Mast climbing systems?

[knuterikt]

This had been my original thought.
However, ...
1. A forumite who has these installed commented on the increased windage and that it also had an effect on the ability to point to windward.
2. I have several quotes to install fixed steps - the lowest quote was in the region of £1.5K (19.6mtr mast).

Whatever I get, it must be able to be used singlehandedly.

If you consider mast steps of any kind - please remember that you need to use some kind of safety rope to prevent you form hitting the deck hard.

There are lots of different solutions to climb the mast, it's more complicated to get down safely alone...
Climbers use descenders that come in many shapes and forms

The problem with systems that use the sail track in the mast is.
-Masts have tracks in different shape & size
-You need to take the sail out of the track to use it, on my boat that will take some time/work and what if a stuck sail is your reason to go up..

I have a home made device that works much the same way as the MastClimba (a movable step on a rope).
Have tried to use ascenders with climbing harness and foot loops, but feel that the movable step and a good bosun's chair is better (more stable and comfortable).
I use a bosun's chair with strops over shoulder, breast and thighs so it is impossible to fall out even upside down.

 

[GHA]

A steel wire rope caving ladder is worth a look, cable tied to some spare mast slides with a climbing harness and a shunt onto a cleated halyard as a safety.
At sea solo nothing can touch mast steps IMHO
Lovely view after days in the cockpit

 

[Gone sailing]

I made a mast climber like this one

It works quite well although you still need someone on another halyard or you could use ascenders with it which means you could do it solo!

 

[knuterikt]

I made a mast climber like this one

It works quite well although you still need someone on another halyard or you could use ascenders with it which means you could do it solo!

Mine is also similar to the one in your video.
This link is better

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I bought a Deffee mast ladder last year and have used it three time so far. It's a great bit of kit, simple and quick to rig and because of the rigid steps I'm sure must be more comfortable to stand on and find your step than the webbing variety. Easy up and down without assistance. Only drawback could be that you really need your mast track available, can't have mainsail up at the same time. You can get up over the top of the mast to work by standing on the top step and I'm pleased to have it on board.

+1

And George Deffee is a nice and obliging guy to deal with.

 

[Burnham Bob]

I've got a top climber. I'm useless at heights but I fetl secure and safe even at the top of the mast. I did use the spinnaker halyard as a safety line though as well. The guy who demonstrates on the video is a lot lighter than I am and I found that running the ascending line vertical was easier than to the toe rail. Your weight pulls the line down and you need to take some of the pressure off to slide the top ascender up. Still, I got to the top of the mast. Not as effortlessly as the video but perfectly safely - and more to the point, feeling safe all the time.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Mine is also similar to the one in your video.
This link is better

I met this chap at a boat show. Very enthusiastic character and his product is a refinement of the plywood board with two foot holds and jamming cleats which are ubiquitous (even I have one!). However, I think he ceased production and his site doesn't work.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Is there any way to hoist yourself up the mast?
I seem to remember seeing something like that advertised some time ago.

What is it? Where to get it?
Does it work?

Whatever you fancy, try it first (and I have offered you a MastaClimba to try with no obligation - read your p.m.)

You should also try out the other half of the rig, i.e. the harness or bosun's chair. Chairs are designed to sit in not climb and you tend to slide out while ascending. All the harnesses I have tried have been uncomfortable to sit in although Barney Green uses one with broad straps that should be better. I am meeting him tomorrow when we will exchange notes.

 

[Koeketiene]

Thank you all those who took the time to reply.

1. I would like to avoid systems involving the sail track. Our mainsail is not exactly small, and I would like to avoid faffing around with it at sea. Especially short or singlehanded.
2. The Top Climber looks good. Shame the demo doesn't show how you're supposed to get down.
3. The plywood board with the two holes in and the jamming cleat looks the most straightforward and simplest (I like simple). Only slight drawback: does require at least one crew.
4. The Mastaclimba (thanks for the kind offer BTW): have trouble in my mind figuring out how it actually works, how I should rig it, hpw I should get down, etc... A video would (have) help(ed).

 

[estarzinger]

The typical rock climbing set up, which I use . . . http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/mastclimbingpics.pdf. Designed for easy up AND down (with no dance at the top of the mast to switch hardware). Works very well, but a bit slow in up mode.

I am going to test some foot ascenders this spring, they are used by tree workers a lot, and which have promise for faster up, but some people (mostly cavers) say they are too fussy.

 

[KAL]

Is there any way to hoist yourself up the mast?
I seem to remember seeing something like that advertised some time ago.

What is it? Where to get it?
Does it work?

Mastaclimba. Bought one from Graham Wright of these fora. Once you've used it a couple of times it becomes second nature. Up to the top in no time. I also bought a petzl stop to lower myself with if I'm on my own. I use a jumar going up, as a fail safe. If you fancy another trip to Devon you can have a go, or Graham will send you one to try at no cost.

 

[Vara]

Going down with the topclimber, exactly the same as going up, but in reverse. Easy.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

My preferred method - which is easy to do single handed - is to pay somebody else to do it.

How often and why do folk see the need to climb the mast at sea, with no other capable crew on board ?

 

[Vara]

My preferred method - which is easy to do single handed - is to pay somebody else to do it.

How often and why do folk see the need to climb the mast at sea, with no other capable crew on board ?

aah but we impoverished pensioners with strength challenged partners would prefer not to pay other people to do something which with a small outlay they can do themselves.

My Topclimber paid for itself within 2 years, two bulb changes and two annual inspections.

 

[Koeketiene]

How often and why do folk see the need to climb the mast at sea, with no other capable crew on board ?

How often do you need a spare tyre for your car?
Does your car come with one?

It's one of those things I'd rather have and not need then need and not have.

 

[knuterikt]

How often do you need a spare tyre for your car?
Does your car come with one?

It's one of those things I'd rather have and not need then need and not have.

Why bother you can just call RNLI
Being prepared is so out of date

 

[BlueSkyNick]

aah but we impoverished pensioners with strength challenged partners would prefer not to pay other people to do something which with a small outlay they can do themselves.

My Topclimber paid for itself within 2 years, two bulb changes and two annual inspections.

I get the economics, but I would still prefer to buy a mate a pie and a pint than to get my own feet more than 3 feet above the deck.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Why bother you can just call RNLI
Being prepared is so out of date

Why would anybody call the RNLI to go up the mast? I still haven't seen anybody say why or how often they would climb the mast while underway single or double handed.

 

[knuterikt]

Why would anybody call the RNLI to go up the mast? I still haven't seen anybody say why or how often they would climb the mast while underway single or double handed.

I was trying so be sarcastic - sorry

But seriously sailboats have called for help when the sails wont furl or come down..

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I get the economics, but I would still prefer to buy a mate a pie and a pint than to get my own feet more than 3 feet above the deck.

There are plenty of people who get severe vertigo, and would be quite unable to climb a mast. I'm not one of them, but I know someone who has difficulties standing next to the edge of a dock, never mind getting 10+ metres up a mast! If I were like that, I'd HAVE to pay people to go up the mast, becasue I'd be quite unable to. And it isn't that uncommon.