the mast. I haul it to the mast head and attach to that and use my ascenders in the fall which Nancy also tails on the jib winch. I safety off on the main halyard and Nancy keeps the slack out of that. I don't inflict any wear on my running rigging.
the mast. I haul it to the mast head and attach to that and use my ascenders in the fall which Nancy also tails on the jib winch. I safety off on the main halyard and Nancy keeps the slack out of that. I don't inflict any wear on my running rigging.
Use Separate Line Also
Some time ago I came across a new low-stretch line on sale that was high quality and so I use it in lieu of the main halyard. The line is more than twice the length as the mast is tall so I secure the middle of it to the 9/16" main halyard. This way I go up one line with two ascenders and descend on the other. The one that is used for ascending is secured to take the bulk of the slack out of it and this makes using the ascenders easier and faster. The ascenders probably do put some wear-and-tear on the line with their little teeth (but I don't know what for a fact) so that's why I use something else besides the main halyard. Plus, another factor, the 9/16" line is either at the top range of what the ascender will accept or past it. I forgot how many mm's the ascender will accept - it's stamped on them but they're in storage for the winter. Don't know if this helps much but it's the best I can do.
Some time ago I came across a new low-stretch line on sale that was high quality and so I use it in lieu of the main halyard. The line is more than twice the length as the mast is tall so I secure the middle of it to the 9/16" main halyard. This way I go up one line with two ascenders and descend on the other. The one that is used for ascending is secured to take the bulk of the slack out of it and this makes using the ascenders easier and faster. The ascenders probably do put some wear-and-tear on the line with their little teeth (but I don't know what for a fact) so that's why I use something else besides the main halyard. Plus, another factor, the 9/16" line is either at the top range of what the ascender will accept or past it. I forgot how many mm's the ascender will accept - it's stamped on them but they're in storage for the winter. Don't know if this helps much but it's the best I can do.
The real reason to use a dedicated line is
Gravity. use the halyard as a safity line. tom S/v GAIA
Gravity. use the halyard as a safity line. tom S/v GAIA
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