Mast climber

[All U Get]

Hi all,

One of my projects has been to climb the mast and change the light bulbs. I did the search and found the thread: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=980204&highlight=mast climber

Seems easy enough and there's a ATN mast climber to be had so why not? A week ago I went up and found using the climber wore me out before I was halfway, (old age creeping up faster than I was creeping up). I dropped dow and three others took turns cranking me up. Found out the knot loops were too long so I colud only get my hands to the masthead.

Tried a different set-up yesterday getting the top climber and myself pulled to the top. I made it high enough to see over the masthead but couldn't steady my feet enough to use two hands. Talking to my friends below I couldn't figure out the problem with my balance. After about fifteen minutes I had enough so they lowered me back to the deck. My legs we a bit cramped and it didn't dawn on me until later that the top climber line wasn't tied off below once they pulled me to the top. Trying to balance on a slack line does expend a lot of energy.

Conclusion, next calm, sunny day I use a check list so as not to forget the small stuff. The only thing that would make it easier is a bottle of "Twenty years Younger", but I haven't seen any in the marine stores.

All U Get

 

[31seahorse]

Hello All You Get,

(1) Did you use anything to restrict the movement of your feet around the mast? We use a sail tie looped aroung our ankles and feet so that each foot is limited as to how far it can go around the sides of the mast. Keep the distance between your feet limited to less than one foot. That way you can let the sail tie provide some support when you go up and are at the top. (2) Use the other halyard as a safety line. (3) We add a Linesman's Belt to allow us to lean back when at the top. That helps, but I still tend to "hug the mast" as much as possible. (4) Definately, tighten the halyard and cleat it when you are at the working height you need. The last time you stand up should get your head and shoulders at the mast top.

The safety line and the Lineman's Belt complicate movement as you go above the spreaders, but is well worth the effort when you are at the top.

Best Wishes & Be Careful, Phil

 

[Sailm8]

That's why I like the mast mate system. When you climb to the top you can stand on the top rung which is a solid rung. Of course you must use a safety line no matter what system you choose. Everyone likes their own method as you will see by the postings.

The second best system is to get someone else to go up the mast.

 

[Tim R.]

For work that may require you to be up there longer, is it possible to also don a bosun's chair tied off to a halyard that you can sit in once at the top? May not get you the height but it would allow you to sit back and rest when needed. Use the climber to get over the top and use the chair to sit back and rest when needed or when some a$$hat comes by in a stinkpot!

 

[All U Get]

Hello All You Get,

(1) Did you use anything to restrict the movement of your feet around the mast? We use a sail tie looped aroung our ankles and feet so that each foot is limited as to how far it can go around the sides of the mast. Keep the distance between your feet limited to less than one foot. That way you can let the sail tie provide some support when you go up and are at the top.

The stirrups keep your feet together, maybe too close. I'll check that out.

(2) Use the other halyard as a safety line.

Yep, my wife had the foresail line on the other winch. She said it was always tight. hmmmm :zzz:

(3) We add a Linesman's Belt to allow us to lean back when at the top. That helps, but I still tend to "hug the mast" as much as possible.

Would love to have a FD ladder belt, used one during my younger years. I had a teather from my jackline that was a little long so we going to get something more adjustable.

(4) Definately, tighten the halyard and cleat it when you are at the working height you need. The last time you stand up should get your head and shoulders at the mast top.

That's the part we missed was tying the bottom end of the climbing line. Since I was hauled to the top we weren't using the climber to climb, just for sitting and standing purposes once I was secured to the top.

For work that may require you to be up there longer, is it possible to also don a bosun's chair tied off to a halyard that you can sit in once at the top? May not get you the height but it would allow you to sit back and rest when needed. Use the climber to get over the top and use the chair to sit back and rest when needed or when some a$$hat comes by in a stinkpot!

The top climber has a decent seat but the commercial traffic was picking up next door. There is always a container ship, car carrier, tanker, or barge with tug escorts moving on the river. I don't notice the little guys which during the week there aren't many. Next time I'm taking a sandwich, drink, and workbench with me so I can get it done.

All U Get

 

[capta]

I've always used a 5 or 7 part tackle on a halyard to take myself aloft with a proper bosun's chair. I have several lines of different lengths from the chair shackle with carabiners to snap to shrouds and/or stays as I go up to keep me from flying around.
It's pretty expensive to put together a good block and tackle set up these days, but really worth it if you think you might have to go aloft at sea. There is a special knot for this application that binds into the upward side of the upper block, locking the set up even if it comes untied.
Only problem with this rig is that it puts a block and tackle between the masthead and chair, but when I was younger I would stand in the chair. Now, I hire a rigger to work at the mast head. Most riggers I've met lately use the block and tackle set up and go up alone, but they use a harness instead of a chair which I fear might hurt my "junk" and looks very uncomfortable.
I must admit, it was a lot easier (and fun) to do much of this stuff when I was 20, 30 or even 50, but it sure beats a retirement home somewhere! And it doesn't hurt having a 24 year old sailing companion!

