personal gear A c l o s e r L o o k

Brian Toss’s Cruiser’s Harness gets a preliminary check during Phase 3 of the evaluation aboard a Precision 28.

How We Tested The first step of the evaluation was to compare construction quality, materi- Ups and als, and methods. For this, we enlisted the help of the experts at Knighton , a sailmaking and service in Downs Sarasota, Fla., owned by Sarasota sailor Gregg Knighton. Based on the stitching and material inspections by the staff at of Bosun Knighton, we ranked chairs accord- ing to overall construction quality. For Chairs field testing, a tester sat in each chair for 15 minutes while aloft and simulating a common repair task using a screw- driver and drill. Finalists were also field tested aboard the 28-foot Precision, Just Karma, which conveniently needed a new windvane at the top. The rat- ings in the table on page 11 reflect the combined results of all tests. The column labeled“C omfort” on the table is key because it includes not only the cushiness factor, but the feeling of se- curity it gave testers as they watched the world below grow smaller. If a bosun’s chair is well designed, with good straps and support, it should be impossible or nearly so to slip, tip, or fall out. It should allow you to be hoisted as near as possible to the top of the mast. A provision for a Toss’s pricey harness rules the roost, but Harken, downhaul, which can be secured by an Topclimber, and Spinlock also rise to the occasion. assistant below to prevent the chair from swinging, or to run up spare parts, is also he world is divided into two of the major players and presents a tell- desirable. Hunting for tools, parts, nuts, Ttypes of sailors: Those who have ing cross-section of the three major and bolts can be tricky aloft, so the tool no qualms scrambling up the design types: climbing harness, the pockets (if any) and their placement were to replace a bad anchor light, and the conventional open “swing” seat, and closely scrutinized. acrophobic among us who hoist an solid-back “diaper” type. While testing the chairs, it became all-around white LED in the rigging Included in this test were products clear that some tend to chafe, bind, and call it fixed. from ATN, a small but well-estab- and pinch in various tender places. We Updating a topic that was last fully lished company that launched in 1985; were glad to see that all the makers had examined in 1993, Practical Sailor Brion Toss, a renowned rigger based in placed the well below eye level recently took a look at nine different Washington; Black Diamond, an out- so it did not interfere with our work, a bosun chairs and bosun chair alter- doors sports company that caters to problem noted in previous tests. natives to determine which ones are skiers and climbers; Harken, the well- It is important to keep in mind that worth recommending to the sailor known maker of sailing hardware and even the best chair won’t eliminate facing a repair project high above the apparel; Plastimo, a French maker of the risks of going aloft. Before making deck and which ones we’d drop into a wide range of yacht equipment; and any decision regarding which product the nearest dumpster. Although our Spinlock, a British company that spe- is best for you, we encourage you to comparison doesn’t encompass every cializes in deck hardware and personal read the tips on selecting and using a chair on the market, it includes most safety gear. bosun’s chair on page 12. And before

 June 2010 www.practical-sailor.com A c l o s e r L o o k

Comfortable and secure, the Brion Toss harness (above left) is based on a rescue harness design. The Harken chair (above center) had the largest seat platform and deepest cushion with side pockets. The Topclimber (at right) was the only device that allowed the user to ascend solo. you use your chair, be sure to the deck. The line, which must be pur- you may have to “stand” on the foot read the maker’s instructions chased separately, adds about $150 to the webbing, a potentially precarious for proper care and use. total price, making the ATN the second situation. most expensive product in our test. Using heavy-duty 1½-inch webbing ATN Topclimber The system uses two parts, each with and plenty of reinforced stitching, the An innovative adaptation of its own ascender: One supports the du- Topclimber is ruggedly constructed recreational climbing gear, rable fiber-reinforced plastic seat; the and has the basic features required for the ATN Topclimber stood other supports a pair of webbed stirrups working aloft. The crotchstrap, front out in our comparison of for the feet. Under load, the ascenders belt and buckle, and webbed back sup- unassisted climbing devic- grip the line just like a clutch. To port offer a better feeling of security es in the Aug. 15, 2005 is- go up, you put your weight on one than any of the tested chairs. sue. The Topclimber incor- ascender while sliding the other The package includes a stowage bag porates two familiar tools one up a few feet, alternating as with a snap so that it can be used by big-wall climb- you climb. The stand-sit process hooked to the Topclimber and serve as a ers—ascenders and aid- of climbing is less strenuous than toolbag while aloft. Laminated instruc- ers (web ladder)—and it looks, though it requires a fair tions fit into a clear sleeve on the side modifies them for use degree of fitness, flexibil- of the bag. One webbed loop on each in climbing a mast. ity, and coordination. side of the bosun chair will serve as an The device is familiar A video on the Top- attachment point for the toolbag, tool to attendees at ma- climber website shows lanyards, or a clip to accommodate a jor U.S. boat shows, a good demonstration gantline for shuttling tools aloft. A 316- where, like a tight- of the process. Be- grade stainless-steel clip on webbing at rope walker, Topclimber cause it permits solo the seat’s bottom keeps the chair close demonstrators usually attract ascents and still al- to the ascending line. a curious crowd. lows a rigid perch An experienced climber could com- The Topclimber is unique ATN for the derriere, bine conventional climbing ascenders, from the other devices tes- Topclimber many riggers like an aider (web ladder), and a climbing ters reviewed in that it is de- this device. Un- harness to build his own Topclimber at signed to climb a static pre- fortunately, to significant savings, but we would not stretched half-inch line run reach the top recommend this for novices. (For the from the top of the mast to of the mast, truly adventurous, a Prusik knot—or practical sailor June 2010  personal gear

