Scored a mast climbing system!

[Tally Ho]

I climb my mast 2x a season. I use 2 Petzl ascenders on the main or spinnaker halyard, a chair connected to one, and foot loops on the lower one. I wear a climbing harness, secured to the other halyard for a backup.

Stand in the foot loops, and slide the top ascender (with the chair) up so the chair is under your bum…and sit. Raise your knees and slide the lower ascender up. Stand up in the loops, and repeat the process. Inchworm your way up the mast…not fast, but pretty simple and reliable way up.

To come down, reverse the process. Sit in the chair, and lower the foot loops. Stand in the loops and lower the chair. Bend legs and sit down in the chair. Repeat all the way down.

I didn’t like the original Mast Climber because the ascenders required you to feed the climbing rope THROUGH the ascender (it wasnt open like a modern ascender). So that ruled out using a halyard if it had a fitting on it. They may have improved the ascenders since then, but if you are buying it used…check and see what sort of ascender it uses.

Greg

 

[thinwater]

I looked up the Mastmate ladder and realized I've used them. One difficulty is you need to lower your main sail. Great when working in harbor, but off shore it is not unlikely you may want the added stability of your main sail being up. A second problem for me is I can't use one on my boat unless I want to install a dedicated track for the mast mate... Not high on my list.

I've never used a Camp Goblin... But something to look at more closely.

dj

In fact, you do NOT have to lower the main. You can anchor the ladder just on one side and tension it very tightly. I've done it. In fact, on my PDQ it was a pain to remove the slugs and open the mast gate, so I never used the slugs, not in a dozen trips. I just snugged it well with a winch. This does NOT actually increase the peak strain on the ladder system, since any jerking or falling is subtracted from the pre-tension.

 

[thinwater]

I'm getting Blue Wave fittings with that link....

dj

My apologies. There seems to be some problem with my ability to copy image links. Try this blog post link instead.

Mastmate and goblin in use

 

[dLj]

In fact, you do NOT have to lower the main. You can anchor the ladder just on one side and tension it very tightly. I've done it. In fact, on my PDQ it was a pain to remove the slugs and open the mast gate, so I never used the slugs, not in a dozen trips. I just snugged it well with a winch. This does NOT actually increase the peak strain on the ladder system, since any jerking or falling is subtracted from the pre-tension.

Ah, I did not realize that. Do you remove the slugs on the ladder? Or just not worry about them. How about your thoughts on the 18" vs the 12" spaced steps. I've only used the 18" steps and did not particularly like that spacing. Works, but I wasn't too thrilled with it. looking it up right now I see they have a 12" spacing ladder also.

dj

 

[dLj]

My apologies. There seems to be some problem with my ability to copy image links. Try this blog post link instead.

Mastmate and goblin in use

That worked... No apologies needed... (I'd just be calling the kettle black).

So with no sail track needed, I could ascend the front side of my mast - where I typically prefer on my boat...

dj

 

[thinwater]

Ah, I did not realize that. Do you remove the slugs on the ladder? Or just not worry about them. How about your thoughts on the 18" vs the 12" spaced steps. I've only used the 18" steps and did not particularly like that spacing. Works, but I wasn't too thrilled with it. looking it up right now I see they have a 12" spacing ladder also.

dj

Just don't worry about them. When you can fit them, they help.

Yes, a shorter spacing would be much better. A very common complaint. OSHA says rungs should be 10-14 inches, because that is the proper spacing for efficient climbing.