Ratchet Blocks for going aloft

[seawolf]

Hello all,
I used the 2:1 set up that Brion shows in his going aloft video.
I now want to make a 3:1 to make it easier. I had installed two folding mast steps a ways down from the mast head so a loss of height at top is not a problem.

1 My question regarding ratchet blocks:
I have a Harken 1549 single now and want to add a single with a becket for the top.
I notice the ratchet blocks have a white or black switch on them.

Do we need to use blocks with different colors for blocks that oppose each other so the ratcheting action is in the same direction?
I am just looking at a catalog so can not try them manually.

2 I find the carabiner hitch with a long heavy fall a bit cumbersome to secure on the spring gated carabiner. Especially when the gated carabiner is attached to another carabiner on the sit harness to offer the proper angle, but swivels around a bit.
I have used this system a lot and it works fine, but since I am aloft on my own more than I wish, any other method to allow easy use and safe rappel down to earth would be appreciated.
Maybe with the second ratchet on a 3:1, I will feel more secure while putting in the carabiner hitch.

Thanks for the help and happy holidays to all.
Bob

[allene]

I use a 3:1 with a single ratchet block on the low end. Works great. I release the ratchet some times to let myself down as it is a little jerky going down with the ratchet engaged. I have heard of very light people not being able to get down at all with the ratchet engaged. Personally, I would not want a ratchet block where I could not release it. I have heard of people using two ratchet blocks but the upper one is of the auto type, not the type with the little arm to release it.

Allen

[Stumble]

I haven't seen the video, so take this for what its worth. But I have seen a number of Marine specific self assenders and to be honest have never really felt they were very good. They all seem to me to rely too much on using arm strength and questionable practices to secure the line off.

Years ago I borrowed a self assender rig from a friend who was a rock climber, and have never looked back. These rigs are simple, use leg muscles rather than arm, and do not require storing an extremely long line to climb the mast. In my experience they are much better designed than Marine systems, and to be honest I feel like if a system is designed by people to use every day (rock climbers) is good for them, it is probably better thought out than systems used by sailors who use them infrequently if at all.

Any of these systems to me take less effort to operate, and are recommended (At least by Black Diamond) for this purpose.

Take a look at:
http://gripped.com/2009/07/sections/rack/ascenders/

[Mark Johnson]

I have hoisted myself exclusively useing a 3 to 1 block set up for 25 years, with no problems. My hoisting rig is made up of two Harken ratchet blocks (with the little switches), and Regatta braid for the good grip in the sheaves & my hands. I do engage both ratchets and therefore "sometimes" have to give the last leg of my hoisting line a little shake when I want to go down a bit, (or I just hang there). When I get where I need to be, I feed a folded 2' section of the hoisting line through a ring on my harness, and do a single half hitch. This acts as a safety, although there is "0" load on the knot, so it doesn't tighten up. When ready to come ALL the way down, I disengauge the lower ratchet block, and letting the line gently slide through my hands, I'm down in a few seconds. The system works great!

[seawolf]

Thanks for the response.
All helpful information.
Stumble, I like the idea of using leg muscles and will look more deeply into an ascender set up.

Mark,
A question regarding your two ratchet blocks. You mentioned disengaging the lower ratchet to come down. Do you leave the upper engaged to give you a little control coming down?
On a 2:1 set up, the fall going through the carabiner hooked to the harness with a carabiner hitch gives control coming down with the ratchet block aloft disengaged before coming down.
Bob

[Mark Johnson]

Bob, I leave the upper ratchet block engaged at all times. I CAN come down with both engaged, but slowly. It will even stop at times, then I would give the leg of the line in my hands a little shake. So for coming down from say, the upper to the lower spreaders, I leave both engaged. To come from the top to the bottom quickly, I disengage the bottom one only. Then there is no more than 5 or 10 lbs of pull on the line in my hands as I come down. It is so minimal that I can control the rate of decent with very little hand pressure and I don't get "rope burn". I do of coarse stay mentally ready and keep a good grip, in the possability that the upper (only engaged) ratchet should let go. (hasn't happened in hundreds of assents, but...) With both blocks in the ratchet possition, one acts as a safety for the other. If I used a slicker rope than Regatta, perhaps StaSet, I think both blocks could always be left in the ratchet possition, even comeing down. This would I suppose be safer, as then BOTH blocks would have to fail... Nevertheless, I prefer the 1/2" Regalla braid as it doesn't get hockles, and has a good hand. The only cost is that I do have to disengage the lower block for a "fast" decent.

The beauty of this system is this... I used to climb ropes hand over hand for fun, but now I'm 56 and avoid such shenanigans. With this system I'm only lifting 1/3rd of my weight, and each pull is with both arms "working together". Inbetween pulls, or every 5th pull, one can rest if needed, as there is now only about 1/2 a pound of pull on the line in your hands! The ratchets & friction hold you there... untill the next pull.

The problem with leg assenders (or mast steps), is that then both your arms and legs are occupied. I use my legs to fend off from swinging into the bimini, then the mast, (if she's rockin), get past the radar, etc. I use my legs a lot to possition myself.

So I have my legs free and one of my hands. Doing an inspection I start at the top and come down in a controled way, with one hand providing control only & "0" effort. Helps to focus on the job at hand.

regards, Mark