Climbing the mast

[rschattman]

Does anyone have experience with the ATN Mastclimber? Are their other systems that you recommend? I am looking for ease, safety, etc.
Thanks

Richard

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[bottomscraper]

Yup got one, used it, works good. That said you may be able to assemble an even better setup using ascenders and a climbing harness from some place like Eastern Mountain Sports for less money. When you go up don't forget your camera and you may want to skip breakfast.

EMS Link: http://www.ems.com/

View From the Top:
[img]http://sailmahalo.com/summer2004/SternFromMast01.JPG[/img]

[rtbates]

I use mnt climbing ascenders bought from REI. While they work it is physical. The best way, by orders of magnitude, to get up a mast is
to walk up STEPS installed along the side. Makes conning a reef entrance a snap. You'll find yourself going to the spreaders just to have a look around.

Randy 25D Seraph #161

[RichMason]

Do you mean the ones that bolt/screw into the side of the mast or the wire/rope ones that people run in the stays?

[Carter Brey]

I use this English-made mast climbing ladder, which is cheaper than its American equivalent and very well made. They also include the appropriate slugs for your mast slot, which saves a lot of trouble.

http://www.hurst-marine.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm

[mike feeney]

Last Sunday at Pulpit Harbor , Me. I watched a skipper hop onto the main boom of his 38' sailboat from which he proceeded to freeclimb to the masthead where he proceeded to work for 20 mitutes while casually hanging on with one hand. With my binocs I could see that he wore climbing shoes but no other gear.
It wasn't a method I would have chosen but it sure was fun to watch. Sort of like what I assume NASCAR fans are drawn to, rooting for a winner but secretly thinking that you might see a crash.

[rtbates]

The folding kind that you attach along the side of the mast. I had the pleasure of sailing aboard a vessel in Belize a few years back that had them and the ease of climbing the mast was truly amassing. Every entry / exit thru the reef was begun with a jaunt to the spreaders where the lookout stayed and guided us through. W/o these steps the trips through the cuts would have been very nerve wracking and in some cases impossible. You simply can't see squat from deck level. Especially upon entering when you are looking down the backs of the swells and trying spotting where they DON'T break!

randy 25D Seraph #161