The ATOM™ Harness Goes Sailing

Sailors are highly resourceful. When it comes to climbing the mast, many have relied on the traditional Bosun’s Chair for working at height. But what if there was a better tool for the job? This is the question posed by recent articles in sailing articles and by a local sailor who decided to try our ATOM Harness instead of more traditional options.

We’re glad to see the ATOM Harness being used by sailors and appreciated for its comfort, security, and efficiency for mast climbing and maintenance. While we’re not sailing experts ourselves, we wanted to take a moment to share the experiences of our customers and provide their thoughts on a harness that can be configured for a variety of pursuits.

Customer Feedback

Our customer experience team recently assisted local sailor, Kirk Grier, in trying out the ATOM Harness for mast climbing. Here’s what he shared with us: 

• The ATOM’s lightweight build and ergonomic design make it comfortable for extended time aloft.
• Its secure fit and gear loops offer practical advantages over traditional Bosun’s Chairs.
• Sailors appreciate the durability, security, and versatility of the harness for marine work.
• Below are a few words from Kirk and some photos he sent us of the ATOM going sailing.

“The ATOM is working great. I have literally bought and resold / returned at least 6 harnesses. The ATOM sizing and padding are ideal for me and it’s more comfortable than other options I’ve tried. The gear attachment points are solid, as are the soft-side work positioning loops. Your team getting back to me and offering to let me test hang was really appreciated.”

Sailing Articles  

In a publication from the Clever Mariner, sailor Adam Morris shares his experience with changing out the Bosun’s Chair for an ATOM Harness. He set up a test scenario aboard his boat, SV Confianza, to explore the hypothesis that “there must be a safer, more comfortable way to go up our mast than a Bosun’s Chair”. For his test subject, Morris chose his crewmate and “go-to mast guy” Oliver. After being skeptical at first, Oliver came back down to the deck singing a different tune, “That felt completely different. Like… I felt secure the whole time. Not just held up but in. It’s not even close to a Bosun’s Chair”.

Morris highlights how harnesses made for wind energy and rope access, like the ATOM Harness, offer modern safety features and better ergonomics. The Bosun’s Chair, in contrast, is typically used out of habit and often without the additional full body harness recommended by most marine manufacturers. This sentiment is echoed in his article for Practical Sailor, where Morris critiques the legacy design of Bosun’s Chairs and encourages sailors to explore professional-grade gear. He emphasizes that reviewers for Practical Sailor found the Bosun’s Chair uncomfortable and hard to work in, while the ATOM Harness demonstrated that “it’s a lot easier to get work done aloft when you’re comfortably strapped in and secure”.

We’re excited to provide his conclusion below. Make sure to read the full article for details. At the end of the day, we’re just glad he found a better, safer way to get work done and enjoy his time on the water!

“We’re now fully converted. It’s safer, more comfortable, and — once you’ve felt the difference — it’s hard to understand why bosun’s chairs are still the default. It’s a lot easier to get work done aloft when you’re comfortably strapped in and secure. In our own experience with the ATOM, comfort and security made it a completely different experience. You can just get more done up there, and more quickly. I think it can be boiled down to:

Supported sitting position — The straps, padding, and adjustment angles around the thighs and waist keep you in a comfortable, seated position without balancing yourself. Weight was distributed better. You can shift around, grab tools, comfortably use both hands on a task, etc.

We stopped thinking about falling — I’ve never been in a bosuns chair and felt secure, which is why I shy away from going up the mast unless I absolutely have to. Bosun’s chairs always give me that sense that you have to keep yourself in it. In the ATOM, your whole body is secured — back, legs, waist, chest. There’s nowhere to tip or slip.

Our brave test pilot, Ollie, is also on a J105 racing team. After race day, they coincidentally also flew a halyard up the mast. Ollie asks to borrow my CMC harness and sends the captain up. His team was quickly converted.“

Conclusion

Have you used the ATOM Harness on your sailboat? We’d love to hear your story! Drop us a line or tag us on social media. And if you’re curious about trying something new for your next mast climb, let us know if you’re open to trying the ATOM Harness. 

Please be sure to always consult a sailing expert and established sailing guidance regarding proper techniques and safe equipment for performing boat maintenance, mast climbing, or generally working from height in a marine environment.