Going Aloft Solo
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Paul
Going Aloft Solo
Does anyone know of a efficient, safe, inexpensive way to get to the mast head by ones self without free climbing, steps or web ladders? Has anyone made up a purchase and line for the purpose? If so how well did it work? Any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks
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Bob B
Re: Going Aloft Solo
There is a knot used in mountaineering called a prussik knot that will enable you to climb the halyards.It is a loop of rope wrapped twice around a larger rope. Then clip it into a harness, not solely chest harness, but seat. Two of these can be shifted alternately to climb the halyards. Ascenders called jumars also work but are expensive. In alll truth don't try this without getting someone to help you the first time. Also have a spare safety line. BE CAREFUL!
Bob B.
BundyR@aol.com
Bob B.
BundyR@aol.com
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Gary
Re: Going Aloft Solo
Paul,
I recently replaced my flexible furler system on my 25D which involved removing the headstay at the mast and also installed a new wind indicator at the mast head. I purchased a Mast Mate for these jobs and it is definately worth the money. The reason you climb the mast is to perform a specific function or task. Regardless of how high the mast is you must be secure when you get there because any job up there is very tiring and you need a system that will ensure you are safe and will allow you the freedom to use your hands to work without holding on for dear life. This is one area that you can't be frugal. The reason I bought the Mast Mate is because unlike a Bosun's chair you don't need a second person. Check out their web site. I thought their product pricing was reasonable.
Regards,
Gary
garym@taxinvest.com
I recently replaced my flexible furler system on my 25D which involved removing the headstay at the mast and also installed a new wind indicator at the mast head. I purchased a Mast Mate for these jobs and it is definately worth the money. The reason you climb the mast is to perform a specific function or task. Regardless of how high the mast is you must be secure when you get there because any job up there is very tiring and you need a system that will ensure you are safe and will allow you the freedom to use your hands to work without holding on for dear life. This is one area that you can't be frugal. The reason I bought the Mast Mate is because unlike a Bosun's chair you don't need a second person. Check out their web site. I thought their product pricing was reasonable.
Regards,
Gary
garym@taxinvest.com
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Duane Yoslov
Re: Going Aloft Solo
Yes - there is a safe - relatively inexpensive way. I use a set of "falls" made up of a 3:1 purchase block and tackle with 1/2" line. The rope should be a 4 times the mast height above deck so that you are pulling down off the upper block. The lower block should be a single ratcheting block with a becket and the upper a double block. The ratcheting block at the bottom helps support your weight and allows you to stop and rest along the way. Once aloft - tie the tail under the bottom block and around the rode. I purchsed my falls this year and do not hesitate to run up the mast for any reason now by myself. It is a great simple solution...
Duane Yoslov
Mystic
CD330 hull#142
SF, CA
yoslovd@aol.com
Duane Yoslov
Mystic
CD330 hull#142
SF, CA
yoslovd@aol.com
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Chris Reinke
Re: Going Aloft Solo
Paul wrote: An inexpensive and safe alternative utilizes a climbing knot called a prussic. First create two loops of line and secure them to a halyard using the prussic technique. The first loop is secured to a seat harness or bosons chair. The second loop should drop to about you knee level. The second step is to place one foot in the lower loop and raise yourself up. Now slide the other prussic as high as possible and allow it to carry your weight by sitting down on the chair. As you apply your weight to the prussic it will tighten around the halyard and hold the load. You will literally walk up the mast.
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Bob McReynolds
Re: Going Aloft Solo
One method for going to the speaders is to fill 2 5 gallon jerry cans with water and attach them to the bitter end of the main halyard. Attach a second line 30 ft line also to the bitter end. Winch the jerry cans to the top of the mast using the main halyard head. Attach your chair to the tail side of the wench, sit down, and carefully remove the halyard from the wench. Use the second 30 ft line hand over hand to raise yourself. Tie your chair and safety harness off at the speaders.
I would like to try the prussik method but don't know how to tie the knots.
I would like to try the prussik method but don't know how to tie the knots.
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Douglas McMullin
Re: Going Aloft Solo
There are quite a few climbing specific methods for ascending a fixed line... In this case its a halyard... There was some mention of friction knots (the prussic). There are better knots for this purpose... A Bachman, Kleimheist, and auto block all function a bit better that the traditional prussic.
Mechanical ascenders are the best method, but cost quite a bit more than the cord required to make any of the above friction knots. A jumar (as mentioned) was a brand name that has not been around for more than 15 years... Petzl produced the most widely used ascenders today. There are many types, though all have the same basic function.
Using any of the above devices requires additional gear. A seat or full body harness. (Use of a chest harness alone for going aloft is 100% stupid... I would rather fall to the deck from 50 feet than to fall onto a chest harness alone), daisy chains, aiders, and a hand full of carabiners.
The system used for climbing a fixed line is quite simple, but the setup of the gear takes practice. Its quick, but everything must be adjusted just right or the climbing is more strenuous...
