In praise of the 'Topclimber'.

[Rabbie]

In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Which I have just purchased. I used it for the first time on Monday and was greatly impressed. For singlehanders such as me, this is an excellent piece of kit when you have to go aloft. I have no head for heights but this felt very secure and was simple to use. Recommended to all.

 

[Ric]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

The topclimber is good but is a rather expensive version of the equivalent climbing gear. I have two petzl ascenders, a decent abseiling harness and an abseiling 8. I can whiz up and down the mast in seconds with minimal effort. It baffles me why there are so many complicated and expensive mast climbing kits on the market when there is such good stuff readily available in any climbing shop.

And those "bosuns charis" they sell in chandlers should be outlawed - horribly useless and dangerous! A decent climbing harnsess is far safer and more comfortable.

 

[tome]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Good thing about the topclimber is the seat which is comfortable for extended periods, unlike a climbing harness. It's not as fast as using a grigri for descents, but a very adequate piece of equipment at a reasonable price IMO. I have one and love the fact that I can work well above mast height with it.

 

[Stevie_T]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Totally agree with you, using this equipment is my job and it is as you say cheaper and safer.
The thing nobody ever seems to mention though, with any system is using a back up device and line. I use a petzl shunt clipped onto a spare halyard. After all do you know what condition that halyard is in that you are climbing?

 

[ParaHandy]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

jist hoo dae youse get above ra mast height? You must have to stand in the foot ascender whilst levering yer bum oot o' ra seat which isn't something i'd be loving to do .... or am i missing something ...

 

[tome]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

I have a dedicated 10mm line for the climber which I pull up using a tied-on halyard. I inspect the halyard as I pull it up, then set the climbing line taut with a winch. Also use a safety harness at the masthead.

Does your climbing gear get you above the mast, and can you sit comfortably for over an hour in your harness?

 

[tome]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

There's a strap on the seat part which shortens, so your bum is hardly off the seat though you have to stand to get max height.

 

[ParaHandy]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

ah .. think i've got you ... shortening the seat strap brings you closer but still keeps arse/bum almost in seat and thus gives support whilst you stand up ... wonder if i could do same with a proper climbing harness rather than the chair I've got which has a fixed length strap ...

 

[tome]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

I would think so. The shortening strap is just a clip and a D ring. Also, the seat has a back and thigh straps so it stays attached to yer airse. Topclimber claim that there's is the only solo climbing device that allows you to work above the mast top without leaving the chair.

Not heard a response from anyone about climbing harnesses for extended periods. Last time up I had a fair number of jobs to do and was over an hour aloft, which I don't think I could manage in a conventional harness without major discomfort.

 

[DJE]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

So roughly how much does one of these cost?

 

[tome]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Cost me £182 from SeaTeach Emsworth

 

[tugboat]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Interesting to hear all this praise as this piece of gear got a pretty lukewarm report from Sailing Today who found it very slow to use and extremely hard work. Presumably it's effectiveness depends on the fitness of the user?

 

[Strathglass]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

I have just bought a webbing mast climbing ladder from ebay.

I have used one often before and find it quite secure . It slides up the luff grove and cost me a few pence over £50 including the carrage

Iain.

 

[fireball]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

How much is a petzl ascender then?

Cos it was a pain for my crew to haul me aloft last season in our standard bosuns chair - and I am strong and (just about) fit enough to lift myself up....

 

[Stevie_T]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Tome
Never seen or used a Topclimber and I dont know the price of it and any ancilliary equipment you need so just for the record I am not making any negative comments about it. In fact I would be interested to see one as it may be better than I currently use.
With a 'rope access kit' or climbing gear if you wish to sit for extended periods the generally accepted method is to use a home made seat out of a plank of wood, very comfortable.
To get extra height you would use 'etriers' which are simply webbing straps a few feet long with steps sewn in. Cheap and easy to use or you could use a tape with roller buckle to adjust the length. In either case you stand to get the extra height.

 

[Stevie_T]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Sounds a good idea, though presumably you are using that with a harness or bosuns chair. Downside I guess is you are still relying on somebody to lifeline you, belay at working position and lifeline you down.

 

[Stevie_T]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Well to do it with petzl gear, although I am an advocate, this is mainly because I already have the gear. You need as minimum, a harness, footloop, 2 ascenders, a couple of carabiners and a short length of dynamic rope. Ideally you would also have a safety back up device and a descender. So it would cost a fair bit, certainly more than the £185 quoted for the Topclimber, though I would question whether that is a price for a complete system or if anything extra is required?

 

[fireball]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Ok - ta ... I had a look and the petzl ascenders were sub £30 each ... harness isn't a problem as I have numerous trapeze harnesses that could be used, but I think I'll stick to the bosuns chair for now... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Strathglass]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Yes,
Stevie always use a back up, Usually a harness.

I suppose there is one of the climbing things which could be used on another haliard if one was single handed.
My daughter will probably be able to point me in the right direction as she is into climbing.

Iain

 

[tome]

Re: In praise of the \'Topclimber\'.

Stevie

The cost included everything in a stout bag which can be clipped on to take gear aloft, except for the dedicated 10mm climbing line.

Tugboat

Agree it's not as fast as climbing gear especially on the descent. There's a bit of technique involved, but I find it ideal for me and I'm no spring chicken. It's some many years since I climbed and equipment will have moved on a lot so there may be a better solution, but I haven't found it.

Cheers
Tom