How does a topclimber work?

[Burnham Bob]

The demo is not available on the website but from previous viewings I think i get the general idea. However, to climb my mast I'd like to do it from the rear and use the main halyard as the rope to climb. Or does the topclimber come with a dedicated 10mm kine that has to be hoisted on the halyard? If so where do you secure the bottom of the line and how do you tension it? I'd like to climb the last as vertically as possible rather than on a line run from the side meaning i was climbing up the hypotonuse of a triangle.

I'm fed up of paying the yard to go up the mast mast and I need to renew the flag halyard which broke. I'm useless at heights although a while ago as a stage electrician at University I got used to it and so I think I could again. The cost of the unit would be repaid by avodig just one ascent by the yard!

 

[nigelmercier]

The demo is not available on the website...

Boink!

[LATER] LOL! Mrs M just asked why I was watching porn!

 

[Vara]

If you've got a main halyard of about 10mm I can't see any problem in using that. I've used mine on an 8mm spinny halyard with no problems. Securing it to the beam of the boat in practise does not cause a problem, by the time you've gone up about 10 ft you are hard onto the mast.

The tighter the line the easier it is to use, although it will work on a slack line.

AFAIK it doesn't come with a dedicated line.

Superb bit of kit, saved the cost of mine already, and won a bottle of Scotch for 10 minutes work on a mates boat.

Usual caveats.

 

[Appledore]

Hi Bob,

I bought a Topclimber (eBay) a few years ago, after I had trouble at the top of the mast in the Channel Islands.

It's easy to rig but you will need a 10mm braid on braid dedicated line (they say!). I've been to the top probably 15 times, and it gets easier each time. Don't rig from the side, much better to have a near vertical ascent.

Now although they say you can reach the top of the mast, I've found that if you use two bowlines, one on the main halyard, and the other on the dedicated line, this shortens your climbing ability when the top slider reaches the bowline, and it's not as easy as 'they say' to actually see the top of the mast. I have now bought a dedicated line twice the height of the mast, and I hope to be able to attach this (somehow??) to the main(or jib) halyard, and pull it right through the sheaves, therefore eliminating the bowlines. Other than somehow securing the two rope ends so they pass through the sheaves at the masthead, I can't see why this wouldn't work, even if I have to cut off the splice at the end of the halyard (easy to redo that later).

Topclimbers often come up on eBay. Mine was 'unused' and cost me £70. They retail at over £200, but I think you'd soon get your money back. And whilst you climb, you can check out the standing rigging, spreaders and so on.

Highly recommended (although there are other methods the climbers use!).

Geoff

 

[oldbilbo]

Highly recommended (although there are other methods the climbers use!).

Ys. Crampons in the mainsail luff work.... once.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Buy a MastaClimba instead. There have been a couple of purchasers who have both. Guess which they prefer - by a big margin?

I'll lend you one free of charge to play with if you like. Pm me.

We will be at Southampton Boat Show if you can wait (Solent Park,- near the beer tent).

 

[Blue5]

Topclimber is a good bit of kit, sure you could source all the various bits individually and save a shilling but I really like ours and think it is so easy to use.

Takes up very little space and stores in its own bag that doubles as a tool pouch for the trip to the top.

Just watched the linked video of it and a couple of points worth considering that differ from the video are that 1. I always rig a second safety line as well 2. I would not trust connecting it to a halyard with a connector, I much prefer to tie a bowline to the halyard as well.

I also now keep 20m of light twine in the pouch so when I get to the top of the mast I can lower it down for the tool I forgot

 

[Talulah]

Topclimber is a good bit of kit, sure you could source all the various bits individually and save a shilling but I really like ours and think it is so easy to use.

Takes up very little space and stores in its own bag that doubles as a tool pouch for the trip to the top.

Just watched the linked video of it and a couple of points worth considering that differ from the video are that 1. I always rig a second safety line as well 2. I would not trust connecting it to a halyard with a connector, I much prefer to tie a bowline to the halyard as well.

I also now keep 20m of light twine in the pouch so when I get to the top of the mast I can lower it down for the tool I forgot

We have a Top Climber and I occasionally use it. I don't hoist a line up with a Halyard but use the spinnaker halyard, the end of which is fastened at the deck and pulled tight with a mast winch. The parts of the TopClimber are slid onto this spinnaker halyard before it is attached to the deck and tensioned up. I find it much easier to have a taught line to go up.
I've tried Graham's Mast Climber at one of the shows.
The rigid foot steps of the MastaClimba are much easier to use than the straps of the TopClimber.
With the 'out of the package' setups the TopClimber provides the ability to get to the top of the mast single handedly, whereas the MastaClimba doesn't.
The standard MastaClimba setup also requires two halyards. One for the bosuns chair and one for the Masta Climba. The TopClimber requires one halyard.
For me the ideal setup would be to use components of both or to have the additional components to convert the MastaClimba into a TopClimber. (Can't remember what you call those ascenders.)
If I had crew the MastaClimba would be first choice. Singlehanded, it would have to be the TopClimber (or MastClimba + bits to convert to TopClimber.)