 

[Tom J]

I have used the ATN top climber for years. The trick is to keep the climbing line tensioned at all times. This makes the climbing and descending procedures much easier. I like the top climber because, once the climbing line is raised to the mast head, and the halyard is secured, there is no more messing with the halyard. Less chance for something to go wrong. I feel your pain, though. I'm not as young as I was when I got the top climber (I'm 63 now), so I definitely feel it after a climb to the mast head. Taking it slow seems to help. Of course, your mast is a lot taller than mine, so something other than climbing might work out a lot better.

 

[All U Get]

Capta,
I was thinking of rigging a 4:1 to a 3:1 "Z" system so the deck crew would have an easier time. I wouldn't have to pull up on the shrouds to assist climbing which would conserve the energy for the top. I have enough parts and line, just need a training session.

All U Get

 

[All U Get]

I feel your pain, though. I'm not as young as I was when I got the top climber (I'm 63 now), so I definitely feel it after a climb to the mast head. Taking it slow seems to help. Of course, your mast is a lot taller than mine, so something other than climbing might work out a lot better.

Yeah, legs still aching today so we went for a walk through the streets of Charelston. I never know what my wife might be thinking while we walk between stores, restaurants, and the marketplace. It's about as dangerous as any mall, too many good deals. Made it unscathed though and a bit more limber.

All U Get

 

[capta]

Capta,
I was thinking of rigging a 4:1 to a 3:1 "Z" system so the deck crew would have an easier time. I wouldn't have to pull up on the shrouds to assist climbing which would conserve the energy for the top. I have enough parts and line, just need a training session.

All U Get

I always designed my rig so that I could get aloft alone, at least at anchor or at the dock, if necessary. 5:1 makes it a 40# pull for a 200# person, etc.; you get the idea. But quite honestly, at this age I doubt I'll ever take myself aloft again, so 4 or 3.5 should be fine with help. I've always gone aloft with good shoes and long pants for protection and usually come down bruised and battered, especially at sea. Ain't yachting fun?

 

[rardiH36]

In case you haven't watched it, here is a link to Sailrite's ATN product page which includes a demonstration/instructional video. I found it useful because the intructions that come with the climber aren't that good. I also was not successful my first attempt to go up my mast. Never had done this type of climbing before. Not scared, just was freaky to be hanging from just the one line and supported by just the rope clutches. Also, as with you I needed to experiment with the setup. Next attempt got me to the top fine. Important to stay relaxed. Being tight is what uses all the energy. For me it's slow going because I also rig a second climbing line next to the mastclimber one. To this I affix a prusik (sp?) knot line which I attach to a climbing harness I also wear. Takes an extra step to move the prusik knot with each up/down ATN move. But makes me feel a lot more secure. I might get stuck up there, but I'm never going to fall!

http://www.sailrite.com/ATN-Top-Climber-Bosuns-Chair

 

[Gunni]

I use a climbers version of Etienne's device. The Spinlock climbing harness. I also have a dedicated climbing line - a properly measured section of low-stretch halyard with a hard outer braid. I climb that with ascender and gri-gri but have a mate hoist me with an extra halyard on a winch. So, I'm safe on my tied off, and tight climbing line, but power-assisted with the second halyard. Your wife could easily crank you up through a locked clutch, and you would be safely attached to your climbing line.

The belayed ride down on the gri gri is fun. Tie a line between your stirrups and press that against the mast coming down.

I toss my ascending line over a tree limb every spring and use that as part of my spring sail training. Core strength is essential and helps us dudes lose the pot belly, and build leg strength.

 

[Tom J]

Yeah, legs still aching today so we went for a walk through the streets of Charelston. I never know what my wife might be thinking while we walk between stores, restaurants, and the marketplace. It's about as dangerous as any mall, too many good deals. Made it unscathed though and a bit more limber.

All U Get

We loved the carriage ride through Charleston. Well worth it, and less temptations. We also enjoyed lunch at Poogan's Porch. Can't wait til our next cruise down that way!

 

[gettinthere]

Wife can easily haul me up on a spare halyard. Second spare halyard gets an ascender for my safety line.
To reach over the top, I have 2 fold up mast steps near the top to stand on. Need a line to wrap around the mast at the waist to free up both hands.

 

[Gunni]

Wife can easily haul me up on a spare halyard. Second spare halyard gets an ascender for my safety line.

That works! I tie off a dedicated climbing line to my halyard just because my gri-gri (a combo ascender and descender brake) seem to chew up my halyard cover braid.

 

[BayMan]

Has anyone tried "climbing sticks" to go up a mast. It's a hunting item to go up trees. Essentially build a ladder that is secured by straps to the mast. Need to use a safety harness but should work. Once harness is secured at top you should have both hands free.