RE: Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber tips

Archives
1

Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)


Having been up my mast a few times (including yesterday) with an
ATN top climber I thought I’d post some thoughts and tips.

With the ATN you can get above the masthead with your upper body
using the footstraps and this is quite helpful. Although you are secure in
order to work properly you need to use an arm to pull yourself forward against
the mast. This is tiring and means one handed work. A strap to put around
you and the mast while you work could be helpful.
2.
It says its helpful to secure the line at an angle to the mast.
My first time up I thought more would be better. This made it more
difficult on the arms always pulling my body towards the line. Subsequent
times I reduced the angle. The ideal seemed to be a foot or 2. I
have settled on tying it to a cleat on the boom (outhaul or lazy jack) and then
as down to a deck cleat (although this end of the line is not critical its just
to keep from swaying so you do need to at least make it tight).
3.
I now start by standing on the sail/boom in between the
lazyjacks and I am careful not to get tangled. Saves a few feet of climbing and
is a soft place to start or land and has plenty to hang on to.
4.
I use my spare halyard tied to a deck cleat near the mast and
use a separate cleat designed specifically as a safety. It has a short webbing
and shackle. I slide this up as I go. Just eliminates the chance that the main
halyard failure failing would cause a fall.
5.
I have short legs so it goes faster if I lean back to release
the leg cleat tension rather then just taking short steps. This is especially
helpful and easy going down.

The whole thing takes a little time to rig since all the cam cleats
are closed and you need to slide the ends of the lines through to start off and
if you forget one attachement or get them reversed you need to start over.

Overall I’m very happy with it as a way to get up alone. It
is some work but you can go as slow as you like and its very secure especially
with my setup with the separate halyard and cleat redundancy.

Alan F-33 SEAPR Hull #51.



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of rossbakery
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:03 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing

\





Hi Marno,

Thanks for your experience. It’s scary stuff.

I’m in Tassie so won’t
be making the meet in Holland.

But I will be over in UK for a couple of weeks in October.
I don’t know where you are but just maybe we could fix
to meet up. I’ll be based in Sussex and I’d travel for a day or so
just to have a look at a 39.

If you think this is a possibility send me through your
contact details. My direct e-mail is chris@…

Cheers

Chris L-B

15 Church Street,
Ross,
Tasmania, 7209
Australia

tel 0061 (0)3 63 815246
fax 0061 (0)3 63815360
www.rossbakery.com.au

-----Original
Message-----
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of marno_ss
Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2008 2:01 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing




I’m coming over tomorrow for the meet in Holland, if you would like I
can bring the top climber so you can try it if you like. Let me know.
Regards
Marno

www.yachtattitudes.com

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com,
“michel.capel”
<michel.capel@…> wrote:

Hi Chris,

I went up my 50’ mast singlehanded last month. I bought climbing gear
(two ascenders) and some carbiners and stuff. Took some effort, But I
got there. I used a slightly different line setup than the ATN
topclimber. I did not use a static line, but used the purchase of the
halyard. Then it takes half the power to lift my 100 kgs. The
topclimber is quite expensive if you already have a bosun’s chair. I
also use a chest harness (lifejacket) to sit more comfortable. On the
way down, my halyard got snagged under a deck cleat. My neighbour was
around, and he had to help me. This is something to watch out for and
speaks in favour of the static line method. Halfway up the mast I
suddenly got scared… I was only hanging from one shackle… I
swallowed and got up to the top without further thoughts because I
knew all masthead fittings had been renewed two years ago. But next
time, I’ll go up with somebody on deck below to handle a safety line.







\

2

Posted by Lola Jackson (lolaltd@…>)
I will be paying someone to do this for me…Lola— On Mon, 9/22/08, Alan Kusinitz <akusinitz@…> wrote:From: Alan Kusinitz <akusinitz@…>Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber tipsTo: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.comDate: Monday, September 22, 2008, 10:21 AM



