[C320-list] Climbing harness vs bosun chair

[dluzader]

The Topclimber is good for the reasons Jon describes, but a much less
expensive route is to buy a simple climbing harness from a supplier
like REI and two ascenders (Petzl is one of the brands).  Tie the
first ascender to your harness and attach the second to a foot or two
of line with a loop at one end.   Affix both ascenders to the the
climbing line and ratchet your way up using your foot in the loop.
It's probably best if you don't actually climb the halyard because the
ascenders can be a little rough.  Instead, use your halyard to raise a
static climbing line (Topclimber recommends this, as well).

If you have help, have someone trail a second halyard attached to the
harness as a safety.  When climbing on my own I always rig a second
halyard about halfway up the mast and clip on to it on the way up.  If
there's a failure of some kind, at least it cuts your fall in half.

Doug Luzader
Assignment

On Sat, Apr 18, 2009 at 7:17 AM, Jon Vez <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
> Bob,
>
> You may want to consider the Top climber--pricey, but in my opinion well
> worth it for a couple of reasons--very comfortable, you can go up the mast
> (safely) alone, you can get above the top of the mast with the use of both
> hands, and if you do have help you can be raised/lowered like a traditional
> bosuns chair. What makes me feel better about spending the money is that it
> gets borrowed by all my boat neighbors when they have to go up in lieu of
> using their traditional chairs. So it's being put to good use....
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
> Solstice #582
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert
> Seastream
> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 5:38 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Climbing harness vs bosun chair
>
> What's the general consensus?  Is a bosun chair better/safer/more
> comfortable than a climbing harness when ascending a mast is the job
> at hand?
> I've seen prices from around $370 to $56.  No, I wouldn't buy the $56
> item, but would hate to buy the top end to find out it's no safer/
> comfortable but because it has pockets for drinks, iPods, etc.
>
> Bob Seastream
> Intuition # 906
>
>
> On Apr 16, 2009, at 3:32 PM, Bryan Campbell wrote:
>
>> Go with the flat for jacklines. You don't want rolling line
>> underfoot at
>> sea.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com]On Behalf Of Joe
>> Abbagnaro
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 4:28 PM
>> To: C320-List
>> Subject: [C320-list] JackLines
>>
>>
>> What do you think about using this for Jacklines ?
>>
>> Looks like the same stuff West Marine and Defender are selling.
>>
>>
>> http://www.rocknrescue.com/acatalog/1-Inch-Solid-Nylon-Type-18-Flat.html
>>
>> Thanks
>> Joe
>>
>
>