Well, up the mast, anyway!

This has probably been covered to death, but I think I recall discussions in
this space before about improvements on the typical bosun chair to the
effect of good mountain climbing gear.

Looking at climbing harnesses on REI, a frequently mentioned retailer of
such stuff, the harnesses I see don't look the least bit like I'd have
expected.

Are there any here with experience in this sort of gear? What should we look
for for up-the-mast use (in place of the bosun chair, of which I have a fine
one, but this is supposed to be far superior in comfort and safety)?

Thanks.

L8R

Skip and Lydia, off to the boat on Friday to work during the holiday week

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
http://tinyurl.com/384p2 The vessel as Tehamana, as we bought her

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Skip Gundlach wrote:

Well, up the mast, anyway!

This has probably been covered to death, but I think I recall discussions in
this space before about improvements on the typical bosun chair to the
effect of good mountain climbing gear.

Looking at climbing harnesses on REI, a frequently mentioned retailer of
such stuff, the harnesses I see don't look the least bit like I'd have
expected.

Are there any here with experience in this sort of gear? What should we look
for for up-the-mast use (in place of the bosun chair, of which I have a fine
one, but this is supposed to be far superior in comfort and safety)?

Thanks.

L8R

Skip and Lydia, off to the boat on Friday to work during the holiday week

Skip,
Check out the ATN topclimber at http://www.atninc.com/topclimber.html
krj

Are you suggesting that as a harness, or a climbing method?

I think I'm aware of that - but I'm talking about something worn to allow
you sitting comfort while up, without the ability to upend yourself
accidentally, not something to ascend a wire-tight line.

Thanks.

L8R

Skip

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
http://tinyurl.com/384p2 The vessel as Tehamana, as we bought her

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
"krj" wrote in message
...
Skip Gundlach wrote:

Well, up the mast, anyway!

This has probably been covered to death, but I think I recall discussions
in this space before about improvements on the typical bosun chair to the
effect of good mountain climbing gear.

Looking at climbing harnesses on REI, a frequently mentioned retailer of
such stuff, the harnesses I see don't look the least bit like I'd have
expected.

Are there any here with experience in this sort of gear? What should we
look for for up-the-mast use (in place of the bosun chair, of which I
have a fine one, but this is supposed to be far superior in comfort and
safety)?

Thanks.

L8R

Skip and Lydia, off to the boat on Friday to work during the holiday week

Skip,
Check out the ATN topclimber at http://www.atninc.com/topclimber.html
krj

Skip Gundlach wrote:

Are you suggesting that as a harness, or a climbing method?

I think I'm aware of that - but I'm talking about something worn to allow
you sitting comfort while up, without the ability to upend yourself
accidentally, not something to ascend a wire-tight line.

Thanks.

L8R

Skip

Did you look at the web site? Play the video? It is a boson's chair to
sit in when you get up where you want to be. Stand in the stirups, push
the chair attachment up the rope, sit in the chair, push the stirups up,
stand up, push the chair up. Do that until you get to the point you
want to work. Sit in the chair to work unless you need to work over the
masthead, then stand in the stirups.
krj

"krj" wrote in message
...
Did you look at the web site? Play the video? It is a boson's chair to sit
in when you get up where you want to be. Stand in the stirups, push the
chair attachment up the rope, sit in the chair, push the stirups up, stand
up, push the chair up. Do that until you get to the point you want to
work. Sit in the chair to work unless you need to work over the masthead,
then stand in the stirups.
krj

I have, in the past.

I'm also aware of similar methods of ascent in climbing gear, very highly
recommeded by climbers who are also sailors. I've not yet decided how I
want to get up - but I was thinking in terms of what to wear when I got
there.

This is the sort of thing I had in mind:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...cat=REI_SEARCH

L8R

Skip

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
http://tinyurl.com/384p2 The vessel as Tehamana, as we bought her

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Skip Gundlach wrote:
"krj" wrote in message
...

Did you look at the web site? Play the video? It is a boson's chair to sit
in when you get up where you want to be. Stand in the stirups, push the
chair attachment up the rope, sit in the chair, push the stirups up, stand
up, push the chair up. Do that until you get to the point you want to
work. Sit in the chair to work unless you need to work over the masthead,
then stand in the stirups.
krj


I have, in the past.