Having been up my mast a few times (including yesterday) with an
ATN top climber I thought I¢d post some thoughts and tips. 1.
With the ATN you can get above the masthead with your upper body
using the footstraps and this is quite helpful. Although you are secure in
order to work properly you need to use an arm to pull yourself forward against
the mast. This is tiring and means one handed work. A strap to put around
you and the mast while you work could be helpful. 2.
It says its helpful to secure the line at an angle to the mast.
My first time up I thought more would be better. This made it more
difficult on the arms always pulling my body towards the line. Subsequent
times I reduced the angle. The ideal seemed to be a foot or 2. I
have settled on tying it to a cleat on the boom (outhaul or lazy jack) and then
as down to a deck cleat (although this end of the line is not critical its just
to keep from swaying so you do need to at least make it tight). 3.
I now start by standing on the sail/boom in between the
lazyjacks and I am careful not to get tangled. Saves a few feet of climbing and
is a soft place to start or land and has plenty to hang on to. 4.
I use my spare halyard tied to a deck cleat near the mast and
use a separate cleat designed specifically as a safety. It has a short webbing
and shackle. I slide this up as I go. Just eliminates the chance that the main
halyard failure failing would cause a fall. 5.
I have short legs so it goes faster if I lean back to release
the leg cleat tension rather then just taking short steps. This is especially
helpful and easy going down. The whole thing takes a little time to rig since all the cam cleats
are closed and you need to slide the ends of the lines through to start off and
if you forget one attachement or get them reversed you need to start over. Overall I¢m very happy with it as a way to get up alone. It
is some work but you can go as slow as you like and its very secure especially
with my setup with the separate halyard and cleat redundancy. Alan F-33 SEAPR Hull #51.

From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On
Behalf Of rossbakery
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:03 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing




Hi Marno, Thanks for your experience. It¢s scary stuff. I¢m in Tassie so won¢t
be making the meet in Holland. But I will be over in UK for a couple of weeks in October. I don¢t know where you are but just maybe we could fix
to meet up. I¢ll be based in Sussex and I¢d travel for a day or so
just to have a look at a 39. If you think this is a possibility send me through your
contact details. My direct e-mail is chris@rossbakery. com.au Cheers Chris L-B
15 Church Street, Ross, Tasmania, 7209 Australia tel 0061 (0)3 63 815246 fax 0061 (0)3 63815360 www.rossbakery. com.au
-----Original
Message-----
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com]
On Behalf Of marno_ss
Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2008 2:01 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing


I’m coming over tomorrow for the meet in Holland, if you would like I
can bring the top climber so you can try it if you like. Let me know.
Regards
Marno

www.yachtattitudes. com

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com,
“michel.capel”
<michel.capel@ …> wrote:

Hi Chris,

I went up my 50’ mast singlehanded last month. I bought climbing gear
(two ascenders) and some carbiners and stuff. Took some effort, But I
got there. I used a slightly different line setup than the ATN
topclimber. I did not use a static line, but used the purchase of the
halyard. Then it takes half the power to lift my 100 kgs. The
topclimber is quite expensive if you already have a bosun’s chair. I
also use a chest harness (lifejacket) to sit more comfortable. On the
way down, my halyard got snagged under a deck cleat. My neighbour was
around, and he had to help me. This is something to watch out for and
speaks in favour of the static line method. Halfway up the mast I
suddenly got scared… I was only hanging from one shackle… I
swallowed and got up to the top without further thoughts because I
knew all masthead fittings had been renewed two years ago. But next
time, I’ll go up with somebody on deck below to handle a safety line.







\

3

Posted by Al Lorman (ajl@…>)


I
second Alan’s advice to ignore the ATN directions to rig the line up at
an angle. The whole point of the ATN is to use your legs to ascend.
I found that with the line out at an angle to the mast, I was using my arms to
pull myself up, defeating the purpose of the ATN.

As
much as I liked the unit, I’m not sure I would buy one again. It is
relatively easy to make up one using parts available at a climbing store for a
lot less money. In addition, the ATN uses what I consider to be badly designed
ascenders; you can buy much better ones for small change.

Al



From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alan Kusinitz
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:21 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber
tips

\





Having been up my mast a few times
(including yesterday) with an ATN top climber I thought I’d post some
thoughts and tips.

