Spinlocks Mast-Pro Harness for going up the mast?

[T37Chef]

Since I will be needing to go up the stick soon to install some new masthead "goodies" , and I returned my West marine bosun chair due to the recall I need to purchase a new something and saw the this new harness from Spinlock...so does anyone have any fist hand comments to share about the harness or article linked below? Also wondering if it would be a good substitute for a traditional harness? (Dual purpose item)

Spinlock Mast-Pro Harness review

Welcome to the Spinlock Website

[sailingdog]

T37Chef—

You could get that harness, or you could spend about a fifth the money and get a regular rock climbing harness at REI or EMS or something like that... The Spinlock Mast Pro harness is made by Petzl, who makes regular rock climbing gear. You can buy a regular rock climbing harness that does pretty much everything the MastPro does for a lot less money.

I wouldn't recommend using the Mast-Pro or any mast-climbing harness for a sailing safety harness for one major reason. Climbing harnesses attach fairly low on the body, below the center of gravity, unless you get one of the full-body harnesses. That means that you're likely to get dragged in the water face down by it...since it is below the center of gravity on your body...

Safety harnesses for sailing tethers are upper body harnesses and need to go around the upper torso above the sternum. This is why many of the PFDs with integrated harnesses, like the Mustangs and their WM cousins are not for people shorter than 5' 8". While their literature doesn't say this, the fine print on the PFDs instructions CLEARLY DO.

If the harness extends below the base of the sternum, the harness is on the floating ribs, rather than the ones attached to the sternum, and if you fall overboard—the forces transmitted by you falling from the jackline to the tether to the harness can break the floating ribs and cause serious internal bleeding that can possibly kill you.

Just some food for thought....

BTW, if you want a PFD with a good safety harness and are relatively short, the Spinlock Deckware Pro and Deckvest seem to be the best choices... I use a Deckware Pro for that reason. However, neither is USCG approved.

[GoslingNY]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

T37Chef—

You could get that harness, or you could spend about a fifth the money and get a regular rock climbing harness at REI or EMS or something like that... The Spinlock Mast Pro harness is made by Petzl, who makes regular rock climbing gear. You can buy a regular rock climbing harness that does pretty much everything the MastPro does for a lot less money.

I wouldn't recommend using the Mast-Pro or any mast-climbing harness for a sailing safety harness for one major reason. Climbing harnesses attach fairly low on the body, below the center of gravity, unless you get one of the full-body harnesses. That means that you're likely to get dragged in the water face down by it...since it is below the center of gravity on your body...

Safety harnesses for sailing tethers are upper body harnesses and need to go around the upper torso above the sternum. This is why many of the PFDs with integrated harnesses, like the Mustangs and their WM cousins are not for people shorter than 5' 8". While their literature doesn't say this, the fine print on the PFDs instructions CLEARLY DO.

If the harness extends below the base of the sternum, the harness is on the floating ribs, rather than the ones attached to the sternum, and if you fall overboard—the forces transmitted by you falling from the jackline to the tether to the harness can break the floating ribs and cause serious internal bleeding that can possibly kill you.

Just some food for thought....

BTW, if you want a PFD with a good safety harness and are relatively short, the Spinlock Deckware Pro and Deckvest seem to be the best choices... I use a Deckware Pro for that reason. However, neither is USCG approved.

I use a petzl climbing harness to go aloft. Very comfortable and secure. I also have the Spinlock Deckmate and love it. Very comfortable and with lots of goodies like the strobe and spray hood. If you're ever in a situation where its necessary, you'll be happy that you invested the $300.

Cheers,
MikeR
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[T37Chef]

Thanks Dog, just the kinda insight I was looking for. I thought the attachment point was a bit low for a sailing harness, thanks for the clarification. Sounds like some good marketing on the part of Spinlock and Petzl

[sailingdog]

The one thing I've noticed on the Spinlock Mast-pro harness is that the thigh straps are a bit wider, which makes them a bit more comfortable... but given the price difference...they just ain't that comfortable.

Glad to help T37Chef.

[rikhall]

Ahoy

The Spinlock looks pretty neat.

I have used a Black Diamond Momentum SA Harness Product Number: 5015-541 climbing harness for rocks, ice and going up the mast. At $51.00 CAD ($41.48 US) I have been very happy with it.



I do not intend to attack Mount Everest with it. It had lots of places to attach things. I also wear a vest with many pockets.

If I know I am going up there for a long period (lunch??) I wear my foul weather harness and loop a line around the pole twice and back to a carabiner on the rings.

I get tired of paying three or four times the real price for something just because the word marine or yacht is on it.

Just my 2 cents (CAD) worth.

Rik

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

T37Chef—

You could get that harness, or you could spend about a fifth the money and get a regular rock climbing harness at REI or EMS or something like that... The Spinlock Mast Pro harness is made by Petzl, who makes regular rock climbing gear. You can buy a regular rock climbing harness that does pretty much everything the MastPro does for a lot less money.

I wouldn't recommend using the Mast-Pro or any mast-climbing harness for a sailing safety harness for one major reason. Climbing harnesses attach fairly low on the body, below the center of gravity, unless you get one of the full-body harnesses. That means that you're likely to get dragged in the water face down by it...since it is below the center of gravity on your body...

Safety harnesses for sailing tethers are upper body harnesses and need to go around the upper torso above the sternum. This is why many of the PFDs with integrated harnesses, like the Mustangs and their WM cousins are not for people shorter than 5' 8". While their literature doesn't say this, the fine print on the PFDs instructions CLEARLY DO.

If the harness extends below the base of the sternum, the harness is on the floating ribs, rather than the ones attached to the sternum, and if you fall overboard—the forces transmitted by you falling from the jackline to the tether to the harness can break the floating ribs and cause serious internal bleeding that can possibly kill you.

Just some food for thought....

BTW, if you want a PFD with a good safety harness and are relatively short, the Spinlock Deckware Pro and Deckvest seem to be the best choices... I use a Deckware Pro for that reason. However, neither is USCG approved.

Back in the old days rock climbers would use chest harness - this was WAY back. A good number died from asphyxiation when the harness was too low; the ribs could not expand. You don't want to get dragged by a low fitting harness - you can't breath.

[jrd22]

The "big wall" climbing harnesses are very similar to the Spinlock, they are designed to be comfortable for long periods hanging in them. They have the wider leg straps, etc. These cost more than the normal climbing harness, but less than the Spinlock. REI has a good assortment.

[sailingdog]

Good point, but usually not as much a worry with sailing harnesses, since they're only under load when the excrement hits the impeller and you're overboard, which is why I don't mention it. The broken ribs usually make the fact that you can't breathe easily a less important issue.

Originally Posted by pdqaltair

Back in the old days rock climbers would use chest harness - this was WAY back. A good number died from asphyxiation when the harness was too low; the ribs could not expand. You don't want to get dragged by a low fitting harness - you can't breath.

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Good point, but usually not as much a worry with sailing harnesses, since they're only under load when the excrement hits the impeller and you're overboard, which is why I don't mention it. The broken ribs usually make the fact that you can't breathe easily a less important issue.

But the breathing problem can be trigger at less than body weight and often comes as a surprise. This has struck climbers and sailor alike. What can happen is that heavy clothing prevents the harness for sliding up into the armpits.

I also witnessed a teenager falling out of a climbing harness from ~ 100 feet up - it ended badly. I was ~ 50 feet from the impact zone. He did not follow the instructions and did not double the belt back. That experience made me a bit of a stickler for harness fit, particularly on children. Like shoes, a harness should be bought based upon fit, not fashion, price, or features.