I'm looking for others' experience in mast climbing gear. At 6'4" and 235lbs I'm too much of a load for someone to grind me up in a bosun's chair and I single-hand a lot, so I'm concerned that one day that dreaded event will come where I'm alone at sea and have to go up (shiver!). I tried a top-climber at a boat show, but just didn't feel comfortable. Now I'm looking at mast ladders. Any experiences good or bad? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance, Palmer
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couple of options
Don't knkow what the mast climber you refer to is, but I have two systems to consider. For single handing, I use two ascenders (mountain climbing equipment), a bosun chair, and a pair of foot loops made from a piece of line. By alternately standing up and sitting down, the ascenders allow me to go up a line strung from a halyard by myself. If my wife is with me, I use a 4 part block and tackle, yes it takes a lot of line, but she can easily winch me up the mast. I am still thinking of a way I can pull myself up with the block/tackle, must be a way to rig this up.
Don't knkow what the mast climber you refer to is, but I have two systems to consider. For single handing, I use two ascenders (mountain climbing equipment), a bosun chair, and a pair of foot loops made from a piece of line. By alternately standing up and sitting down, the ascenders allow me to go up a line strung from a halyard by myself. If my wife is with me, I use a 4 part block and tackle, yes it takes a lot of line, but she can easily winch me up the mast. I am still thinking of a way I can pull myself up with the block/tackle, must be a way to rig this up.
Palmer, a fellow skipper tried the mast ladder...
that he got at WM and ended up taking it back because it was too difficult to climb. He was of average build. This is the one that slides up the mast track using the main halyard. Terry
that he got at WM and ended up taking it back because it was too difficult to climb. He was of average build. This is the one that slides up the mast track using the main halyard. Terry
Top Climber
I use a top climber (bosun's chair with foot loops). It takes some getting used to, but with a little practice you can go up and down fairly easily. I used to use a gant line which is just a rope four times as long as your mast is high. With three blocks you can get a 4:1 purchase. At 235 lbs you would be pulling 58 lbs up instead of 235. I have never heard anything good about mast steps (but I am probably about to now). I've heard some terrible stories of people getting their foot hung up and hanging upside down from the mast. They also are prone to tangling anything that gets near them... Just my opinion
I use a top climber (bosun's chair with foot loops). It takes some getting used to, but with a little practice you can go up and down fairly easily. I used to use a gant line which is just a rope four times as long as your mast is high. With three blocks you can get a 4:1 purchase. At 235 lbs you would be pulling 58 lbs up instead of 235. I have never heard anything good about mast steps (but I am probably about to now). I've heard some terrible stories of people getting their foot hung up and hanging upside down from the mast. They also are prone to tangling anything that gets near them... Just my opinion
Try ascenders
My son uses them to go up the mast and they great. His clamps onto his legs and he goes uop like he is climbing a ladder probably in less time than it took to read this.
My son uses them to go up the mast and they great. His clamps onto his legs and he goes uop like he is climbing a ladder probably in less time than it took to read this.
Also Use Ascenders
I also use a pair of ascenders with a bosuns chair, SOSpenders harness, foot straps and a climbing line tied off to the main halyard. Currently I'm using the ascenders in reverse for decending on the same line I went up on but I'm planning to add a second line for decending and use a decender. Ascenders: http://www.gonzoguanogear.com/acdec.html [see the gold and blue pair, L & R, upper right picture] Auto-braking descender: see above link [blue w/ red handle] Foot and Knee rigging: http://www.treetools.com/catalog/gibbs/gibbsascenders.htm Locking carabiners: need an assortment. Training: seek out the best climber(s) you can find. We live in an area where there are a lot of climbers and climbing is even taught at the local college. Don't be surprised if each climber you talk to has a slightly different take on the way it should be done.
