jax
Well-Known Member
A while ago one of the sailing mags did a report on S/harness for mast climbing. Has anyone got the results to hand; if so which product came out tops please.
Climbing harness
- Thread starter jax
- Start date
Gin
Well-Known Member
Don't recall the article, although a couple of years ago as part of a review of how to climb a mast safely there was part of that review that mentioned, I think, a Black Bod harness with some sort of fall arrester.
However, if it is any help I bought a full harness from Screwfix item 30599-39 for £49.99 plus a fall arrester from a climbing shop, which I connect with using my lanyard from my sailing harness.
I have climbed the mast several times using a mast ladder and with my daughter top roping me with the D harness rings as well as a fall arrester line.
It is very reassuring and when I was struggling with the ladder just as easy to be winched up with no possibility of falling backwards as my CG was below the D harness attachment point
However, if it is any help I bought a full harness from Screwfix item 30599-39 for £49.99 plus a fall arrester from a climbing shop, which I connect with using my lanyard from my sailing harness.
I have climbed the mast several times using a mast ladder and with my daughter top roping me with the D harness rings as well as a fall arrester line.
It is very reassuring and when I was struggling with the ladder just as easy to be winched up with no possibility of falling backwards as my CG was below the D harness attachment point
Jemmie
Well-Known Member
For total security if not fully confident at heights then for singlehanded work aloft I recommend
Petzl Stop e.g.
http://www.rockrun.com/shop/prod.html?d=...4b946766c507726
Combined with ascendeur
http://www.rockrun.com/shop/prod.html?d=...4b946766c507726
With a harness they'll all do the job but necessary to go to a climbing shop and get the cheapest that fits you.
Total cost Stop + ascendeur + harness = £120
the other option is the top climber
http://www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/340
Total cost £165
S
Petzl Stop e.g.
http://www.rockrun.com/shop/prod.html?d=...4b946766c507726
Combined with ascendeur
http://www.rockrun.com/shop/prod.html?d=...4b946766c507726
With a harness they'll all do the job but necessary to go to a climbing shop and get the cheapest that fits you.
Total cost Stop + ascendeur + harness = £120
the other option is the top climber
http://www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/340
Total cost £165
S
CaptainCalamity
Member
I used to do a lot of climbing, and find that a climbing harness is much more comfortable than any bosun's chair I have ever used. Any CE marked climbing harness will be suitable, but bear in mind that some harnesses are designed to be lightweight and flexible rather than for comfort, so it's worth going to a decent outdoors shop and trying on a range of the biggest most padded designs you can find. Most will have adjustable leg loops, and will comfortably support you for ages whilst sitting atop the mast, and most will be festooned with loops which can be used to attach tools and the like.
Just one word of caution though - most climbers do not use a chest harness, so the only thing that stops you falling out of the harness if you invert is tightening the waist loop above your hips so that it cannot slip over your hips under load. It is worth getting someone familiar with these harnesses to check the fit for safety before you buy, as if a suitable fit cannot be found a chest harness becomes essential.
Hope this helps,
Andy.
Just one word of caution though - most climbers do not use a chest harness, so the only thing that stops you falling out of the harness if you invert is tightening the waist loop above your hips so that it cannot slip over your hips under load. It is worth getting someone familiar with these harnesses to check the fit for safety before you buy, as if a suitable fit cannot be found a chest harness becomes essential.
Hope this helps,
Andy.
crisjones
Well-Known Member
I use an industrial type full safety harness, similar to the screwfix one, only much better design with lots of padding on the straps etc and fully adjustable. Very comfortable to wear and work in and it has lots of attachment points, both for tools and lanyards.
I would reccomend a proper fall arrest lanyard rather than your normal sailing lanyard, they have an inbuilt shock absorber so you don't come to such a sudden stop if the worst happens and you take a dive.
All the above can be easily bought from most good Tool Hire shops or good quality tool stores (look in Yellow Pages - Safety) and will probably be much better value than the local swindlery, although they are still not cheap.
The screwfix one is a good price but I have no idea how comfortable it is for long periods, it certainly does not look like something you could sit in happily while working up the mast, it is purely a "catch you if you fall" harness.
I would say that the better climbing harnesses are designed to be sat in while dangling off a rope so will be much more comfortable.
I also tend to use my full harness on deck when necessary as they feel much more secure than your normal sailing type.
