Options for single-handed mast climbing?

[MarkJ68]

Why not just use a Texas Prusik up the main halyard and run a back-up prusik on a second halyard? Safer than safe and you would have an infinite number of stopping positions.

[Markhunter1097]

What did Jean luc Heede use to climb and fix his mast multiple times in the southern ocean on his way to winning the Golden Globe race?

[Cool Hand Luke]

Awesome posts! Also looking to climb the mast of my Jeanneau SO409. Thanks to all that gave their 2 cents!!

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know

[Sailon1]

Originally Posted by Don C L

This review liked it. I've never tried it, and I've never climbed the mast without someone on a safety line, but if you are singlehanding, my guess is the Topclimber is the best bet. Hope some riggers chime in.
https://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/7-mast-cl...-on-test-49797

Yes, thanks to the many CF suggestions, I've got a pretty good idea
that I'll go with the Topclimber.

[masonc]

Originally Posted by Sailon1

Yes, thanks to the many CF suggestions, I've got a pretty good idea
that I'll go with the Topclimber.

Mastclimber. It replaced the top climber.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by masonc

Mastclimber. It replaced the top climber.

You mean the ATN Mastclimber replaced the old ATN Topclimber, Topclimber is a different product....

ATN Mastclimber ATN Mastclimber | Single Handed Bosun Chair | Climbing the Mast based in Hollywood, FL USA...

Topclimber https://topclimberinternational.com/ based in the Netherlands....

[masonc]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

You mean the ATN Mastclimber replaced the old ATN Topclimber, Topclimber is a different product....

ATN Mastclimber ATN Mastclimber | Single Handed Bosun Chair | Climbing the Mast based in Hollywood, FL USA...

Topclimber https://topclimberinternational.com/ based in the Netherlands....

That's what I meant, thanks

[Sailon1]

Hello and thank you for your responses. So the top climber includes a boatswains chair, and the mast climber, a different product, does not include the boatswains chair— is that the key difference?

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Markhunter1097

What did Jean luc Heede use to climb and fix his mast multiple times in the southern ocean on his way to winning the Golden Globe race?

Sky hooks?

[masonc]

Originally Posted by Sailon1

Hello and thank you for your responses. So the top climber includes a boatswains chair, and the mast climber, a different product, does not include the boatswains chair— is that the key difference?

The ATN Mastclimber comes with a chair, but had an option for everything but the chair if you already have one. The ATN Topclimber was the previous model, now superceded. The chair is comfortable.

[Don C L]

fwiw, I have a bosun's chair but I don't use it. The climbing harness is more secure and more comfortable.

BTW, I grew up learning that the block and tackle a rigger uses being referred to as a "falls" but I don't hear that term used anymore and I can't find it in a dictionary. Anyone else ever used that term?

[masonc]

Originally Posted by Sailon1

Hello and thank you for your responses. So the top climber includes a boatswains chair, and the mast climber, a different product, does not include the boatswains chair— is that the key difference?

Here's one on Ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATN-Mast-Cl...4-5f2fd3d84999

[Quadrille in JB]

I am going to buy an ATN mastclimber. Any suggestions on the best place to purchase? I read that one pro uses his own dedicated line, tied to 2 halyards for safety. I’ve also read that the mastclimber ascenders tear up the halyards. Has anyone experienced this? I don’t want to destroy my existing low stretch halyards.
Would 3/8” Sampson XLX double braid with a polyester cover over a dyneema blend core be suitable for the ascender climbing line?
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

[roverhi]

The ascenders with the Mast Climber do not tear up the rope, period. The mountain climbing ascenders have sharp teeth to grip a water soaked frozen rope which is a requirement for mountain climbing certification. The 'teeth' on the moutanin climbing certified ascenders can tear up a rope if you aren't careful.

Any line will work but the less stretch the better. Use NE ropes T900 as my primary climbing halyard and it works great. Have used the Mast Climber ascenders on exotic cored line from 5/16" to 7'16" line and they've worked well.

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by Quadrille in JB

I am going to buy an ATN mastclimber. Any suggestions on the best place to purchase? I read that one pro uses his own dedicated line, tied to 2 halyards for safety. I’ve also read that the mastclimber ascenders tear up the halyards. Has anyone experienced this? I don’t want to destroy my existing low stretch halyards.
Would 3/8” Sampson XLX double braid with a polyester cover over a dyneema blend core be suitable for the ascender climbing line?
Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

I would not use a halyard as my climbing rope. I store my climbing rope out of the sun, visually inspect it carefully before climbing, don't use it for utility purposes... it's only for climbing.