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We have now manufactured more than 30,000 spinnaker sleeves, 12,000 Tackers, 8,000 Topclimbers and 1500 Gale Sails.

What Our Customers Are Saying:

From: Henry
To: Etienne Giroire
Subject: TopClimber
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001

Dear Etienne,

I am the customer from Boca that visited you at your factory June 15. Let me relate to you my results.

The first time I tried out the TopClimber I found it very awkward and difficult. I was constantly swinging around and hitting my back on the mast and stays. Also the strain was somehow much harder on the arms than on the legs. I was disappointed that I had spent money on something that would not work for me or that I was not strong enough to do it.

The next day the second try went much better. I climbed to the spreaders and felt that with more practice I probably could do it.

The third day was great -- went to the top. And now each time I find it gets easier. Several times I have climbed to the top just to enjoy the sunset view and the cool breeze.

It really is a great satisfaction now to feel I can check out the mast head parts -- sheaves and fasteners etc. I have already lubed the sheaves, replaced the spreader end boots, replaced the port Cap shroud that had broken strands, replaced my VHF antenna, fixed the anchor light and slid down both the head and backstays to check for broken strands.

The above deck area of my boat was the only part to which I didn't have access . Now I can reach everything.

Thanks again for a great tool. Another benefit is that the harness is quite comfortable -- no more problems with the straps cutting off circulation in the legs.

I had thought that since I am almost 70 my mast climbing days are over but you have restored my confidence and vigor. No problem at all!

-- Henry

TopClimber

Notice:
Some of the ATN Topclimbers do not have the "spacer strap". We have tried it with and without the spacer strap and the general feeling was that while looking OK, the spacer strap didn't add anything to the handling of the ATN Topclimber and that without it, it was simpler to rig and operate.

See the TopClimber VIDEO!

The ATN Topclimber is the only bosun chair that allows the operator to work ABOVE the mast head without leaving the chair.

See the article in the May 2003 issue of Sailing World by Emma Richard, one of the competitors of Around Alone, going aloft to repair her main halyard , at sea, for 4 hours with the ATN Topclimber, page 42-43.

Recommended in Practical Sailor magazine
Volume 27 #2, January 15, 2001 issue

How often did you think, "I should really check that masthead fitting, and the spreaders tips, and the halyards exits", but were stopped because of the lack of knowledgeable or willing help?

You could do it like Mr. Jim Clark, owner of the 156' cutter "Hyperion" who had a mechanical ascending crow's nest fitted onto the 199' mast, but if you are a little lite on budget or mechanical help, the best way to solve that problem is the "TOPCLIMBER".

The "TOPCLIMBER" will allow you to get up your mast safely, quickly , using your leg muscles, without any outside help, even when the boat heels.

About TopClimber

The "TOPCLIMBER" is simple to use, its set up time is minimal, and its rugged and simple construction will ensure years of use, allowing you to maintain and check aloft all the standing rigging of your sailboat.

The "TOPCLIMBER" is a great system as it uses the leg muscles to climb, allowing you to reach the mast head not exhausted by the climb, and since it rides onto a static line, taut between the deck and the mast head, it prevents you from swaying away from the mast, helplessly, even if the boat heels over.

The "TOPCLIMBER" consists of 2 parts, a bos'n's chair with back rest and one-way jammer, and leg straps, with loops for the feet, with one-way jammer.

Operation of the "TOPCLIMBER" is done by alternatively standing up on the leg straps, which allows you to slide up the one-way jammer of the bos'n's chair, then sitting onto the bos'n's chair, which allows you to slide up the one-way jammer of the leg strap, then standing up on the leg straps. To descend the mast, procedure is reversed.

* photographs by Michel de la Sabliere

Installation Notes

The ATN Topclimber rides a 7/16" to 1/2" low stretch line (Static Line), you may be able to use your spinnaker halyard, but even if your spinnaker halyard happens to be of that dimension, since the ascenders of the ATN Topclimber are the kind that you feed the line through (so the line cannot accidently escape) you probably won't be able to use it because of the spliced snap shakle at the end of the halyard.

Our recommendations:

The best thing to do is to purchase a piece of line dedicated for the ATN Topclimber, longer than the mast is tall, + 10' to reach a winch.
The best thing to do with the top end of the static line is to bowline it through the spliced eye of the halyard: bypass the snapshakle , not only for safety reasons, but also to gain a couple of inches where you'll need it most, at the masthead.
The best thing to do at the deck end of the static line is to feed it through a snatch block, at a stanchion base on the rail for example , and then onto a winch: you'll find that the static line is best tight and stiff, and that it is better to be at an angle going up, away from the mast, which explains why it is better to fasten the snatchblock away from the mast step...

Pricing

Price of the "TOPCLIMBER" is $420.00

Static Line to be used with the TopClimber: We can supply the static line at $1.25/foot of low stretch 1/2" double braid.