Mast Climbing on the Cheap

[CFS Klopas]

I wanted to figure out a way to get up my 34' mast by myself, but didn't want to drop $400 on an ATN Mastclimber. So the challenge was to figure out how to do it safely, for under $100, with equipment that would be useful for other purposes.

Other than basic sailing equipment I already had, I bought a 50', 1-1/2" manila climbing rope and a full body climbing harness that I can use later with jacklines. The harness has two 6' tethers leading to the top of my back. I would prusik one tether to the jib halyard and lead the snap hook back to the harness. The other tether would go around the mast to prevent horizontal movement and free up my hands at the top. I can tie knots in the climbing rope to stand on. Physically, I'm pretty young but overweight.

One thing I haven't worked out is how to secure the climbing rope to the main halyard. I tried to tie a sheet bend with the manila rope and a shoelace, the results weren't satisfactory. Most knots aren't designed to work with a huge size difference. I also don't know whether I should try to assemble some kind of standing platform for the top knot.