  1.   With the ATN you can get above the

masthead with your upper body using the footstraps and this is quite helpful.
Although you are secure in order to work properly you need to use an arm to
pull yourself forward against the mast. This is tiring and means one handed
work. A strap to put around you and the mast while you work could be
helpful.
2. It says its helpful to secure the line
at an angle to the mast. My first time up I thought more would be better.
This made it more difficult on the arms always pulling my body towards the
line. Subsequent times I reduced the angle. The ideal seemed to be
a foot or 2. I have settled on tying it to a cleat on the boom (outhaul
or lazy jack) and then as down to a deck cleat (although this end of the line
is not critical its just to keep from swaying so you do need to at least make
it tight).
3. I now start by standing on the sail/boom
in between the lazyjacks and I am careful not to get tangled. Saves a few feet
of climbing and is a soft place to start or land and has plenty to hang on to.
4. I use my spare halyard tied to a deck
cleat near the mast and use a separate cleat designed specifically as a safety.
It has a short webbing and shackle. I slide this up as I go. Just eliminates
the chance that the main halyard failure failing would cause a fall.
5. I have short legs so it goes faster if I
lean back to release the leg cleat tension rather then just taking short steps.
This is especially helpful and easy going down.

The whole thing takes a little time to
rig since all the cam cleats are closed and you need to slide the ends of the
lines through to start off and if you forget one attachement or get them
reversed you need to start over.

Overall I’m very happy with it as
a way to get up alone. It is some work but you can go as slow as you like
and its very secure especially with my setup with the separate halyard and
cleat redundancy.

Alan F-33 SEAPR Hull #51.



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of rossbakery
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:03 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing

\





Hi Marno,

Thanks for your experience. It’s scary stuff.

I’m in Tassie so won’t
be making the meet in Holland.

But I will be over in UK for a couple of weeks in October.
I don’t know where you are but just maybe we could fix
to meet up. I’ll be based in Sussex and I’d travel for a day or so
just to have a look at a 39.

If you think this is a possibility send me through your
contact details. My direct e-mail is chris@…

Cheers

Chris L-B

15 Church Street,
Ross,
Tasmania, 7209
Australia

tel 0061 (0)3 63 815246
fax 0061 (0)3 63815360
www.rossbakery.com.au

-----Original Message-----
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of marno_ss
Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2008 2:01 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing




I’m coming over tomorrow for the meet in Holland, if you would like I
can bring the top climber so you can try it if you like. Let me know.
Regards
Marno

www.yachtattitudes.com

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com,
“michel.capel”
<michel.capel@…> wrote:

Hi Chris,

I went up my 50’ mast singlehanded last month. I bought climbing gear
(two ascenders) and some carbiners and stuff. Took some effort, But I
got there. I used a slightly different line setup than the ATN
topclimber. I did not use a static line, but used the purchase of the
halyard. Then it takes half the power to lift my 100 kgs. The
topclimber is quite expensive if you already have a bosun’s chair. I
also use a chest harness (lifejacket) to sit more comfortable. On the
way down, my halyard got snagged under a deck cleat. My neighbour was
around, and he had to help me. This is something to watch out for and
speaks in favour of the static line method. Halfway up the mast I
suddenly got scared… I was only hanging from one shackle… I
swallowed and got up to the top without further thoughts because I
knew all masthead fittings had been renewed two years ago. But next
time, I’ll go up with somebody on deck below to handle a safety line.











\

4

Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)


I agree with Al that anyone with some experience (or that wants
to copy the ATN) can use mountain climbing gear. If you have no
experience at least this is a well proven system and is more of a seat then a
mountain climbing harness.

By the way the safety cleat I use on the spare halyard (halyard
as a static line) is available at http://www.sailorssolutions.com/index.asp?page=Products&SubCategoryID=31.
They seem to have changed the design and price from when I bought it but its
similar. Again standard climbing hardware might be cheaper. By
using something like this is puts my mind at ease as there is no single point
of failure (except the mast ) as its totally independent of the ATN and main
halyard. It also allows me to simply use the halyard shackle on the main
halyard for convenience (rather then tying knots) since if it fails I won’t
fall anyway. Just don’t do what I did the first time up. I
got myself into a position where the cleats on the ATN and this separate cleat
all had tension in a way that I could not release (always remember to slide the
spare to keep it slack) . Thought I’d be spending the night but
eventually worked out a geometry that allowed me to release it.

Alan



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Al Lorman
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:34 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber
tips

\





I second Alan’s advice to ignore the ATN directions
to rig the line up at an angle. The whole point of the ATN is to use your
legs to ascend. I found that with the line out at an angle to the mast, I
was using my arms to pull myself up, defeating the purpose of the ATN.

As much as I liked the unit, I’m not sure I would
buy one again. It is relatively easy to make up one using parts available
at a climbing store for a lot less money. In addition, the ATN uses what I
consider to be badly designed ascenders; you can buy much better ones for small
change.

