Mast Climbers

[Barry7363]

I have been looking for a new Bosun's Chair ever since receiving a letter from West Marine stating that their "Professional" bosun's chair has been recalled... and to bring it back for a refund. Since I'm making a change, I thought the ATN Mast climber might be a better option. Has anyone had experience with this device? Appreciate your help,

Cheers,

Barry

 

[sailingdog]

Barry-

The ATN TopClimber works fairly well. I prefer using a climbing harness, as getting a frog climbing harness setup is considerably less expensive. The ATN TopClimber is about $340 street retail, and a Frog Climbing harness system is about $200.

 

[GKuffner]

I bought the ATN Mast Climber this year and tried it a couple of times. I found it to be well designed and straight forward to use although you need some strength to use it and it takes time to climb the mast. I liked the idea that I could go up the mast while having my wife tend the safety line that I rigged up. The bonus is that you can also use the harness like a standard bosons chair and be hauled up the mast using a winch. The down side is the price and the need to purchase a 1/2" low stretch rope equal to the high of your mast above the deck plus extra to tie it off to a cleat. While at the top of the mast the leg straps give you the ability to stand while straddling the mast and giving you a secure position.

Gary

 

[Pat T]

Ditto Gary's comments

It is easy on the person at the bottom. The guy in the chair does the work. At first using the ATN TopClimber seems a little akward but like everything else you get used to it. Every trip up is a bit easier. I used a bosun's chair for years but since I bought the TopClimber I have not used it.

 

[Hermit Scott]

climbing harness

I have a climbing harness ste up I intend to use for the same purpose. I rock climb so I already had the stuff, I didn't buy it just to work on my mast. A word of caution when using a climbing harness instead of a bosun chair. The chairs are designed to support you while you sit there not moving around much while a harness is designed for you to be moving your legs around and using them to support you. The chairs distribute the pressure of underneath you better and allow blood flow. The climbing harness is generally designed with narrower straps better to suit a climbers purpose.
You have to be careful because sometimes while sitting in a climbing harness for too long the oxygen is depleted in the blood in your legs, then when you do readjust your harness that blood flows to the rest of your body and to your brain and you pass out. EMT's that work climbing areas will tell you about rescuing climbers hanging upside down passed out.
I think a rope tied to your support knot at your waist then ran down so you can stand on loops to take the pressure off the harness under your butt would work well.
Climbing harness $40
150' of 12mm static rope $75

 

[Barry7363]

Mast Climbers responses appreciated

Thanks for the feedback, I'll be looking for the ATN next trip to the states, (any best buys?)
Cheers,
Barry

 

[Steve Dion]

Issues:

1. Do you have someone that can hoist you up the mast? This is not an easy process even when you have someone with reasonable strength.

2. The Top Climber does not require anyone to raise and lower you. That is a big advantage. It also takds some strength and endurance until you learn how to use it.

3. If you have a power winch you can easily go up/down without much ado.

4. A climbing harness offer the best comfort and a feeling of security.

5. The bosun's chair provides storage for tools and hardware, but can be difficult to get things in/out of the pockets.