of the most challenging rigging projects particularly vulnerable for male users. on the water, as well as on land, such as The Toss harness, with its wide belt and earthquake-proofing the 7-ton chan- oversized thigh supports, distributes delier in Washington State’s capitol body weight better than conventional dome. The author of The Complete climbing harnesses and, when snugged Rigger’s Apprentice, he is probably tight, was only slightly less comfortable the most familiar name in rigging than the testers’ favorite chair. Although among recreational sailors. it took some time to master the buckle Toss makes two bosun harnesses, adjustments, once the harness was fit- the regular bosun harness and the ted, testers felt far more secure in the cruiser’s. Both meet Occupational Toss harness than they did in any of the Safety and Health Administration conventional chairs. (OSHA) standards and are based on Feature-wise, the Toss harness is king Brion Toss a rescue harness designed by Ken of the crow’s nest. It has a built-in tether Cruiser’s Harness Koerwitz. (The basic design is simi- with a locking carabiner to go around lar to the CMC Rescue Harness from the mast to prevent swinging. The tether some variation—can be used in California Mountain Company, which can also be used to temporarily attach place of ascenders.) Anyone pon- Toss recommends in his video, and sells to a fixed point aloft so that a halyard dering the use of mountain climb- for just $150, less than half the price of can be sent down for tools, etc. A spare ing gear will want to watch for corrosion the Toss harnesses.) carabiner is provided for self belay. The of non-marine grade hardware. Toss’s cruiser’s harness uses all stain- harness has three completely indepen- Testers noted that the Topclimber less-steel hardware, while the regular dent halyard attachment points; no took longer to fit and rig than the other harness uses a high-grade cast alloy. In other product in our test had more than chairs in this group. A newer design, either case, you’re getting the mother of one. There are also two loops for hang- which PS plans to test and report on as all bosun harnesses. It has more extras ing gear, and a large multi-pocket soon as it becomes available, features a than the average sailor needs, but the pouch—Toss’s rigger’s tool pouch—for different type of ascender that can be added features—such as multiple loops cotter pins, small tools, tape, and other clamped to the static rope, no threading for tools and lanyard and redundant items. The chair also comes with Toss’s required. This should expedite rigging safety measures—reflect the insight of informative DVD, “Going Aloft.” significantly. The ascenders may also be a conscientious and experienced rigger. The harness is available in two sizes, bought separately. These and other details will undoubt- for adults with 24- to 30-inch waists, Bottom line: Earning a PS Recom- edly be appreciated over the life of the and those with 28- to 42-inch waists. mended rating, this ruggedly construct- harness and during big projects. Because it is a true climbing harness, ed chair/ascender is the only one in the Like the ATN, the Toss harnesses an experienced climber could combine comparison that is set up for going aloft convert a climbing product—the res- it with a static line, ascenders, and aiders alone. Drawbacks are the high price and cue harness, in this case—for sailors. to use it like the Topclimber, but it works the long distance between the halyard Because it is a harness, not a chair, it can just fine as a conventional halyard-sup- shackle and chair. be worn standing on deck or on mast- ported chair. climbing steps. A properly adjusted Bottom line: The PS Best Choice. Brion Toss Bosun Harness climbing harness won’t allow the wearer A well-engineered design, a variety of When you’re a master rigger who has to slip out, even when he is inverted. useful extras, and rugged construction spent a good share of your working Finally, a harness brings the wearer’s put Toss’s bosun harnesses in a class all life above the spreaders, you have hips right up to the top sheave, their own. If you are cruising full time plenty of time to think about what whereas a bosun’s chair typically and don’t have a dry place to keep your you’d like in your perfect bosun stops several inches lower. harness, then it would be worth pay- chair. Brion Toss is a Climbing harness- ing extra for the cruising harness and rigger based in Port Harken es need to be worn the stainless hardware. Otherwise, the Townsend, Wash., snug, and the web- original version should provide years of who has built a loy- bing and hardware trouble-free service. al following among tend to pinch. sailors through his The “twig and Harken Bosun Chair seminars, instruc- berries” (a eu- For many years now, Harken has been tional videos, and phemism quietly expanding its reach outside of unique rigging offered by the arena of hardware that tools. He has been one male originally built its brand. The Harken involved in some tester) are apparel division, in particular, has