One other thing to be aware of is that if you do fall off almost all safety harnesses (as opposed to climbing harnesses) will end up restricting blood flow to the legs to the extent that you can end up with permanent damage if you are dangling in them for much more than about 20mins. Obviously this shouldn't be a problem on a boat.
I would reccomend a proper fall arrest lanyard rather than your normal sailing lanyard, they have an inbuilt shock absorber so you don't come to such a sudden stop if the worst happens and you take a dive.
All the above can be easily bought from most good Tool Hire shops or good quality tool stores (look in Yellow Pages - Safety) and will probably be much better value than the local swindlery, although they are still not cheap.
The screwfix one is a good price but I have no idea how comfortable it is for long periods, it certainly does not look like something you could sit in happily while working up the mast, it is purely a "catch you if you fall" harness.
I would say that the better climbing harnesses are designed to be sat in while dangling off a rope so will be much more comfortable.
I also tend to use my full harness on deck when necessary as they feel much more secure than your normal sailing type.
One other thing to be aware of is that if you do fall off almost all safety harnesses (as opposed to climbing harnesses) will end up restricting blood flow to the legs to the extent that you can end up with permanent damage if you are dangling in them for much more than about 20mins. Obviously this shouldn't be a problem on a boat.
jeodana
New Member
Read a worying article in PBO this year where someone was using a climbing sit harness as a safety harness. As captain calamity said. harnesses will invert you and will dunk you headfirst into the water if used in this way and drag you behind feet first. If you are lucky the harness will be dragged down your legs and you will be left swimming, if not it will be impossible to turn yourself back round. So if you do use one only use it for climbing (the purpose for which it was designed)
Gin
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
The screwfix one is a good price but I have no idea how comfortable it is for long periods, it certainly does not look like something you could sit in happily while working up the mast, it is purely a "catch you if you fall" harness.
[/ QUOTE ]
No argument with anything you've said, all good advice from experience I guess but I have found that the infrequent trips to the masthead even on the unpadded Screwfix product and even when being hauled up by it causes no great discomfort but I would not like to dangle from it for and hour or so.
One would hope a visit aloft is to be brief and in addition as I foresee the necessity of having one's head above masthead height then no harness or chair can achieve that as by definition same must be suspended from a halyard/sheave.
So that I get the best(for me) I have fitted a pair of aluminium mast climbers( folding steps) at 4ft. below masthead onto which I step when working and holding mysellf in place by a girth strap such as tree surgeons and BT linesmen use.
The screwfix one is a good price but I have no idea how comfortable it is for long periods, it certainly does not look like something you could sit in happily while working up the mast, it is purely a "catch you if you fall" harness.
[/ QUOTE ]
No argument with anything you've said, all good advice from experience I guess but I have found that the infrequent trips to the masthead even on the unpadded Screwfix product and even when being hauled up by it causes no great discomfort but I would not like to dangle from it for and hour or so.
One would hope a visit aloft is to be brief and in addition as I foresee the necessity of having one's head above masthead height then no harness or chair can achieve that as by definition same must be suspended from a halyard/sheave.
So that I get the best(for me) I have fitted a pair of aluminium mast climbers( folding steps) at 4ft. below masthead onto which I step when working and holding mysellf in place by a girth strap such as tree surgeons and BT linesmen use.
Ruffles
Well-Known Member
One small point. If you find yourself dangling in a harness lift your knees so that you're in a sitting position. Takes the weight off you're wotsists.
Also, if you're working on the top of the mast, rig some leg loops on a strap and run it over the mast head. Then stand in the loops and you get an extra bit of height.
Also, if you're working on the top of the mast, rig some leg loops on a strap and run it over the mast head. Then stand in the loops and you get an extra bit of height.
tangomoon
Well-Known Member
Cosalt Portishead, Bristol do an industrial full fall arrest harness very cheaply. Phone Kevin on 01275 848488 also good prices on 275N lifejackets and sprayhood
jax
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the imputs all. I have folding mast steps therefore the harness is only for 'back up' Now armed with the info receved I will retreat to the eBay search page!
geoffatstanpit
Well-Known Member
I use an old type (ie without lifejacket) sailing harness upside down with legs through shoulder straps. The waist buckle comes up to low chest level and seems quite comfortable and perfectly stable. One less item of kit to keep track of and has worked fine each time I've let go the Spi Halyard!
Geoff
Geoff
Col
Well-Known Member
If you are Solent based I can lend you a harness
crwber
New Member
spinlock have some excellent harnesses out.... i think they are the deck-pro series. a touch pricey, but used one for the last six months.