Topclimber bosun chair rig.

[Kerry13709]

I have a nice bosun chair from West Marine that I have used once. I seem to have a hard time getting help to raise and lower me from this unit, so I have been browsing for an alternative. The topclimber looks like it may fill the bill. Looks like you can use it without external help. Does anyone have any recommendation on the topsider? It seems expensive, but if you look at it as a piece of vital equipment and as a piece of exercise equipment, might be able to justify the cost.

 

[muised]

Selling your old one?

I have not used the topclimber, but I am in the market for a bosun chair - if you decide to upgrade I would be interested in the west marine unit. Good luck and play safe.

 

[tom h]

ascenders

I bought ascenders on Ebay for about $35 per pair. They clip onto the main halyard. One clips onto my safety gear (whatever its called for walking on deck at night) and the oother clips to my chair. You climb just like the topclimber. The difference is inthe price. I had all the stuff and so the cost to me were the ascenders.

 

[Bill]

Topclimber doesn't replace a spotter

Hi Kerry,While finding someone interested in grinding you up the stick is not always easy, make sure that the topclimber always includes a "spotter". Please keep our sailor population up and don't climb the stick alone These things are great tools, but they are not a substitution for safety.B

 

[Tim Foster]

Top Climber

Hi everyone The "top climber" is very popular rig here in Australia I have one myself and found it to be a well constructed unit Asending and desending is a bit slow however Remember to clip on to an additional line as a " safety " apart from the climbing line and choose a calm day to go aloft Cheers Tim

 

[Hoosier Kevin]

Mast Mate

I am looking into a product called Mast Mate - it is web mast ladder - that you attach to the Mainsail D-rings - you only need one person - Be nice to know from any others their success with this tool -

 

[PHitchcox]

Exercise it is

I have a TopClimber and find it exceptional. Installed a wind instrument last year with the mast up and was able to stand above the masthead to drill the necessary holes.And (don't tell anyone) I can go aloft when no one's around to help, but that really isn't a good idea in case something does happen.As for your comparison to exercise equipment, you'll get a workout with the TopClimber; I probaby went up and down four times installing the wind instrument and it was a lot of work, excuse me, exercise. There is a pattern (don't try to move too far too fast) you'll discover and it'll work well. Conversely, don't be surprised if the first few times you wonder what the heck made you think this was a good idea; just give it a little time and you'll find the pattern.

 

[Rob]

I use a climbers Harness and ascenders

I picked up a great Comfortable harness, and I use 2 ascenders... Its a little awkward but one you get it you can inch worm up like a pro. Great thing about a harness,,, its amost impossible to fall out of it,,,you can even hang upsidedown. I take an extra halyard and clip that also to my harness as a saftey, I climb up and my wife takes up the slack on the saftey, when Im up I use a saftey strap to tie off on the top of the mast..and my wife ties off the halyard .... then work away... I also use a colapsable bucket on a long line to pass things back and forth from deck.The ascenders work where you have 1 for your feet, the other is clipped to the harness.... On our foot section , we have nylon webbing that form a V, the top of the V is fitted with a scender and the to bottoms have loops for your feet....you stand on the loop, then slid the ascender on your waist up....then sit placing your weight onto the harness,,,, then slide the foot acender up...then stand,,,repeat repeat repeat...Another plus on harness vs, chair,,, if you need to swing out or work on the forstay, its alot more flexible.... we wont always be in a calm harbor when a haylard is lost.http://store.karstsports.com/harnesses.html

 

[Benny]

Seen a rigger the other day...

Get up to the top of the mast, by himself in a fast and effortless manner. He had made a line and block system with a 4:1 purchase. The line was about 200 ft of 1/2 inch multi braided and he used some heavy duty blocks. He had a brake handle like used by mountain climbers to secure himself up so he could work. He would tie one block to the main halyard line and raise it all the way up. He would secure the halyard by securly tying to a winch. The other block went to the bossum chair. He would pull with his hands and fend off with his feet. I would price that the cost of making such a unit would be around $300. But like all pro's recommend; "don't try this at home"

 

[Daryl]

Climber

I'm over 220 lbs and over 50 years old but have no problems using the Top Climber. I actually had a 45' mast ladder that I didn't use since the climber was better and safer. The only down side it that it is VERY Overpriced

 

[Brian D]

I got my TopClimber...

From Defender during one of their "boat show specials". It was cheaper then than most other vendors including ATN.Going up was not my problem. Comming down was a different story. One has a tendacy to extend their legs a little too far. When that happens, one cannot not get the harness assender to unlatch. So the key is, as mentioned, short strides.So far I have used the TC in my garage (LOL) waiting for the nerve to assend my mast. Oh... it is not recommended to feed a halyard thru the assenders. They will chew up the halyard. Purchase a 5/16 or 7/16 rope and tie it to the halyard. Raise the halyard to the top of the mast and use the rope to do the climbing.

 

[colin hunter 335]

Another vote for ascenders.

Give the ascenders a try they are compact and very efficient. My son almost runs up my mast using them but he is a tad younger than I am. One of the added benefits is that they take you right up to the top so you are not reaching above chest height to work on the mast head.

 

[NYSail]

Mast Mate

I have one. It is great, however I had my wife pull the chair up under me as I climbed up. When I got to my destination or needed a rest, she would tie me off and I would sit and do my work. The ladder is sometimes a pain in the neck to get your foot in. Greg

 

[William]

Made my own

I made my own Top Climber and it cost me under $60. All you need is a sewing machine, drill and a small grinder. They do work great but I would not use it without someone on a safety line.