10 June 2010 www.practical-sailor.com personal gear

value guide mast-climbing devices plastimo ATN Black Brion Toss Harken $ Spinlock topclimber Diamond Pro / Cruiser Standard Comfort Pro Price $300 $70 $400 / $485 $162 $115 $124 $214 $175 Warranty 3 months 1 year 2 years 2 years 1 year 2 years 2 lbs., Weight 5 lbs., 8 oz. 13 oz. 4 lbs. ,12 oz. 5 lbs., 4 oz. 2 lbs. 3 lbs., 2 oz. 3 lbs., 9 oz. 1 lb., 10 oz. Hoisting 2 stainless-steel, Stainless-steel Fastener NA None one sewn tether triangle Stainless-steel triangle Nylon Support 1½ in. ballistic ¾ in. 1½ in. 1½ in. Webbing webbing nylon 1¾ in. nylon polyester NA polyester 2 in. nylon ¾ in. nylon Ballistic nylon/ Nylon, Body Material 1½ in. ballistic Single-ply closed-cell Ballistic nylon 2-ply Coated Coated Cordura, webbing nylon foam polyester polyester PVC neoprene 3/8 in. ply, ½ in. 3/8 in. closed 5/8 in. Seat Stiffener ½ in. FRP closed-cell cell foam* plywood, ½ in. ply NA foam 1 in. foam Construction Very good Fair Excellent Very good Fair Fair Good Very good Comfort Fair Good Very good Very good Fair Fair Fair Good Hardware Good Fair Excellent Good Fair Fair Fair Good Toolbag/ Pockets Good Poor Excellent Very good Poor Good Good Poor eXTRAS Excellent Fair Excellent Good Poor Fair Fair Fair Best Bosun’s chair Climber’s The best traditional Modified plus climbing chair; chair/harnesses chair. Plenty Poorly designed belts and buckles on climber’s Comments clutches. New should be but expensive; of pouches, the Standard and Comfort. Pro model is harness, model now used with Cruiser features and lanyard better built but doesn’t match similarly more secure available. harness. stainless-steel attachment priced Harken. than a bosun hardware. points. chair. Best Choice Recommended $ Budget Buy been churning out some fairly good prod- vide the main support. One is doubled around ucts at competitive prices. One of the latest the halyard and doubled beneath the products to enter Harken’s broad lineup, the front of the chair; the other is doubled through bosun chair incorporates high-quality fabric the halyard shackles and around the back of and hardware, useful extras such as lanyard the chair. An adjustable backrest, crotchstrap, loops and tool pockets, and safety measures and an adjustable front belt with a buckle pro- like a crotchstrap and backrest. The 12-inch vide added security. Deep pockets with Vel- by 18-inch seat was the biggest of the ones cro closures on either side of the chair are big we looked at, possibly because this U.S-made enough to accommodate a 3/8-drive cordless product is targeted sharply at the land of big drill-driver. Black bottoms. The wide, well-padded seat was the most Diamond Though not nearly as rugged as the Toss comfortable of the bunch, but a large, rigid harness, Harken’s construction and features seat might pose a problem aloft as one tries to were a cut above all of the other chairs in our work between the rigging and the mast itself. comparison. Two U.S.-made stainless-steel Putting all your weight on the forward edge triangles attach to the halyard. Four stainless- of a wide chair could cause it to tip, but we steel D-rings and four loops for securing tool found the Harken chair to be stable. In our lanyards are on the outside of the chair. A D- view, the lack of maneuverability is a fair ring at the bottom of the chair can be used for trade-off for the added comfort. a downhaul or gantline. Two high-strength, This chair was one of the easiest polyester, seat-belt-type webbing straps pro- to hop into and start working, but practical sailor June 2010 11 t e c h t i p s p e r s o n a l G e a r

