In anticipation of some forthcoming single-handed sailing, as well because it's always been a problem reaching uppermost fittings, which are more often than not just out of reach from a bosun chair, I decided to invest in a TopClimber and chose today to try it out. Firstly, our 12mm halyards are too big to run through the two jammers so I rigged-up the 10mm line needed. For my first attempt I also used our 2nd halyard as a safety line and enlisted Sues help to take up the slack. It took me about 20 mins 'climbing' to ascend 1/3rd up the mast (to the radar radome level) and I guess 10 mins to descend back to deck level. That was enough for my first attempt before lunch. Knackered I was too!
After lunch I rested then Sue & I had just short of 2 hours tennis with Chris & John (s/y Sapphire) following which I prepared another go 'up the mast'. This time I decided 'without safety line' and I found ascending as far as our radar radome much easier than before. I even took some electrical ties & a pair of pliers to re-fix the speaker cable (another job ticked-off in the process). Up and back down took about 20 minutes and thankfully, significantly less effort than the first time. Maybe another two or three excursions up the mast will help me tune my technique before needing me to visit the top of the mast, in earnest? If anyone thinks using a TopClimber is a 'piece of cake' think again!
Now here's a thing. Having just looked on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij-_ZEPsI6Y&feature=related my recent purchase (TopeClimber) is now replaced by the new 'MastClimber' although I don't think the change will alter the physical effort & technique required! Nonligitimusincarburundum.