I'm also aware of similar methods of ascent in climbing gear, very highly
recommeded by climbers who are also sailors. I've not yet decided how I
want to get up - but I was thinking in terms of what to wear when I got
there.

This is the sort of thing I had in mind:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...cat=REI_SEARCH

L8R

Skip

That is for canyoneering, very uncomfortable and sticky.

This is what I have (left over from climbing)

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...ory_rn=4500671

Skip Gundlach wrote:
I'm also aware of similar methods of ascent in climbing gear, very highly
recommeded by climbers who are also sailors. I've not yet decided how I
want to get up - but I was thinking in terms of what to wear when I got
there.

This is the sort of thing I had in mind:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...cat=REI_SEARCH

I use a modified sport climbing harness. It is the type
without any padding. Not comfy for more than about 10
minutes hanging in it. So I sewed in some padding to the
harness. Now it's good for 20-30 minutes before the
pressure in your thighs gets a bit much.

I think the one you have found is much better. The seat
looks very comfy and Petzl is a trusted name in climbing
harnesses.

I think Brion Toss' one is rather overpriced for a extra
padded climbing harness.

I love climbing harnesses compared to a old style plank
chair. You can't fall out of them and they attach lower
down your body, a great advantage when working at the
masthead so you can get to the TOP of the mast.

Next time i go up I will bring a few little slings and make
some prussik steps so I can stand at the masthead and
relieve the pressure on my thighs.

Evan Gatehouse

On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 13:14:53 -0500, "Skip Gundlach" skipgundlach at
gmail dotcom wrote:

Looking at climbing harnesses on REI, a frequently mentioned retailer of
such stuff, the harnesses I see don't look the least bit like I'd have
expected.

=================================

I used to have an REI harness in my inventory when I was actively
racing but have misplaced it somewhere. It was OK but not overly
comfortable, and it takes a little practice to get it on properly.

Climbing harnesses are very popular with the foredeck crew on good
sized racing boats because they can be worn all the time, and these
guys need to be able to scurry up the mast or out to the end of the
spinnaker pole on a moments notice. Other than that, the only other
advantage in my opinion is light weight and compact size. And oh yes,
they do project a certain macho aura among the uninitiated female set.

I personally find a conventional canvas sling type seat or even an old
fashioned board seat to be more comfortable. I just bought a new
canvas sling seat from WM last week which has a tool pocket and safety
straps, all that I need, for about $80 if I recall.

I waited for a while to see if anyone would suggest this:

http://www.briontoss.com/wkstone/web...ntoss&Profile=[shopperublicprof/gotoPage.prof]


Skip Gundlach wrote:
Well, up the mast, anyway!

This has probably been covered to death, but I think I recall discussions in
this space before about improvements on the typical bosun chair to the
effect of good mountain climbing gear.

Looking at climbing harnesses on REI, a frequently mentioned retailer of
such stuff, the harnesses I see don't look the least bit like I'd have
expected.

Are there any here with experience in this sort of gear? What should we look
for for up-the-mast use (in place of the bosun chair, of which I have a fine
one, but this is supposed to be far superior in comfort and safety)?

Thanks.

L8R

Skip and Lydia, off to the boat on Friday to work during the holiday week

Skip Gundlach wrote:
Well, up the mast, anyway!

This has probably been covered to death, but I think I recall discussions in
this space before about improvements on the typical bosun chair to the
effect of good mountain climbing gear.

Looking at climbing harnesses on REI, a frequently mentioned retailer of
such stuff, the harnesses I see don't look the least bit like I'd have
expected.

Are there any here with experience in this sort of gear? What should we look
for for up-the-mast use (in place of the bosun chair, of which I have a fine
one, but this is supposed to be far superior in comfort and safety)?

Thanks.

L8R

Skip and Lydia, off to the boat on Friday to work during the holiday week

They'll all do the trick. Just get a comfortable one, preferably one
size fits all unless you are the only one that goes up your mast.

They aren't as comfortable as a bosuns chair but they sure are handy and
can be a spare safety harness too.