Use a topclimber??

planoron

planoron

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May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
Ok,,,so I am a large guy. 6-1, 240 lbs without any special equipment to head up the mast. Before I hang my new sail I would like to go up top and oil/grease the furlur and maybe put up a wifi antennae.

I was looking at the topclimber and decided before I pulled the trigger I would get a few opinions from the experience pool and find out if this is my best bang for the buck?

Thanks in advance guys and girls
 
DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
I have a Top Climber and a good Bosun's Chair. I like the system a lot after getting it mastered.
I'm 6'7" and weigh 225 and climb on a taut halyard using a second halyard as a safety line on my harness.
I found that straddling the mast on the way up made life easier because it reduced the tendency to become a pendulum.
 
uncledom

uncledom

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Jun 11, 2011
1,243
Hunter 41 Lewes
I have the climber, almost 60, active every day, and find it very tiring to get up and down. When I say up and down, it's tiring going up and it's tiring going down 63 feet of mast. I have an electric 44 on the cabin top and find that much easier as it requires no physical exertion in either direction. The climber was the only reasonable solution on the last boat as she could spot me using the winches and a second halyard while I lifted myself, but with the electric winch on board I use a regular bosun's chair. For all the money we spend on "boat stuff" it's worth having around. Hope this helps.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Top Climber

It is a lot of work going up the mast as said and just some advice before $$$$$
on top climber look at a Milwauker right angle drill and also need a special bit
and they are made in portable and a plug in also.
Some one told me he has his wife drill him up the mast with a portable rechargeable one.
I am thinking a plug in because I have a Gen on board,the down side is you need a second person but really should have a second person around any way
and they don't need to be strong.
Just some heads up and if you have 2 friends than that is better to hoist you up taking turns and a second person on the backup haylard,sory about my spelling is so bad..
Nick
 
kjretlaw

kjretlaw

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Aug 3, 2010
150
Hunter 326 Charleston SC
I use the mast climber, 6'4" 240 at 59. Need the halyard tight, really tight to make it easier. I also use a spare halyard as a safety I have the wife just lower me down so that's an easy trip.
 
dhays

dhays

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Aug 2, 2010
93
Catalina C400 Gig Harbor, WA
I got the Top Climber when I still had good knees and was running a lot. Now my knees are shot and at 57 years old, 6' 1", 215, it is a lot of work climbing up. I go up a taught halyard (as tight as you can get it), with a second Halyard as a safety when I have a helper. However, I have climbed up when by myself. I wouldn't recommend that.

A dock mate does mast cleaning on the side. He is much older than I, and much lighter weight. He has a dedicated tackle that he uses. He sends one end of the tackle up the mast on a Halyard and then just pulls himself up in his Bosun chair. I think it about a 5/1 ratio he uses but I am not sure. Takes a lot of line, but he does it a lot. It is also cheaper than a TopClimber and he does it himself.
 
sailingseadragon

sailingseadragon

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Aug 21, 2006
203
Pearson 367 Alexandria, VA
I am 60 - 6' 1", 190... As others have said, the tighter the halyard the better/easier. I also agree that it is almost as much work coming down as it is going up. From the deck to spreaders, not so bad, but from the spreaders to the top, not so easy for me (47 ft to the top).

Ask around your dock if anyone has climber you can try before you spend the money...

Just a thought.
 
gpd955

gpd955

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Feb 22, 2006
1,164
Catalina 310 Cape May, NJ
Bought one years ago. Agree with all that it takes a little getting used to and it is a bit of work. It's nice to have aboard because it can be used solo if needed, although it's always better to have someone around to make sure your secondary line (we use the spinnaker halyard) is managed...and to catch you if you fall :eek:!

I need to get in better shape before I use it again!

Since my season draws to a close, I'd be happy to ship mine out to you to give it a try, just promise to send it back!!
 

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capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I suppose that they would be fine in the slip, but if you ever had to go aloft at sea or a bit of an uncomfortable anchorage, you should have an excellent (not just sufficient) bosun's chair.
Even with my double bridle safety system (two lines with clips that go to the shrouds and/or stays) and custom built chair, I've come down black and blue even though I had both feet and hands to fend off with, when going aloft at sea.
 
NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,178
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
I use mast mate ladder with a bosons chair back up. I climb the ladder and wife cranks the chair under me so it's effortless for her. When I get to where I'm working or need a break I sit. Then wife lowers me down. Works good for us....
 
planoron

planoron

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May 17, 2014
136
hunter 380 Plano, TX
NYSail said:
I use mast mate ladder with a bosons chair back up. I climb the ladder and wife cranks the chair under me so it's effortless for her. When I get to where I'm working or need a break I sit. Then wife lowers me down. Works good for us....
Click to expand
I'm assuming that would not work on furling main
 
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