Mast Climbing for the old

[tonykerry]

Anyone got any good tips for a mast climbing device suitable for old salts with replacement hips etc? I have heard of a MastClimba device that is supposed to help but have not found any details. Any assistance will be useful. Thanks

 

[srm]

Fortunately, do not have a hip replacement but am retired. I have recently discovered the delights of fixed mast steps. So good I replaced all the standing rig with the mast up, two wires at a time. I wear a soft bosuns chair attached to a rope climbing clamp on the main halyard as a safety harness, and can sit in it while working, or enjoying the view.

Failing that two climbers' ascendures (rope climbing clamps) one for the bosuns chair and the second (below it) on a pair of stirups or wooden step and shuffle up the main halyard. I used this rig first about 1982 for single handed mast climbing and if I am thinking of the right thing a picture of the MastClimba uses the same principal. (Interestingly enough the outdoor activities shop manager was very reluctant to sell me them as his climbing specialist was not in and he felt I needed instruction on how to safely use them). I find the tricky bit is comming down again.

The other method I used a lot was a four part block and tackle with enough soft rope to be hoisted to the mast head on the main halyard with the tail from the top (giving 5 to 1 purchase). I would haul myself up with this and used a rope clamp to secure the tail to the bosuns chair so I stayed put if I let go. I always tied a large sail bag to the chair for the tail, as it was a lot of rope on a 16 metre mast, and I did not want to get stranded part way up with the tail hooked around something at deck level. Have used this rig to go up the backstays with a snatch block on the stay. Its also a lot easier than winding a halyard winch for someone else to haul you up with. Only problem is that the blocks and strop on the chair left me a bit short when working on the masthead.

 

[bilbobaggins]

Yes, I offer the firm impression that you should consider, then acquire, a set of the optimum rock-climbing devices - probably 'Ascendeurs'.

I'd encourage you to visit the nearest specialist climbing wall, to explain your task and seek the guidance of the senior instructor. (S)he will know.

You will also have opportunity to try out the kit and techniques in safety. That's worth the pittance you may be charged for being kept safe, if not secure, while you are trying it all out.

Do not think for a minute you are better off just buying whatever your local camping shop assistant chooses to sell to you. That's a fiver saved you'll regret.

 

[srm]

probably 'Ascendeurs'.

Thanks - I knew it wasn't quite right, only dyslexia hadn't been invented when I was at school

 

[boathead]

Mast climbing for the old

Anyone got any good tips for a mast climbing device suitable for old salts with replacement hips etc? I have heard of a MastClimba device that is supposed to help but have not found any details. Any assistance will be useful. Thanks

Hi there,

Yep, as 'srm' suggested, try Ascendeurs. I use a pair so that i can climb my mast alone, just as said I use a bosuns chair on one and foot straps on the other. They cost me £70 for the pair and after a day practicing they proved to be easy enough. They can (again as said) be awkward coming down until you remember to keep all your weight off the ascendeur you are sliding down the main halyard; put all your weight in the bosuns chair and slide ascenduer with footstaps down, don't push it down with your feet, then stand 'up' in the footstraps and slide ascenduer with bosuns chair down whist standing, then sit down, take weight off your feet and repeat.

They're great, you feel secure and can work away comfortably. I sail singlehanded and on a low, low budget, they have paid me their costs many times over.

 

[JohnTH]

I use an ordinary ladder to go up the mast. Lash it to a topping lift so the top will stay in place an up you go. I can do it, even with a peg leg !

73s de
Johnth

 

[PeteCooper]

I use a Deffee mast ladder. It goes up the mainsail track, is stable, light, and stows in a very small space. Excellent piece of kit.

 

[AliM]

I use a single ascendeur with a footstrap on spinny halyard + a good climbing harness on the main halyard on a winch. This means I do most of the work, using my better leg (no hip replacement yet, but a dodgy left hip). The procedure is:
move ascendeur up, while taking my weight on the harness
Take weight on foot strap, thus stepping upwards
Assistant winds in the slack on the halyard on the winch, doing minimal work.
Repeat. It's a lot easier than it sounds.
I have a line from the ascendeur to the harness as well. The main halyard is made off so that I could only fall so far if everything failed. I knot and shackle the halyard to the harness, rather than relying on the shackle.

I find a climbing harness much more comfortable and feel much secure in it than a bosun's chair.

However, we need some step right at the top of the mast, if I am going to work there for long - haven't worked that out yet.

 

[maxi77]

There is no doubt in my mind that mast steps are the solution.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I use a Deffee mast ladder. It goes up the mainsail track, is stable, light, and stows in a very small space. Excellent piece of kit.

I also use the Deffee ladder, shared between friends so has different size of mast slider on each side. Will easily reach the mast top. I disagree about stowing in a small space - it's bulky due to the rigid rungs but far superior to the webbing type ladder rungs. Came out on top in a sailing mag test a few years back, but not sure if it's still made?
My tip, FWIW - get a youger person to climb the mast - much easier and only costs me a pint or two!
For only up to the spreaders I use a ladder securely lashed.

