I completely agree with Ben's ideas regarding the use of rock-climbing gear/practices. I climbed for some time before sailing, and being used to climbing gear, the traditional bosun's chair and associated practices have always seemed pretty unsatisfactory to me. It sure is handy to have a helper grind you up the mast, but otherwise I've always regarded the halyard as a secondary line, trusting my safety to one or more fixed lines aloft.
I'll add that there are other less-complicated (no moving parts) alternatives to the Grigri, such as "Tubers", although the twist'n'tangle-inducing figure-eight belay plates ought to be avoided. I have no personal issues with using carabiners for attachment points for mast-climbing, provided such pieces of climbing equipment are used for soley that purpose, and closely inspected; this is second nature to many climbers, who frequently have no qualms about discarding any piece of gear that's been dropped more than 6 feet, no matter how it appears visually. Snap-shackles don't inspire my confidence, but burly climbing 'biners made to keep my life intact do.
I'd also like to mention the Prussik again; a simple "knot", easy to learn and remember, but hard to describe. I've always used one to back up any mechanical belay/lowering devices when working on a rockface.
|