the large plastic clip-buckle that made on the mast. A pro’s Advice it easy to get into did not inspire as Bottom line: An experienced climber much confidence as the heavy-duty slide who relies on a harness system for going on Going Aloft buckles used in the Toss harness. Testers aloft could add this affordable chair to noted that the user could not remove the his arsenal for use during long projects, good investment for anyone plywood stiffener on the Harken chair but it should not be regarded as a stand- Awho plans to go aloft is Brion to inspect it, or to replace the foam with- alone bosun’s chair. Toss’s excellent video on the topic. out cutting the fabric. Available at his website, www. Bottom line: If you like the idea of Plastimo briontoss.com, the one-hour a conventional bosun’s chair Plastimo, a French company that has video covers the essential that’s easy to use at a mo- its products distributed in the U.S. by skills and procedures for ment’s notice, the Har- Navimo USA, produces three different going aloft safely. Here are ken is a very good choice. bosun’s chair, the Standard, Comfort few of tips Toss shares: It is our Recommended model, and Pro models. The Standard choice for a conventional is a very basic bosun’s chair made of • Harness and cloth- bosun’s chair. two-ply polyester with a stiffener at the ing: Although not as bottom, webbing supports, and a stain- comfortable as tradi- Black Diamond less-steel halyard triangle. Although it tional chairs, harness- Bosun Chair had a crotchstrap, front strap, and an es bring you closer to Designed for big wall climbers adjustable back strap, the minimum the top of the mast who spend extended periods on girth adjustment was about 60 inches, and are more secure. Wear hanging belays, the Black Dia- allowing plenty of room for a body to long paints and good shoes. mond’s bosun’s chair was a fish slip through. We’d not use this without out of water in our comparison. It lacked a separate harness and belay. Although • : Use two halyards; one pri- the extra attachment points for tools or it had tool pockets on the side, they mary, one safety. One should be an gantlines, and it provided only a narrow weren’t easily accessible aloft. Webbing external halyard on a ratchet backrest. It didn’t have a triangle or D- was already beginning to fray at the hal- leading from your harness back to ring for the halyard, only two stitched shackle on our test unit. you, so that you can have control over loops. There was no crotch strap. Plastimo’s Comfort and Pro models your own safety and ascent/descent. To be fair, the Black Dia- are what we call “diaper” mond chair was designed as a Plastimo Standard chairs. They have crotch- • Shackles and : Don’t rely place to plant your butt dur- straps and solid backs and, on snap shackles or self-tailing jaws ing prolonged hanging belays, not when fitted properly, have the ap- on winches. To attach the halyard to as a safety harness. Any climber pearance of a giant diaper—in this the harness, use locking screw-pin seated in the chair would also case a giant blue diaper. The differ- shackles or a buntline knot, which be wearing a climbing harness ences between the two models are brings you closer to the masthead on belay, and he’d count on in the materials and construc- sheave than a bowline. the harness, not the chair, to tion. Both come with a deep, check his fall. For this rea- dual-purpose stowage/tool- • Tools: Always bring vice grips and a son and others, we would bag similar to that used non-folding rigging knife aloft. Toss not recommend using by the Topclimber, and also brings a crescent wrench welded this chair by itself. Expe- both have side pockets to a marlin spike. Attach a lanyard to rienced climbers could for tools. The Comfort all tools. use it in conjunction uses coated polyester with climbing gear fabric, while the Pro • Going aloft at sea: To reduce swing- or an independently model is coated PVC. ing, use a carabiner to secure your har- belayed harness. Both have half-inch ply ness to a halyard run tightly Testers found the well-padded seat seats, but the Pro has heavier- from the masthead to deck. to be very comfortable, and the chair’s duty 2-inch wide webbing with more light weight and compact size would reinforced stitching. Although elastic • Mast steps: Steps are a good idea benefit small boaters. Its seven-ply loops in the tool pouch could be used at the mast bottom, for handling the marine grade plywood seat was easily for tool lanyards, there are no addition- main, and at the top of the mast, for re- removed for inspection. The indepen- al D-rings or loops like those found in lieving weight on the harness or chair dently adjustable sidestraps let the user the Harken chair. None of the Plastimo while working at the masthead. raise or lower the chair relative to its chairs are padded. hoisting point, helpful for getting high The slide buckle that adjusts the strap

