Brion Toss
Yacht Riggers Catalog

Brion Toss Yacht Riggers

Aloft Gear

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Our climbing harness is the result of decades of experience aloft. We wanted to be able to move freely, to get to spreader ends, around the mast, and right up to the masthead, so we developed a harness design that allowed that. We wanted absolute security, and that same design produced a harness that, properly fitted, you cannot fall out of, even if you are – heavens forbid – upside down. And we wanted comfort, or at least to avoid the pain we have experienced in other harnesses and chairs, so our harness has a massive waist band and long, wide leg pads. And finally, we wanted a harness that was maximally versatile, so we added a safety tether, rack loops, belts for sheath tools, and a multi-pocket pouch, and other features, so you can bring the tools and materials you need with you, and secure yourself anywhere in the rig to do your work.

The result is a harness that is the top pick for professionals, amateurs, and not incidentally Practical Sailor magazine. When you go aloft, go aloft with us.

Although I carry basic gear on harness – knife, spike, carabiners, soft shackles, etc. – working aloft typically involves a variety of tools and materials. In olden days I would send a rigging bucket aloft, but that is awkward and bulky, and small items tended to get lost in the bottom of the bucket. So I adapted an old fishing vest, and now I never go aloft without it. There is a pocket for a compact ratcheting screwdriver, and every possible bit, a pocket for our Rigger’s Pliers, Tef-Gel, Rigger’s Tape, caliper gauge, LocTite, One-Drop, tape measure, and lots of other tools and supplies, all easy to find and use. I put a Gear Keeper on anything that could do damage if it landed on someone, just as I would with a rigging bucket. But unlike the bucket, the vest lanyards are widely scattered, so the don’t get tangled with one another. I still keep a rigging bucket handy, for particularly large/complex jobs, but the vest is our most valuable aloft accessory. Our harnesses are very heavily-padded mountaineer-style harness that we've designed for the demands of yacht rigging.

Gear Keeper Retractor with Snap Clip

"This ingenious device is attached to all of our rigging vests as lanyards to just about anything!

It has

  • 60 lb. breaking strength

    an impact-resistant plastic case

  • saltwater-proof, compact

  • and most importantly - keeps your tools attached to you - handy and safe.

    Your crew will appreciate that you have thought of them.

    We love these and use them all the time!"

    This one snaps on.
    $22.00

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  • Riggers Caribiner

    The triple locking pear-shaped carabiner is a must-have item on any cruising vessel. Combined with the carabiner hitch, detailed in Chapman’s Guide to Knots (written by Brion), it is a life saving item when working aloft. These jaws open wider than most and with a little practice you can open it easily with one hand. The carabiner is manufactured by Petzl, is individually tested, and comes with a three year guarantee.
    $19.00

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    Aloft - Bosun's Harness - Small

    Please see description above

    - MEDIUM - fits adults 28-42 inches (Measure just above hip bones).

    - SMALL - fits smaller folks - 24-30 inch waist. We do not make Large.

    We do not recommend anyone larger than "Medium" using our harness without a chest harness in addition. (It is a center of gravity issue). And, we do not make a chest harness.
    $424.00

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    Aloft - Bosun's Harness - Medium

    This is a very heavily-padded mountaineer-style harness that we've designed for the demands of yacht rigging.

    More comfortable, and for longer, than any other harness or chair that we've tried.

    Imagine a climbing harness that lets you get higher on the mast, is impossible to fall out of, and allows utter freedom of movement.

    Imagine further that it has a built-in tether, 3 halyard attachment points, two loops for hanging extra gear from, and a large multi-pocket pouch, the Rigger's Tool Pouch, for cotter pins, small tools, tape and other incidentals.

    Brion Toss' dvd "Going Aloft" and harness instructions for suggested use and care included.

    Medium fits adults 28-42 inches (Measure just above hip bones).

    Small fits smaller folks - 24-30 inch waist. We do not make Large.

