4:1 mast climber
 

As we age we find we need a little more help around the boat. We currently have a 3:1 climbing system with Brian's harness. Our climbing system uses single hexaratchet blocks (one with becket) and a climber's ascender with 1/2" line. To heft our aging bones we want to change to a 4:1 mast climber.. Do any of you have a 4:1 or can you recommend blocks and line to make a 4:1 system?

s/v ExTerra IF38C

Power
 

Hello,
You can get ratcheting fiddle blocks, and one of those, combined with your current Sw/B, would give you 4:1. But as someone who will be turning 65 in, um, three days, I would like to suggest that you can slow down strength loss, and even increase strength, even in your dotage. All it takes is some brief, regular gym time, and persistence.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Thank you Brion. Would the ratcheting fiddle block go in place of one of the others or in line/tandem? Trying to picture this. We would also need new line. We do work a bit on our strength and hope to 'sail' into our mid 60's in decent health so can understand where you are coming from about strength exercises. I think my husband has fewer issues than I do in that regard.

Aloft
 

Hi again,
Put the fiddle aloft, the single-with-becket on your harness. I think you will be pleased at the difference this makes. And I hope that, regardless of purchase, you have a set of mast steps about 4.5' from the top of the mast, to stand on when you get up there.
Note that, with the decreased load on your hands, it is often possible to reduce rope diameter, and still have a comfortable grip. Also note that not coiling the line becomes more important when you add purchase, as twisted blocks will undo any gained advantage.
And good on you for keeping at it!
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Hi Brion and Thanks Again for your replies. This makes more sense now. We do try to keep our lines straight so the reminder on that is appreciated. We did, when we had the mast down last time, add steps at the top of the mast. If we time up in Port Townsend this summer we may stop by.

Pam and Carl
s/v ExTerra Islander 38C

I have been looking for the ratcheting fiddle block and there seem to be quite a variety of them. Is there a specific one or size you recommend?

Just an aside on a different approach that uses less line and has less tangle. Essentially a single block at the top and a block down by the deck held in place by a bit of bungee cord. Hoist to your harness and fall down, through that lower block, and up between your legs to your harness just not slack. Put two ascenders on the fall with suitable leg loops. And up you go. Some people like both legs on one ascender and the other to hold while you raise it, allowing the strength of both legs in the pull up. I like them one per leg and I make them a bit longer than most folk so that my body is fairly straight going up, not bending my knees much. Whatever is comfortable. As you go up, the slack is taken up below you. You still want a safety around the mast that will bind and stop you if something breaks and to keep you near the mast if conditions are boisterous.

I find that the push down with my legs, which also unloads my weight on the hoist, makes the effort actually easier than climbing a ladder.

G'luck

Thank you Ian. Definitely a different approach.

Thought I'd jump in here and say that I've tried out Ian's method of going aloft, and it works very well. A bit slow, but very safe and controlled.
-Jim

We have played with this a bit now and realize that our current 1/2" regatta rope is causing drag on our aloft fiddle. We don't have a shop close by that has 7/16" to play around with so we are wondering what diameter smaller than 1/2" has worked well for people. We like the feel of the regatta polyester but also wonder if others on this site use a different type of line. Looking forward to replies. Thanks.

3/8
 

I usually go aloft on a single strand of 3/8" Sta-set (double braid) with jumars. I find 3/8 to be fat enough to feel comfy while being the skinniest I can easily grip and pull on. While I love regatta braid, and use it for almost everything on my boat, I find that it fattens up with age, so that my 7/16ths lines are fatter than new 1/2" sta-set.

Ben

Thanks Ben. That is probably what we are experiencing with our 1/2" regatta. It is quite "fluffy" now. We will run some 3/8" stayset through and see what we get. I think our ascender will grab on something like that pretty well.