It is a system that would be worth knowing for the offshore person. I would not bother learning it for the occasional use at the marina.
If anyone would like more info... Email me.
Douglas McMullin (Climbing Guide - Atlantic Climbing School - Bar Harbor Maine)
dmcm@revnetx.net
dmcm@revnetx.net
Mechanical ascenders are the best method, but cost quite a bit more than the cord required to make any of the above friction knots. A jumar (as mentioned) was a brand name that has not been around for more than 15 years... Petzl produced the most widely used ascenders today. There are many types, though all have the same basic function.
Using any of the above devices requires additional gear. A seat or full body harness. (Use of a chest harness alone for going aloft is 100% stupid... I would rather fall to the deck from 50 feet than to fall onto a chest harness alone), daisy chains, aiders, and a hand full of carabiners.
The system used for climbing a fixed line is quite simple, but the setup of the gear takes practice. Its quick, but everything must be adjusted just right or the climbing is more strenuous...
It is a system that would be worth knowing for the offshore person. I would not bother learning it for the occasional use at the marina.
If anyone would like more info... Email me.
Douglas McMullin (Climbing Guide - Atlantic Climbing School - Bar Harbor Maine)
dmcm@revnetx.net
dmcm@revnetx.net
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Brewer Ezzell
Re: Going Aloft Solo
Paul,
I have been using mountain climbing ascenders (Jumar to be specific) for several years. The asecnder has a cam which grips your properly sized halyard. You will need two ascenders. A top unit to which you attach a seat harness, and a second lower unit to which you attach a set of stirrups. The stirrups allow you to stand up to take pressure off of the upper asender so that it can be raised up the halyard. It is important that in addition to your feet resting in the stirrups that they also are tied around your ankles (if you get turned upside down, you've got a chance of this keeping you from falling). You can go up the halyard by standing up in your stirrups, raising the upper ascender attached to your seat harness, sitting in the seat harness and rasing your knees to allow you to raise the lower stirrup ascender. Use a safety line attached to a chest harness to loop around the mast once you are above the spreaders. It would be best to buy the equipment from a "proper" mountain climbing shop that can instruct you in the correct use of the equipment. Also, if help is around, I still use a second halyard attached to the safety harness and properly handled on deck. This procedure works for me, but may not be for everyone.
bemf249@murphyfarms.com
I have been using mountain climbing ascenders (Jumar to be specific) for several years. The asecnder has a cam which grips your properly sized halyard. You will need two ascenders. A top unit to which you attach a seat harness, and a second lower unit to which you attach a set of stirrups. The stirrups allow you to stand up to take pressure off of the upper asender so that it can be raised up the halyard. It is important that in addition to your feet resting in the stirrups that they also are tied around your ankles (if you get turned upside down, you've got a chance of this keeping you from falling). You can go up the halyard by standing up in your stirrups, raising the upper ascender attached to your seat harness, sitting in the seat harness and rasing your knees to allow you to raise the lower stirrup ascender. Use a safety line attached to a chest harness to loop around the mast once you are above the spreaders. It would be best to buy the equipment from a "proper" mountain climbing shop that can instruct you in the correct use of the equipment. Also, if help is around, I still use a second halyard attached to the safety harness and properly handled on deck. This procedure works for me, but may not be for everyone.
bemf249@murphyfarms.com
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chuck yahrling
Re: Going Aloft Solo
I agree; been using two ascenders as you describe all season. I also use a static line instead of the halyard, since this special mountaineering rope resists chafing from the ascenders and does not stretch, making the climbing easier for me. I bend the static line to the mast base and then to the halyard with a triple fisherman's bend. This pretensions it to take any stretch out of the halyard.Brewer Ezzell wrote:
Paul,
I have been using mountain climbing ascenders (Jumar to be specific) for several years. The asecnder has a cam which grips your properly sized halyard. You will need two ascenders. A top unit to which you attach a seat harness, and a second lower unit to which you attach a set of stirrups. The stirrups allow you to stand up to take pressure off of the upper asender so that it can be raised up the halyard. It is important that in addition to your feet resting in the stirrups that they also are tied around your ankles (if you get turned upside down, you've got a chance of this keeping you from falling). You can go up the halyard by standing up in your stirrups, raising the upper ascender attached to your seat harness, sitting in the seat harness and rasing your knees to allow you to raise the lower stirrup ascender. Use a safety line attached to a chest harness to loop around the mast once you are above the spreaders. It would be best to buy the equipment from a "proper" mountain climbing shop that can instruct you in the correct use of the equipment. Also, if help is around, I still use a second halyard attached to the safety harness and properly handled on deck. This procedure works for me, but may not be for everyone.
As a safety, I rig a loop of webbing in a Prussic around the mast and clip it into my harness. This also keeps the swaying down.
When I'm done climbing, the climbing harness makes an inexpensive safety harness for me or crew.
$0.02
yahrling@cybertours.com