Al



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Alan Kusinitz
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:21 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber
tips

\





Having been up my mast a few times
(including yesterday) with an ATN top climber I thought I’d post some
thoughts and tips.

  1.   With the ATN you can get above the masthead

with your upper body using the footstraps and this is quite helpful. Although
you are secure in order to work properly you need to use an arm to pull
yourself forward against the mast. This is tiring and means one handed
work. A strap to put around you and the mast while you work could be
helpful.
2. It says its helpful to secure the line
at an angle to the mast. My first time up I thought more would be better.
This made it more difficult on the arms always pulling my body towards the
line. Subsequent times I reduced the angle. The ideal seemed to be
a foot or 2. I have settled on tying it to a cleat on the boom (outhaul
or lazy jack) and then as down to a deck cleat (although this end of the line
is not critical its just to keep from swaying so you do need to at least make
it tight).
3. I now start by standing on the sail/boom
in between the lazyjacks and I am careful not to get tangled. Saves a few feet
of climbing and is a soft place to start or land and has plenty to hang on to.
4. I use my spare halyard tied to a deck
cleat near the mast and use a separate cleat designed specifically as a safety.
It has a short webbing and shackle. I slide this up as I go. Just eliminates
the chance that the main halyard failure failing would cause a fall.
5. I have short legs so it goes faster if I
lean back to release the leg cleat tension rather then just taking short steps.
This is especially helpful and easy going down.

The whole thing takes a little time to
rig since all the cam cleats are closed and you need to slide the ends of the
lines through to start off and if you forget one attachement or get them
reversed you need to start over.

Overall I’m very happy with it as
a way to get up alone. It is some work but you can go as slow as you like
and its very secure especially with my setup with the separate halyard and
cleat redundancy.

Alan F-33 SEAPR Hull #51.



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of rossbakery
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:03 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing

\





Hi Marno,

Thanks for your experience. It’s scary stuff.

I’m in Tassie so won’t
be making the meet in Holland.

But I will be over in UK for a couple of weeks in October.
I don’t know where you are but just maybe we could fix
to meet up. I’ll be based in Sussex and I’d travel for a day or so
just to have a look at a 39.

If you think this is a possibility send me through your
contact details. My direct e-mail is chris@…

Cheers

Chris L-B

15 Church Street,
Ross,
Tasmania, 7209
Australia

tel 0061 (0)3 63 815246
fax 0061 (0)3 63815360
www.rossbakery.com.au

-----Original Message-----
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of marno_ss
Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2008 2:01 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing




I’m coming over tomorrow for the meet in Holland, if you would like I
can bring the top climber so you can try it if you like. Let me know.
Regards
Marno

www.yachtattitudes.com

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com,
“michel.capel”
<michel.capel@…> wrote:

Hi Chris,

I went up my 50’ mast singlehanded last month. I bought climbing gear
(two ascenders) and some carbiners and stuff. Took some effort, But I
got there. I used a slightly different line setup than the ATN
topclimber. I did not use a static line, but used the purchase of the
halyard. Then it takes half the power to lift my 100 kgs. The
topclimber is quite expensive if you already have a bosun’s chair. I
also use a chest harness (lifejacket) to sit more comfortable. On the
way down, my halyard got snagged under a deck cleat. My neighbour was
around, and he had to help me. This is something to watch out for and
speaks in favour of the static line method. Halfway up the mast I
suddenly got scared… I was only hanging from one shackle… I
swallowed and got up to the top without further thoughts because I
knew all masthead fittings had been renewed two years ago. But next
time, I’ll go up with somebody on deck below to handle a safety line.















\

5

Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)


Good idea. I should too. The main reason I do it myself is that
I have had situations offshore when on a crossing or in a remote area where I
needed to be able to fix something to be able to sail and in one instance to be
able to get the sail down (which was essential with a storm coming). This was
in another boat with other issues.

Alan



From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Lola Jackson
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:26 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber
tips

\







I will be paying someone to do this for me…Lola

— On Mon, 9/22/08, Alan Kusinitz <akusinitz@…>
wrote:
From: Alan Kusinitz <akusinitz@…>
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber tips
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 10:21 AM



Having been up my mast a few times
(including yesterday) with an ATN top climber I thought I¢d post some
thoughts and tips.