 

[geoid96]

I also use the Deffee ladder................... not sure if it's still made?

It's still made. See: http://www.gdeffee.freeserve.co.uk/

There are a whole load of options for getting up the mast described at: http://cruisingresources.com/Going_Aloft

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Anyone got any good tips for a mast climbing device suitable for old salts with replacement hips etc? I have heard of a MastClimba device that is supposed to help but have not found any details. Any assistance will be useful. Thanks

Can certainly recommend the fabric mast ladders that are hoisted up the sail track.

I always use a bosun's chair as well, as safety, and somewhere to sit and get the weight off the legs once at the work point.

 

[rob2]

An extra thought...
All the climbing kit that holds onto a rope will bite into it and will, in time, damage it. Also, a climbing rope is made to stretch - the opposite characteristic of a halyard. If you should fall and be brought up by the safety line, it will be a sharp jerk rather than a soft stop. It may pay you to but a length of climbing rope to haul up with the halyard for the purpose.

All the above should be read in the knowledge that I am a devout coward regarding heights ( I need a nappy if I climb) and supply a choice of bosun's chairs and a masttrack ladder for anyone kind enough to go up there for me!

Rob.

 

[jobbie]

Anyone got any good tips for a mast climbing device suitable for old salts with replacement hips etc? I have heard of a MastClimba device that is supposed to help but have not found any details. Any assistance will be useful. Thanks

I generally sail singlehanded and needed to go aloft recently. I use the TopClimber device. Not cheap but simple to use.

http://www.atninc.com/topclimber.html

 

[Blueboatman]

I second SRM's advice re fixed steps, though mine are of the folding variety.

If you don't want to spend the money at least think about fitting just two steps at the mast head next time you have the mast out.. Invariably bosuns chairs etc and other devices will get you up to but still just 'below' the masthead, making it so much more difficult to work, even changing a lightbulb.

 

[ChrisE]

I second SRM's advice re fixed steps, though mine are of the folding variety.

If you don't want to spend the money at least think about fitting just two steps at the mast head next time you have the mast out.. Invariably bosuns chairs etc and other devices will get you up to but still just 'below' the masthead, making it so much more difficult to work, even changing a lightbulb.

I, too, would agree with mast steps, they are on my shopping list.

I've got the Topclimber and it is well made and a good piece of kit. However, it is damned hard work, if like me you are, ahem, generously proportioned. As a result we don't go up the mast as often as we could, or should....

 

[PeteCooper]

I also use the Deffee ladder, shared between friends so has different size of mast slider on each side. Will easily reach the mast top. I disagree about stowing in a small space - it's bulky due to the rigid rungs but far superior to the webbing type ladder rungs. Came out on top in a sailing mag test a few years back, but not sure if it's still made?
My tip, FWIW - get a youger person to climb the mast - much easier and only costs me a pint or two!
For only up to the spreaders I use a ladder securely lashed.

By stowing in a small space I mean about the same as a rolled up sleeping bag.

 

[srm]

An extra thought...
All the climbing kit that holds onto a rope will bite into it and will, in time, damage it. Also, a climbing rope is made to stretch - the opposite characteristic of a halyard. If you should fall and be brought up by the safety line, it will be a sharp jerk rather than a soft stop. It may pay you to but a length of climbing rope to haul up with the halyard for the purpose.

Rob.

Having done a bit of rock climbing in the dim and distant past, I appreciate where you are comming from. However am happy to use climbing clamps on main halyard because:
1 rarely used, a few times a season at most.
2 free fall will be at most 0.5 metre - the distance I shuffle bosuns chair up or down halyard in one move, or the distance between mast steps when used as a safety line for single handed climbing.
3 no worse than a rope clutch which is commonly used on halyards etc. by many boats.
Incidentally, if I have an assistant while climbing mast steps I attach main halyard to bosuns chair and they take up the slack on the winch as I climb. Comming down is then (usually) easy. They smoothly surge the halyard on the winch drum while I sit in the chair.

 

[puddock]

An extra thought...
... Also, a climbing rope is made to stretch - the opposite characteristic of a halyard. If you should fall and be brought up by the safety line, it will be a sharp jerk rather than a soft stop. ....

Rob.

If using a pair of Ascenduers, there will be no "drop", as the weight is being taken on one before moving the other.
If using one ascenduer, as a safety device, the falling distance would be minimal before locking, therefore little benefit would be gained by 'stretch' in a climbing (dynamic) rope.
The main benefit of a dynamic rope when climbing, is when falling a distance before your "mate" decides to lock you (jamming the rope). With a potential fall distance of 30ft +, then the uefulness in a little give becomes much more appreciable.

 

[david36]

If you do not want to go the fixed mast steps route I am another vote for a Deffee ladder - a great bit of kit - although like others , my preferred solution is to send some bright young thing up there; good experience for them!
Fair winds.