    We do not recommend anyone larger than "Medium" using our harness without a chest harness in addition. (It is a center of gravity issue). And, we do not make a chest harness.
    $424.00

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    Gear Keeper Retractors with Pin Mount

    This Gear Keeper has a VERY strong pin mount.
    $22.00

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    Gear Keeper Retractor with Velcro Strap

    This Gear Keeper velcro's on...
    $22.00

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    Aloft - Bosun's Tool Pouch

    The same tool pouch we include with our Bosun's AND Cruiser's Harness.

    This handy little bag works wonderfully for working aloft or any time your working with small parts or tools too important to lose over the rail.
    $30.00

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    DVD - Going Aloft

    "People tend to be either nonchalant about working aloft, or terrified of it.

    This dvd lays down safety procedures - some obvious - once stated, some subtle - to make leaving the deck a safer, easier exercise.

    Topics include:

  • chairs & harnesses
  • deck crew protocol
  • essential knots
  • belaying techniques
  • aspects of mental attitude 60 min.

    See the 3- and 4-Set dvd Specials for SUPER SAVINGS!"
    $29.00

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  • Book - The Complete Rigger's Apprentice by Brion Toss

    Tools and Techniques for Modern and Traditional Rigging

    A Review of The Riggers Apprentice ...Combining and updating the renowned Rigger's Apprentice and Rigger's Locker, The Riggers Apprentice meets the changing face of modern materials and technology while remaining true to rigging's best traditional principles and practices. It's much more than a knot book, though the knots a sailor needs are all here. The Complete Riggers Apprentice is a book for sailors who want the satisfaction and hard-cash savings of stepping their own masts, inspecting and maintaining their own rigs, and turning up their own tailsplices and wire eyesplices. It is for boat owners who want to replace an entire gang of rigging themselves--measuring, choosing appropriate wire, making soft eyes, leathering, and serving. It is for bluewater voyagers who want to feel secure in the knowledge that, should a shroud carry away far at sea, they will be able to repair it.

    The Complete Rigger's Apprentice is also a free-roaming collection of useful ideas and tips on everything from supplementing winches with block and tackle, to rigging snubbers at anchor, to using pantyhose for an emergency fanbelt. In short, it's the definitive book on the art of rigging, written by its most entertaining practitioner.

    Hardcover pp 392


    $32.00

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    Aloft - Cruisers Harness - Small

    Please see description for the medium size Cruisers Harness above

    - MEDIUM - fits adults 28-42 inches (Measure just above hip bones).

    - SMALL - fits smaller folks - 24-30 inch waist. We do not make Large.

    We do not recommend our harness to anyone larger than "Medium".

    If you are larger than "Medium - do not borrow or use any of our harnesses without also wearing a chest harness in addition. And, the chest harness should be fitted for you. (It is a center of gravity issue). We do not make a chest harness.
    $524.00

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    Aloft - Cruiser's Harness - Medium

    Cruiser's Harness....The same great Bosun's Harness - but all the hardware is Stainless Steel. Great for sailors planning to cruise in the warmer and saltier environment of the tropical latitudes.

    Great for Cruiser's who often find themselves unable to completely wash and dry out their harness, nor store them in a truly dry place.

    Though we urge you to try very hard to do so... or Ir-Re-fFxable and non replaceable corrosion will possibly result.

    - MEDIUM - fits adults 28-42 inches (Measure just above hip bones).

    - SMALL - fits smaller folks - 24-30 inch waist. We do not make Large.

    We do not recommend our harness to anyone larger than "Medium".

    If you are larger than "Medium - do not borrow or use any of our harnesses without also wearing a chest harness in addition. And, the chest harness should be fitted for you. (It is a center of gravity issue). We do not make a chest harness.
    $544.00

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    Falling ... ebook by Brion Toss


    $5.99

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    Gift Certificate

    Gift Certificates are available in $100 dollar increments.Please enter your gift amount in the text box below "gift certificate" on your shopping cart order page. We will verify your order by email.
    $100.00

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