When you are climbing, you want you line to be as un-stretchable as possible, 
preferably attached at the bottom (so when you pull the ascender, it moves 
without pulling the line). You want that line to be a couple of centimeters (an 
inch?) away from the mast, so that you could move the ascenders freely. It does 
not matter if you use the climbing ascenders or the ATN attachments; they both 
need to slide on the line freely (or as freely, as possible). 

The loop for keeping you at the mast is much more important when you arrived at 
your destination (one might assume that you will spend some time there) - you 
don't want to be tossed around the mast (your knees may not like it). Btw. it 
just occurred to me (I never tried it myself) - one might want to use some knee 
pads (like for volleyball) when going up.

Marek

-----Original Message-----
From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Steve Thomas 
via CnC-List
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2017 16:06
To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com
Cc: Steve Thomas <sthom...@bellnet.ca>
Subject: Re: Stus-List Climbing the mast solo

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   :^(


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