Anyone using a Swi-Tec mast lift with 10:1 purchase + bosun chair + harness? If so, what is your experience? If not, is there a better system?
Mast Climber
- Thread starter stephen Penny
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I'd never us one, and a 10:1 purchase is ridiculous.
Get a 3' long 2x10, drill 1" holes about 1" in from each corner and use rope to make a handy bosun's chair. I use two loops with knots in each end then attach the loops with a shackle to the halyard. ALWAYS secure yourself to the halyard with a second line around your chest and under your arm pits. then take the mainsail halyard and use the winch and a helper (never go aloft with out a helper on deck) to get up the mast.
Get a 3' long 2x10, drill 1" holes about 1" in from each corner and use rope to make a handy bosun's chair. I use two loops with knots in each end then attach the loops with a shackle to the halyard. ALWAYS secure yourself to the halyard with a second line around your chest and under your arm pits. then take the mainsail halyard and use the winch and a helper (never go aloft with out a helper on deck) to get up the mast.
Stephen,
A quick look at that setup and it looks like a 10:1 rope fall that you could hoist and use just about anywhere. An interesting idea but my first thoughts are that it's sort of big and expensive and 10:1 will be a lot of pulling, although it will be easy pulling!
Also... 1250.00 Euro, yikes!
I use an ATN Top Climber and am fairly happy with it, and it's much, much less expensive than the rope fall. I know a few sailors that have essentially created their own Top Climber by buying two ascenders and a climbing harness at an outdoor store (REI).
I like the ATN because it's compact, easy to set up and I singlehand a lot so it's been nice to have something I can use safely without having another person around. The ATN is easier to use the lighter you are though so if your weight to height ratio isn't quite "standard" it could be quite a work out to use.
Of course being winched to the top by someone else will be much easier but that is not the design of the ATN, it's more of a single handers solution to going aloft.
A quick look at that setup and it looks like a 10:1 rope fall that you could hoist and use just about anywhere. An interesting idea but my first thoughts are that it's sort of big and expensive and 10:1 will be a lot of pulling, although it will be easy pulling!
Also... 1250.00 Euro, yikes!I use an ATN Top Climber and am fairly happy with it, and it's much, much less expensive than the rope fall. I know a few sailors that have essentially created their own Top Climber by buying two ascenders and a climbing harness at an outdoor store (REI).
I like the ATN because it's compact, easy to set up and I singlehand a lot so it's been nice to have something I can use safely without having another person around. The ATN is easier to use the lighter you are though so if your weight to height ratio isn't quite "standard" it could be quite a work out to use.
Of course being winched to the top by someone else will be much easier but that is not the design of the ATN, it's more of a single handers solution to going aloft.
Steve:
You already have a power winch. What is wrong with going up the stick with your winch on the main halyard?
You already have a power winch. What is wrong with going up the stick with your winch on the main halyard?
A Vote For The ATN
Stephen,
I too use the ATN and it's very simple and reliable. I purchased it at a consignement chandlery (sp) in Annapolis for about half the cost of a new unit though it certainly looked new. I've used it several times with no problems. I'm 6'1" and weigh a jiggly 207lbs. Even though you can get to the top with no help, whenever possibleI prefer to have someone around who can still man a safety line while I climb.
Good luck.
Stephen,
I too use the ATN and it's very simple and reliable. I purchased it at a consignement chandlery (sp) in Annapolis for about half the cost of a new unit though it certainly looked new. I've used it several times with no problems. I'm 6'1" and weigh a jiggly 207lbs. Even though you can get to the top with no help, whenever possibleI prefer to have someone around who can still man a safety line while I climb.
Good luck.
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