12 June 2010 www.practical-sailor.com P e r s o n a l G e a r

The Mast Pro harness is one size Plastimo Pro fits all, but the minimum waist adjust- ment on the one we tested was about 28 inches. It can be used in conjunc- tion with Spinlock’s Deckvest inflatable PFD. According to Spinlock, attaching the halyard to both the Deckvest and the Mast Pro offers additional back support, although this was not tested. Comprised of two neoprene padded leg loops attached to a padded waist Plastimo Comfort band, the harness is easier to adjust than on the Comfort model slipped the Toss harness, but not as comfortable, and security. during testing, so we’d suggest as the thigh supports are significantly Another top vote-getter finding the adjustment that fits smaller. Two elastic bands help adjust the was the ATN Topclimber. and then stitching this strap in distance between the thigh straps and the The Topclimbermakes going place. Of all the Plastimo chairs, waistbelt. There are two small loops for aloft alone possible, but it also the Pro was the only model that hanging bags/gear, one velcro strap for requires more agility than some the testers liked, but its price was securing a bulky tool, and three elastic of the conventional bosun’s chairs or more than the Harken, a much straps for bags, extra line, or shackles. A harnesses. Gaining extra inches at the better product in our view. pocket in the waistband is designed to top of the mast also required a bit more Bottom line: If you’re enamored take Spinlock’s plastic tripping spike, for gymnastics than did either harness. with the diaper-style bosun’s chair, see if releasing snap shackles. The Harken bosun’s chair would be you can find a Pro model on sale. We see Though not ideal for long belays, our first pick for someone who puts no reason to opt for any of these chairs this harness is more comfortable than comfort as the highest priority. Testers over the Harken. it looks. It would be a good choice as felt very secure in this seat, and the a primary safety check for those going additional padding was appreciated. Spinlock Mast Pro aloft in a basic bosun’s chair. Though Multiple attachment points and deep Like the Brion Toss Cruising Bosun’s not as rugged or as comfortable as the pockets are a plus. Harness, the Spinlock Mast Pro is a ma- Toss harness, it could be used alone as a Finally, for the sailor looking for rine version of a big wall climbing har- bosun’s chair and is less expensive something more affordable than the ness. The original version was developed Bottom line: Compact and well Toss harness for emergency trips to the with Petzl, maker of climbing harnesses constructed, this harness could satisfy mast while at sea, the Spinlock harness and this latest generation retains many of cruisers’ offshore needs well. It is less fits the bill. the same features. Lean and light, the har- comfortable than a chair, but it offers Plastimo’s Pro has some potential, but ness is popular among sailors who want security that a chair cannot. it doesn’t compete with the Harken, at to feel secure if forced to go aloft at sea. about the same price. We hope that Plas- We did not test any dedicated climbing Conclusion timo goes back to the design board and harnesses, but several less-expensive har- None of the mast-climbing devices in addresses some of the issues we found nesses from major climbing equipment our test could be considered “comfort- in its other chairs. companies like Petzl and Black Diamond able” in the easy-chair sense of the word. closely resemble the Spinlock harness. Working aloft typically involves some Contacts awkward positions, and in all of these Spinlock Mast Pro chairs, we were using our abdominal aTN, 954/557-2133 muscles (or what’s left of them)to carry www.atninc.com out tasks aloft. None of the back sup- Brion Toss, 360/385-1080 ports were as high as we would have www.briontoss.com liked, although the Toss harnesses were Black Diamond, 801/278-5533 the best in that department. At the end www.blackdiamondequipment.com of our study, it became very clear which harken, 262/691-3320 ones the testers felt the safest in, as well www.harken.com as which were the most comfortable af- plastimo (NavimO), ter 15 minutes aloft. 941/360-1888 For the sailor who won’t settle for www.plastimousa.com anything but the best, the Toss harness- Spinlock, www.spinlockusa.com es scored nearly perfect 10s for comfort practical sailor June 2010 13