Dura Mater's skipper needs ascender

[Philpott]

I borrowed Bobby the J's ascender and had such a good time! Not really, but I should have one. The underside of DM's spreaders are grubby and eventually I will lose a halyard again. Plus it's a good idea to get over this fear of heights and check out the upper cotter pins etc. Does anyone have one I can buy?

 

[BobJ]

I have an upper cotter pin you can buy. But it's ... up there.

Oh, and ascenders are cheap. It's descenders that cost the big bucks (due to a stronger correlation between velocity and product liability).
.

 

[Philpott]

Never mind! I just found one on ebay. How long should the 1/2" extra line be? What is it called, again?

 

[BobJ]

I call it the "static line" since hopefully it doesn't move.

It needs to be long enough to be tied to the main halyard at its shackle end and hoisted to the masthead, with the bottom end tied to the deck.

 

[The Smokester]

As an olde mountaineer, I just wouldn't buy any climbing equipment of unknown provenence. Recommend going to REI and buying new. Newer ones than what I own (30+ yo) have evolved and are better, safer.

What really are my credentials? Note the above spelling of "olde."

Here is a link to a review of solo mast-climbing methods:

http://l-36.com/unassisted_mast_climbing.php

All methods have about the same $500 equipment cost.

 

[Philpott]

I call it the "static line" since hopefully it doesn't move.

It needs to be long enough to be tied to the main halyard at its shackle end and hoisted to the masthead, with the bottom end tied to the deck.

So, at least 2x the length of the mast? How long is your static line? That worked well when I borrowed it.

 

[BobJ]

Not 2x - I'd make it the length of the backstay plus some extra for the knots.