With the ATN you can get above the masthead with your upper body using the
footstraps and this is quite helpful. Although you are secure in order to
work properly you need to use an arm to pull yourself forward against the
mast. This is tiring and means one handed work. A strap to put around
you and the mast while you work could be helpful.
2.
It says its helpful to secure the line at an angle to the mast. My first time
up I thought more would be better. This made it more difficult on the
arms always pulling my body towards the line. Subsequent times I
reduced the angle. The ideal seemed to be a foot or 2. I have
settled on tying it to a cleat on the boom (outhaul or lazy jack) and then as
down to a deck cleat (although this end of the line is not critical its just
to keep from swaying so you do need to at least make it tight).
3.
I now start by standing on the sail/boom in between the lazyjacks and I am
careful not to get tangled. Saves a few feet of climbing and is a soft place
to start or land and has plenty to hang on to.
4.
I use my spare halyard tied to a deck cleat near the mast and use a separate
cleat designed specifically as a safety. It has a short webbing and shackle.
I slide this up as I go. Just eliminates the chance that the main halyard
failure failing would cause a fall.
5.
I have short legs so it goes faster if I lean back to release the leg cleat
tension rather then just taking short steps. This is especially helpful and
easy going down.

The whole thing takes a little time to
rig since all the cam cleats are closed and you need to slide the ends of the
lines through to start off and if you forget one attachement or get them
reversed you need to start over.

Overall I¢m very happy with it as a
way to get up alone. It is some work but you can go as slow as you like
and its very secure especially with my setup with the separate halyard and
cleat redundancy.

Alan F-33 SEAPR Hull #51.



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro
ups.com] On Behalf Of rossbakery
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:03 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing

\





Hi Marno,

Thanks for your experience. It¢s scary stuff.

I¢m in Tassie so won¢t be making
the meet in Holland.

But I will be over in UK for a couple of weeks in October.
I don¢t know where you are but just maybe we could fix to
meet up. I¢ll be based in Sussex and I¢d travel for a day or so just to have
a look at a 39.

If you think this is a possibility send me through your
contact details. My direct e-mail is chris@rossbakery. com.au

Cheers

Chris L-B

15 Church Street,
Ross,
Tasmania, 7209
Australia

tel 0061 (0)3 63 815246
fax 0061 (0)3 63815360
www.rossbakery. com.au

-----Original Message-----
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne
rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of marno_ss
Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2008 2:01 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing




I’m coming over tomorrow for the meet in Holland, if you would like I
can bring the top climber so you can try it if you like. Let me know.
Regards
Marno

www.yachtattitudes. com

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@
yahoogroups. com, “michel.capel”
<michel.capel@ …> wrote:

Hi Chris,

I went up my 50’ mast singlehanded last month. I bought climbing gear
(two ascenders) and some carbiners and stuff. Took some effort, But I
got there. I used a slightly different line setup than the ATN
topclimber. I did not use a static line, but used the purchase of the
halyard. Then it takes half the power to lift my 100 kgs. The
topclimber is quite expensive if you already have a bosun’s chair. I
also use a chest harness (lifejacket) to sit more comfortable. On the
way down, my halyard got snagged under a deck cleat. My neighbour was
around, and he had to help me. This is something to watch out for and
speaks in favour of the static line method. Halfway up the mast I
suddenly got scared… I was only hanging from one shackle… I
swallowed and got up to the top without further thoughts because I
knew all masthead fittings had been renewed two years ago. But next
time, I’ll go up with somebody on deck below to handle a safety line.













