Specifications

WPOperatingManual Page - 10 - Revised: August 12, 2009
8. Top Climber
The Top Climber is used to climb the mast or the forestay or backstay for working aloft. It is stowed in
Compartment 2 in the port aft cabin. The climber uses two rock climber's ascenders that compress the
line to which they are attached. Consequently it is not good to attach them directly to a halyard as they
can cause damage to the line's fibers. An 80 ft. long line is provided to be used for the climb. This line
is tied to the shackle for the halyard that will be used. Be sure that the line is tied through a closed
thimble and do not rely on the quick release shackle if you use the spare genoa halyard or the
spinnaker halyard. Use a bunt line hitch or a bowline with a locking hitch to secure the line to the
halyard. Using the halyard, pull the line to within about 1 ft. of the top of the mast then secure the line
at the bottom by taking it through one of the blocks at the bottom of the mast and then to a cleat on the
mast. Once the bottom is secured, the halyard should be tightened using a halyard winch. The tighter
the line, the easier it is to use the Top Climber. If the line can not be made sufficiently tight for easy
climbing, the halyard shackle may be against the block at the top of the mast. If so, release the halyard
and take up about 6 inches on the line at the bottom then retighten the halyard. Once the tension on the
climbing line is satisfactory you should lock the halyard clutch and tie the bitter end off to a cleat.
To use the climber you sit on the seat with you feet in the bottom loops and raise the lower ascender.
Then stand up in the loops and raise the top ascender. Repeat these steps until you have climbed to the
desired height. If a second person is available you should use a second halyard secured to the Top
Climber with the second person belaying you with this halyard as you climb and descend.
To descend you stand in the loops and lower the top ascender about 10 inches. Then sit on the seat,
lean back and lower the lower ascender about the same amount. Repeat these steps until you have
descended completely. Sometimes the lower ascender is lowered too much and, when you stand to
lower the seat you can not take the pressure off of the upper ascender. When this happens, simply sit
back down and raise the lower ascender slightly. After a few cycles you will have a feel for the amount
you should lower each ascender for each step.
I attach the tool bag to the bottom of the seat while climbing but when I reach the working height I
usually reattach the tool bag to the lifting ring at the top of the climber as I find it easier to reach the
tools.