I also use a pair of ascenders with a bosuns chair, SOSpenders harness, foot straps and a climbing line tied off to the main halyard. Currently I'm using the ascenders in reverse for decending on the same line I went up on but I'm planning to add a second line for decending and use a decender. Ascenders: http://www.gonzoguanogear.com/acdec.html [see the gold and blue pair, L & R, upper right picture] Auto-braking descender: see above link [blue w/ red handle] Foot and Knee rigging: http://www.treetools.com/catalog/gibbs/gibbsascenders.htm Locking carabiners: need an assortment. Training: seek out the best climber(s) you can find. We live in an area where there are a lot of climbers and climbing is even taught at the local college. Don't be surprised if each climber you talk to has a slightly different take on the way it should be done.
TOP CLIMBER
I was leary about the ATN topclimber but when it went on sail at sailnet i thought that i have thrown more money that that in junk so why not try.. Now i am a 57 Year old out of shape 240lb beer drinking sailor and on my first try i made it to the masthead and removed the wind instrument. It wasn't the easiest thing i have done in my life but it worked just as advertised. I have since gotten better at it and don't know what i would have done without it. I have changed ALL my standing rigging, mast lights and whatever on the mast of my Hunter 37 cutter and have no regrets. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. Just a word of caution, It doesn't work easy the first time so take your time. each time it gets easier and over time it is easier and quicker than finding someone to crank my fat ass up the mast....( hey can you crank me up to the mast head so i can check the anchor light?... oh sorry chet i have to clean the holding tank and change some oil in my engine, maybe next month some time.....) and you can do it anywhere, without any help....FWIW cp
I was leary about the ATN topclimber but when it went on sail at sailnet i thought that i have thrown more money that that in junk so why not try.. Now i am a 57 Year old out of shape 240lb beer drinking sailor and on my first try i made it to the masthead and removed the wind instrument. It wasn't the easiest thing i have done in my life but it worked just as advertised. I have since gotten better at it and don't know what i would have done without it. I have changed ALL my standing rigging, mast lights and whatever on the mast of my Hunter 37 cutter and have no regrets. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. Just a word of caution, It doesn't work easy the first time so take your time. each time it gets easier and over time it is easier and quicker than finding someone to crank my fat ass up the mast....( hey can you crank me up to the mast head so i can check the anchor light?... oh sorry chet i have to clean the holding tank and change some oil in my engine, maybe next month some time.....) and you can do it anywhere, without any help....FWIW cp
Been There
I own a 45' mast ladder and purchased a Top Climber a few years ago. I'm about your size. The first two trips up were difficult and slow but I got better after using it. It's way safer than the ladder. Got a good deal on a mast ladder if you really want one. Daryl
I own a 45' mast ladder and purchased a Top Climber a few years ago. I'm about your size. The first two trips up were difficult and slow but I got better after using it. It's way safer than the ladder. Got a good deal on a mast ladder if you really want one. Daryl
Heights - Ugh!
Good replies to this article and I suppose the time will come when I too will have to go to top of mast on my 336. So far I have been up to first spreader to untangle a broken lazy jack on a jury rigged bosun chair. I don't like heights and am probably too anal thinking about all the possible things that could go wrong: sheave gives way, halyard snaps, hardware lets me down, etc. But the time may come when I will have to bite the bullet and should be prepared for that emergency and have gear standing by that will take me safely to the masthead (and maybe save a few bucks by doing casual repairs/maintenace myself). Can those that have used TopClimber please add a few more details on all the gear that is needed and any tips from your experiences. thank you. Bob Pilgrim
Good replies to this article and I suppose the time will come when I too will have to go to top of mast on my 336. So far I have been up to first spreader to untangle a broken lazy jack on a jury rigged bosun chair. I don't like heights and am probably too anal thinking about all the possible things that could go wrong: sheave gives way, halyard snaps, hardware lets me down, etc. But the time may come when I will have to bite the bullet and should be prepared for that emergency and have gear standing by that will take me safely to the masthead (and maybe save a few bucks by doing casual repairs/maintenace myself). Can those that have used TopClimber please add a few more details on all the gear that is needed and any tips from your experiences. thank you. Bob Pilgrim
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