\



\

6

Posted by Bob (rweeks6508@…>)
On your first point I think a Prusik, 6-coil knot with clip on your chair belt would you in and provide an addition failsafe in case something else broke. I only suggest this because I am in the process of building enough energy and nerves to go up before hauling to replace anchor light and VHF antenna. So I have been read all the forum stuff and mountain climbing tips. The Prusik was one suggestion from the web. For practice I drink a lot at night and hope it gets magically done!! {:>)Bob On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM, Alan Kusinitz wrote:Having been up my mast a few times (including yesterday) with an ATN top climber I thought I’d post some thoughts and tips. 1. With the ATN you can get above the masthead with your upper body using the footstraps and this is quite helpful. Although you are secure in order to work properly you need to use an arm to pull yourself forward against the mast. This is tiring and means one handed work. A strap to put around you and the mast while you work could be helpful. 2. It says its helpful to secure the line at an angle to the mast. My first time up I thought more would be better. This made it more difficult on the arms always pulling my body towards the line. Subsequent times I reduced the angle. The ideal seemed to be a foot or 2. I have settled on tying it to a cleat on the boom (outhaul or lazy jack) and then as down to a deck cleat (although this end of the line is not critical its just to keep from swaying so you do need to at least make it tight). 3. I now start by standing on the sail/boom in between the lazyjacks and I am careful not to get tangled. Saves a few feet of climbing and is a soft place to start or land and has plenty to hang on to. 4. I use my spare halyard tied to a deck cleat near the mast and use a separate cleat designed specifically as a safety. It has a short webbing and shackle. I slide this up as I go. Just eliminates the chance that the main halyard failure failing would cause a fall. 5. I have short legs so it goes faster if I lean back to release the leg cleat tension rather then just taking short steps. This is especially helpful and easy going down. The whole thing takes a little time to rig since all the cam cleats are closed and you need to slide the ends of the lines through to start off and if you forget one attachement or get them reversed you need to start over. Overall I’m very happy with it as a way to get up alone. It is some work but you can go as slow as you like and its very secure especially with my setup with the separate halyard and cleat redundancy. Alan F-33 SEAPR Hull #51. From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of rossbakery Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:03 AM To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing Hi Marno , Thanks for your experience. It’s scary stuff. I’m in Tassie so won’t be making the meet in Holland. But I will be over in UK for a couple of weeks in October. I don’t know where you are but just maybe we could fix to meet up. I’ll be based in Sussex and I’d travel for a day or so just to have a look at a 39. If you think this is a possibility send me through your contact details. My direct e-mail is chris@rossbakery. com.au Cheers Chris L-B 15 Church Street, Ross, Tasmania, 7209 Australia tel 0061 (0)3 63 815246 fax 0061 (0)3 63815360 www.rossbakery. com.au -----Original Message----- From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of marno_ss Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2008 2:01 AM To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing I’m coming over tomorrow for the meet in Holland, if you would like I can bring the top climber so you can try it if you like. Let me know. Regards Marno www.yachtattitudes. com — In FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com, “michel.capel” <michel.capel@ …> wrote: > > Hi Chris, > > I went up my 50’ mast singlehanded last month. I bought climbing gear > (two ascenders) and some carbiners and stuff. Took some effort, But I > got there. I used a slightly different line setup than the ATN > topclimber. I did not use a static line, but used the purchase of the > halyard. Then it takes half the power to lift my 100 kgs. The > topclimber is quite expensive if you already have a bosun’s chair. I > also use a chest harness (lifejacket) to sit more comfortable. On the > way down, my halyard got snagged under a deck cleat. My neighbour was > around, and he had to help me. This is something to watch out for and > speaks in favour of the static line method. Halfway up the mast I > suddenly got scared… I was only hanging from one shackle… I > swallowed and got up to the top without further thoughts because I > knew all masthead fittings had been renewed two years ago. But next > time, I’ll go up with somebody on deck below to handle a safety line. > >

