Mark, You won't have dynamic falls (one would hope) when climbing the mast. Dynamic falls happen when you are climbing and leading (the lead regularly is above the least piton or nut and if you fall you drop the double that distance). When you are climbing the mast, all your falls would be static - if you main gear fails, you would simply hang on the safety line. If you have someone helping, that person would take the slack of the safety line. If you are solo, you would move your attachment point (the Prusik's knot; the 3rd ascender) up as you are climbing. The safety line (and attachment should be almost tight (not too tight, you want the freedom of movement).
So in short - leave the dynamic ropes to the climbers; use the static ropes (lines) that we all have on the mast. Unless you are climbing the mast on a regular basis. You should not damage the halyard. There are different kinds of ascenders (like there are different kinds of clutches); some are gentle on the rope, others not so much. However, most of the ascenders are designed to be used regularly on the rope, so they should not make any significant damage to the halyard. One other thing, if you never tried it before, train for it like with anything else. I would not suggest that the trip straight to the top of the mast is the best thing to do on the first try. And if you try it first, think not only how you are going to go up, but also how you are planning to come down (the latter might be more tricky). Good luck Marek -----Original Message----- From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Dr. Mark Bodnar via CnC-List Sent: Friday, March 17, 2017 22:32 To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Dr. Mark Bodnar <drbod...@accesswave.ca> Subject: Re: Stus-List Climbing the mast solo I've been reading this discussion with some interest - while I have sent one kid up the mast I don't expect my 14 yr old to manage more complex tasks. I know about using dynamic ropes for climbing - but how do you get the dynamic rope up the mast to act as a safety line? And what line are you climbing? Should I be concerned about wear on my halyards using ascenders (with I believe geared pinch mechanisms)? For a safely line I know I could use a dynamic rope tied to a halyard and hauled up to the top of the mast - but it seems that extra knot brings another failure point we'd prefer to avoid. Plus - if you are climbing alone (nobody is taking up the slack in the safety rope) - then I'd guess you need a 3rd ascender for the safety line. If things go wrong how to you lower yourself with that safety line? Guess I should read up more on ascenders! Mark There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval. - George Santayana On 2017-03-17 5:05 PM, Steve Thomas via CnC-List wrote: > All, > I have been following this discussion with interest since I just > returned to my southern project boat with a so-far unused ATN Top Climber, > and intend to use it in the next couple of days. I have taken note in > particular to the idea of using a loop(s) to stay at the mast. The designer > of the device however, has at least in the past, suggested securing the > static line away from the mast because it makes the climb easier. I have not > tried it either way, but I like the sound of staying at the mast better. > Anyone have comments on this aspect of using the ATN climbing gear? Obviously > the boat would have to be pretty steady. > > On a separate note regarding fall arrest. I had a conversation one time with > an accomplished ice climber and asked him what type of line he preferred, > nylon or low stretch. He seemed to think that I was a complete idiot for even > asking the question, and maybe I was. Anyway, just to save anyone else who > has not thought it through from similar embarrassment or injury, you > definitely want any line that might arrest a fall to be stretchy. Nylon in > other words. > > I plan therefore to use polyester for the static line, and nylon for any > safety fall arrest lines. > > Steve Thomas > C&C36 > Merritt Island, FL > > > ---- Joe Della Barba via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > http://www.dellabarba.com/sailing/images/upmast.jpg > > Working on a topping lift in the Gulf Stream. If you are climbing underway, > MAKE SURE you have a loop to hold you near the mast. It does not look rough > in that photo, but the swells at 55 feet up were enough to make it hard to > hang on, and if you get loose you will hit one or more things pretty hard. > > Joe Della Barba > > j...@dellabarba.com <mailto:j...@dellabarba.com> > > > Coquina > > From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of > Rick Rohwer via CnC-List > Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2017 11:19 PM > To: Joel Aronson via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Cc: Rick Rohwer <rickroh...@gmail.com> > Subject: Re: Stus-List Climbing the mast solo > > > I use the same ascenders with my own concoction of straps but unlike the > fellow in the “atninc" ad I prefer a bosun’s chair to a climbing harness. > Plenty of pockets for tools and your vitals don’t go numb. These allow you > to actually climb above the top of the mast so you can work readily on mast > top fittings. > > Rick > > Paikea 37+ > > On Mar 16, 2017, at 8:12 AM, Frederick G Street via CnC-List > <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > Ryan — many on the list prefer a standard climbing harness and > ascenders for this type of job. I personally prefer to sit while > working for long periods of time, so I use the ATN TopClimber (now > called the “MastClimber”): > http://www.atninc.com/atn-mastclimber-sailing-equipment.shtml > > I’ve had very good luck with this equipment; in a previous life as a marine > electronics installer, I spent a LOT of time up masts, and always felt safe > and comfortable. > > YMMV… > > — Fred > > Fred Street -- Minneapolis > S/V Oceanis (1979 C&C Landfall 38) -- on the hard in Bayfield, WI :^( > > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. 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