I use a Topclimber, it works ok. It does allow you to get close enough to the top of the mast to work on things like the windex.
Art On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 3:12 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Thanks Dave. > > My research over the past two days tells me that 1) don't use a boat > halyard as these ascenders eat throught the outer rope (Of course, I don't > think anyone goes up their mast often enough to make that truly a problem) > and 2) the frog system uses less parts (so less expensive) than the > ropewalker/ATN but uses more effort than the ropewalker. > > Frog system is $210 at GGG and $177 (minus harness, about $50) at > Kartsports. I haven't checked REI yet (physical store is not very close) or > Moosejaw (physical store is 5 miles away). > > Bob > > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: "David Shaddock" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Bob, here's an excerpt from a Cruising World post that describes a > home-assembled Frog system. By the way, the ATN is definitely the GGG's > Ropewalker system, but people say it's built of inferior materials at a > higher price (although it includes a hard board chair). Some suggest just > going to a local climbing studio and buying a couple of Petzl ascenders and > building your own—which could be done for either a Ropewalker or a Frog > system. Myself? I prefer the Frog—you use both legs at once and you're > always balanced. > > > > Excerpt below: > > > > My son is a mountain climber and gave me 2 Gibb ratchets. They are like a > cam cleat (but obviously safer and a bit more sophisticated). They cost $40 > apiece. > > The first thing you do is attach the main halyard to the base of the mast > and tighten it bar-hard. Attach the 2 cleats to the halyard, one lower than > the other. Attached to the top cleat is a climbing harness or bosun's chair. > Attached to the lower cleat is line with 2 foot-loops. > > Operation: > STEP 1 - You simply sit on the bosun's chair and slide the lower cleat up > until it hits the bottom of the upper cleat. This can be done because there > is no weight on the foot straps. > STEP 2 - stand up (which takes weight off the bosun's chair) and slide the > upper cleat up the halyard. > STEP 3 - repeat STEP 1. > > I have a 62-foot mast and go up and down it easily to spray my sail-track, > inspect shrouds, or do other maintenance. They can be purchas ed at REI or > any mountain shop. > > ... > > The gibb ascender is "cleat-like". One end of the cleat is a jaw and the > other end is a lever. When you want to come down you lift the lever which > withdraws the jaw. This can only be done when there is no load on that > particular ascender. If the ascender is loaded (weight on) then it is > "impossible" to lift the lever. I use 2 ascenders, my harness is attached to > the top one and a "texas tee" foot strap is attached to the lower ascender. > Advice from Al Hatch says to run a safety strap from the harness to the > lower ascender also. > > > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:29 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* catalina27-talk: bosun's chair alternative > > > > I have ordered a petzl-corax climing harness to replace my (recalled) > buson's chair. > > Apparently some of you are knowledgable about climbing. How does the GGG > (Gonzo Guano Gear) Frog system compare to Petzl Frog Ascending system, the > rope walking system and ATN Topclimber? > > I suspect the Topclimber is the marine version of the rope walking system, > but don't know. > > The ATN Topclimber is about $324, the Petzl Frog System is $177.50 at > kartsports.com (but needs a harness, which I now have). > > Bob Mann > >