7

Posted by Bob (rweeks6508@…>)
One of my slip neighbors built his own. Using better acsenders but the interesting thing was the foot stirrups. It was a hard wood board with a half moon cut out in the middle where the mast would rest and sling and ascender attached to the board. This provided stablity and force against the mast and feet to help the climb up. If I knew him better I would ask to borrow his rig or rent it from him but it is a real sailor is is hardly in port.Bob On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 10:54 AM, Alan Kusinitz wrote:I agree with Al that anyone with some experience (or that wants to copy the ATN) can use mountain climbing gear. If you have no experience at least this is a well proven system and is more of a seat then a mountain climbing harness. By the way the safety cleat I use on the spare halyard (halyard as a static line) is available at http://www.sailorss olutions. com/index. asp?page= Products&SubCategoryID= 31. They seem to have changed the design and price from when I bought it but its similar. Again standard climbing hardware might be cheaper. By using something like this is puts my mind at ease as there is no single point of failure (except the mast ) as its totally independent of the ATN and main halyard. It also allows me to simply use the halyard shackle on the main halyard for convenience (rather then tying knots) since if it fails I won’t fall anyway. Just don’t do what I did the first time up. I got myself into a position where the cleats on the ATN and this separate cleat all had tension in a way that I could not release (always remember to slide the spare to keep it slack) . Thought I’d be spending the night but eventually worked out a geometry that allowed me to release it. Alan From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of Al Lorman Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:34 AM To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber tips I second Alan’s advice to ignore the ATN directions to rig the line up at an angle. The whole point of the ATN is to use your legs to ascend. I found that with the line out at an angle to the mast, I was using my arms to pull myself up, defeating the purpose of the ATN. As much as I liked the unit, I’m not sure I would buy one again. It is relatively easy to make up one using parts available at a climbing store for a lot less money. In addition, the ATN uses what I consider to be badly designed ascenders; you can buy much better ones for small change. Al From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of Alan Kusinitz Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:21 AM To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing and ATN top climber tips Having been up my mast a few times (including yesterday) with an ATN top climber I thought I’d post some thoughts and tips. 1. With the ATN you can get above the masthead with your upper body using the footstraps and this is quite helpful. Although you are secure in order to work properly you need to use an arm to pull yourself forward against the mast. This is tiring and means one handed work. A strap to put around you and the mast while you work could be helpful. 2. It says its helpful to secure the line at an angle to the mast. My first time up I thought more would be better. This made it more difficult on the arms always pulling my body towards the line. Subsequent times I reduced the angle. The ideal seemed to be a foot or 2. I have settled on tying it to a cleat on the boom (outhaul or lazy jack) and then as down to a deck cleat (although this end of the line is not critical its just to keep from swaying so you do need to at least make it tight). 3. I now start by standing on the sail/boom in between the lazyjacks and I am careful not to get tangled. Saves a few feet of climbing and is a soft place to start or land and has plenty to hang on to. 4. I use my spare halyard tied to a deck cleat near the mast and use a separate cleat designed specifically as a safety. It has a short webbing and shackle. I slide this up as I go. Just eliminates the chance that the main halyard failure failing would cause a fall. 5. I have short legs so it goes faster if I lean back to release the leg cleat tension rather then just taking short steps. This is especially helpful and easy going down. The whole thing takes a little time to rig since all the cam cleats are closed and you need to slide the ends of the lines through to start off and if you forget one attachement or get them reversed you need to start over. Overall I’m very happy with it as a way to get up alone. It is some work but you can go as slow as you like and its very secure especially with my setup with the separate halyard and cleat redundancy. Alan F-33 SEAPR Hull #51. From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of rossbakery Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:03 AM To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing Hi Marno , Thanks for your experience. It’s scary stuff. I’m in Tassie so won’t be making the meet in Holland. But I will be over in UK for a couple of weeks in October. I don’t know where you are but just maybe we could fix to meet up. I’ll be based in Sussex and I’d travel for a day or so just to have a look at a 39. If you think this is a possibility send me through your contact details. My direct e-mail is chris@rossbakery. com.au Cheers Chris L-B 15 Church Street, Ross, Tasmania, 7209 Australia tel 0061 (0)3 63 815246 fax 0061 (0)3 63815360 www.rossbakery. com.au -----Original Message----- From: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:FreedomOwne rsGroup@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of marno_ss Sent: Saturday, 20 September 2008 2:01 AM To: FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup ] Re: Mast Climbing I’m coming over tomorrow for the meet in Holland, if you would like I can bring the top climber so you can try it if you like. Let me know. Regards Marno www.yachtattitudes. com — In FreedomOwnersGroup@ yahoogroups. com, “michel.capel” <michel.capel@ …> wrote: > > Hi Chris, > > I went up my 50’ mast singlehanded last month. I bought climbing gear > (two ascenders) and some carbiners and stuff. Took some effort, But I > got there. I used a slightly different line setup than the ATN > topclimber. I did not use a static line, but used the purchase of the > halyard. Then it takes half the power to lift my 100 kgs. The > topclimber is quite expensive if you already have a bosun’s chair. I > also use a chest harness (lifejacket) to sit more comfortable. On the > way down, my halyard got snagged under a deck cleat. My neighbour was > around, and he had to help me. This is something to watch out for and > speaks in favour of the static line method. Halfway up the mast I > suddenly got scared… I was only hanging from one shackle… I > swallowed and got up to the top without further thoughts because I > knew all masthead fittings had been renewed two years ago. But next > time, I’ll go up with somebody on deck below to handle a safety line. > >