 

[Graham_Wright]

We have a Top Climber and I occasionally use it. I don't hoist a line up with a Halyard but use the spinnaker halyard, the end of which is fastened at the deck and pulled tight with a mast winch. The parts of the TopClimber are slid onto this spinnaker halyard before it is attached to the deck and tensioned up. I find it much easier to have a taught line to go up.
I've tried Graham's Mast Climber at one of the shows.
The rigid foot steps of the MastaClimba are much easier to use than the straps of the TopClimber.
With the 'out of the package' setups the TopClimber provides the ability to get to the top of the mast single handedly, whereas the MastaClimba doesn't.

I have to respond!

I have always been able to ascend single-handed but I always frightened myself doing it! At the LBS with the help of TS Rigging from the Victory topmast demo and the outdoors climbing gurus next door we established a technique that was effective and safe.[/QUOTE]

The standard MastaClimba setup also requires two halyards. One for the bosuns chair and one for the Masta Climba.

-sort of but it is possible with just one. However, I am a safety freak and two is better IMHO. The change in technique is to use an ascender (for me a Petzl Ascendeur) on the chair/harness instead of someone taking up the slack on the winch. (That has always been the method for ascent). The descent was where difficulty always arose. The solution, as is often the case in life, was simple. I abseil down a separate line. There is inherent safety in my technique due to the attachment philosophy but here is not the place to say. However, SBS is the place to show.

For me the ideal setup would be to use components of both or to have the additional components to convert the MastaClimba into a TopClimber. (Can't remember what you call those ascenders.)
If I had crew the MastaClimba would be first choice. Singlehanded, it would have to be the TopClimber (or MastClimba + bits to convert to TopClimber.)

Overall the TopClmber comes complete and a chair is not necessary. (But then, most boats seem to carry a chair anyway). However, I have found it uncomfortable on the feet and ponderous, certainly coming down. My view has been supported by others.

Another big advantage is that (when two man) both the climber's hands are free allowing him to embrace the mast. At sea, that is a huge advantage. Even with my single-handed ascent, I can still hold onto the mast. This is not true for the TopClimber.

At the mast head, if you don't have steps, the MastaClimba is very comfortable to stand on and it is quite possible to work right on top of the mast. With a belt round the mast, I have spent half an hour drilling holes.

I love these discussions and it would be great to have them with the kit to hand. Do try to visit us at SBS, give it a go and compare notes.

 

[Talulah]

Graham
Adding to the discussion.

Another big advantage is that (when two man) both the climber's hands are free allowing him to embrace the mast. At sea, that is a huge advantage. Even with my single-handed ascent, I can still hold onto the mast. This is not true for the TopClimber.

But the TopClimber can be used this way so I don't see this as an advantage. Instead of sliding the seat up you just let your crew hoist it in the same way as you do for the MastaClimba.
Hence I don't see that as an advantage.
The big advantage personally for me is the rigid feet support. The TopClimber foot straps can be uncomfortable/fall off your feet and you have to reach down to put them back on again.

Two Halyards - sort of but it is possible with just one.

Explain please. Genuinely would like to know.

At the mast head, if you don't have steps, the MastaClimba is very comfortable to stand on and it is quite possible to work right on top of the mast. With a belt round the mast, I have spent half an hour drilling holes.

Agreed. Standing in the TopClimber foot straps at the mast head for any length of time is uncomfortable.

I love these discussions and it would be great to have them with the kit to hand. Do try to visit us at SBS, give it a go and compare notes.

I shall look out for you at the boat show to see the new techniques.

 

[Vara]

Hopefully I hope to get to Soton this year, will bring my Topclimber and we can play.

With the Topclimber practise makes perfect and I can now zip up and down quickly. My first efforts were very clumsy. descending is certainly more clunky than using a descendeur.

My safety when on my own is a prussik to another halyard and a phone, with help, a halyard on womanned winch.

When I did the mast climbing course the professional access gear we used was easier than the Topclimber, but about £150 more expensive.

Usual caveat, no commercial interest

 

[Graham_Wright]

Graham
Adding to the discussion.



But the TopClimber can be used this way so I don't see this as an advantage. Instead of sliding the seat up you just let your crew hoist it in the same way as you do for the MastaClimba.
Hence I don't see that as an advantage.

O.k. but then it is not a single hander. For me, hugging that mast, however you go up, is the best was of avoiding blood stains;- very bad for the anodising!

The big advantage personally for me is the rigid feet support. The TopClimber foot straps can be uncomfortable/fall off your feet and you have to reach down to put them back on again.

Explain please. Genuinely would like to know. (re 2 halyards)

Occasionally, a potential user just doesn't have enough bits of rope a dangling;- he has lost his halyards, or his topping lift is string or he his main jammed in the track. If there is nothing left;- tough. If you have one you can suspend two from it or you can use it to take a block with a becket for the ascent line and the sheave for the chair halyard. There is an implicit reduction in safety but not when subjected to realistic analysis (2000 Kg breaking strain and all that).

Agreed. Standing in the TopClimber foot straps at the mast head for any length of time is uncomfortable.



I shall look out for you at the boat show to see the new techniques.

Bring the beer (it'sonly a couple of steps)!

 

[Talulah]

It was only when I discussed the MastaClimba at Excel that I appreciated how much effort had gone into the design.
i.e. The jamming mechanism has to minimize wear on the rope.