Mast Ladders

primowon · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2003

Has anyone any experience with these? Which are preferred and safest? Where can I find used ones? What is a reasonable price? I''m interested in the ones that can be attached to the main halyard.

Thanks

joub · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2003

When you specify a "mast ladder" are you excluding other ways to ascend the mast?

The ATN top climber ( think that is the name) is a great way to get up the mast by yourself. I purchased a couple of ascenders from a mountain climbing supply house. Sewed up a harness for my feet, and utilized my existing bosn''s chair to make a copy of the ATN device. It works great! Almost makes climbing the mast fun! Total cost was around $125.

Fairwinds,

Jim

primowon · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2003

Thanks for your response. Do you have an address for the mountain climbing supply house? Also I did not understand the part about sewing up a harness for your feet? This sounds like a great alternative way to climb the mast. Again, appreciate the imput.

Bern

joub1 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2003

Take a look at http://www.riggingonly.com/atn_top_climber.htm

If you aren''t familiar with the ATN top climber this web page will show you one!

The top climber sells for $285, which may be a little steep for some, but is not an unreasonable price. I elected to make my own as I already had the bosn''s chair and a heavy duty sewing machine.

The Ascenders, which are the heart of the system,are widely available from most mountain climbing equipment dealers. Do a web search for Mountain climbing equipment and I''m sure you will find several sources.

Fairwinds,

Jim

Thermal · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2003

I got some ascenders and a climbing harness to go up my mast a few times and it worked fine, except that I was tied to a dock in a marina. Dangling 50'' over my deck, I thought this wouldn''t be so cool if I was tied to a mooring, or anchored somewhere, so I bought 19 mast steps - about the same price as one of those Top-Climber things. If you still want go with the ascenders, I got ones made by Petzl from REI (rei.com). You can also get a harness and ready made webbing loops (mine were 48") there. You''ll also need at least a couple of carabiners.

928frenzy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2003

I bought the ATN Top Climber at the last Annapolis Boat Show (from the designer). It works very well and can be used on any 1/2" line. Moreover, I can swing from one speader to another and still be quite secure. (You can''t do that with mast steps.)

I thought about mast steps, but decided they would add too much weight aloft. However, I did install two of them 18" from the deck to help us install or remove the main-halyard shackle from the sail-clew.

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

joub · #7 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003

I don''t believe climbing the mast with ascenders would be any different at anchor or at a dock. If you keep the ascending line taut there is little room to "dangle about". In fact, if I want to work on my spreaders, I have to leave a little slack in the line to allow me to swing far enough away from the mast to get out to the spreader tip.

Jim