At what point is buying a bosun's chair a good investment

kappykaplan · Aug 9, 2015

Re: At what point buying a bosun's chair an investment

I bought mine when I purchased my boat in 2008. It's been used at least once a season since. I recommend that you buy your own, not to mention the peace of mind from knowing the exact condition your chair is in.

WayneH · Aug 9, 2015

Re: At what point buying a bosun's chair an investment

Psst!! Do you need a bosun's chair? The local riggers I use have rock climbing harnesses. I was impressed because I keep feeling like I am falling out of a bosun's chair. Mine looks like this. http://www.rei.com/product/880933/black-diamond-momentum-climbing-harness-mens not promoting REI, just using their link.

I bought stainless steel carbiners and some line to clip my tools to the harness rings. So the tools I am not using at the moment are not falling to the deck. Plus I installed a wrist loop on the lines in case I get fumble fingers at height. Prevents holes in the deck that way. I have spent time just hanging around waiting for the Admiral to hoist up some tool I had forgotten and never got tired.

Food for thought.

woodster · Aug 9, 2015

Re: At what point buying a bosun's chair an investment

i am thinking about installing folding mast steps..i have use a chair but i am leaning more and more to steps and using a safety line

thinwater · Aug 9, 2015

WayneH said:
Psst!! Do you need a bosun's chair? The local riggers I use have rock climbing harnesses. I was impressed because I keep feeling like I am falling out of a bosun's chair. Mine looks like this. http://www.rei.com/product/880933/black-diamond-momentum-climbing-harness-mens not promoting REI, just using their link.

I bought stainless steel carbiners and some line to clip my tools to the harness rings. So the tools I am not using at the moment are not falling to the deck. Plus I installed a wrist loop on the lines in case I get fumble fingers at height. Prevents holes in the deck that way. I have spent time just hanging around waiting for the Admiral to hoist up some tool I had forgotten and never got tired.

Food for thought.

Return the stainless biners and exchange them for wire gate biners from REI. Much lighter (matters when climbing), effectively corrosion proof (only the wire gate sort), and much smoother action. SS biners are ONLY needed where continuous salt exposure is expected. Even on-deck they are a waste and much less handy.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2010/09/more-climbing-gear-for-sailors.html

quadrille38 · Aug 9, 2015

I use an ATN Top Climber to go up. Prefer it as I can sit stand my way up the mast instead of relying on the graces of friends to crank me up. Takes a bit of practice but once you get used to it it's not difficult.

gettinthere · Aug 9, 2015

Just thought I'd share this one...
Going up while under way is a treat. Try it some time

Calif. Ted · Aug 9, 2015

Re: At what point buying a bosun's chair an investment

It was age dependent for me, when younger I'd use a climbing harness or even a "quickie" harness tied up out of 1 inch webbing. Then I got so my legs (and stuff) got all numb and tingling in 15 minutes so started using a bosun's chair. Harness seems more secure but a chair is just as safe and much more comfortable. Unless you intend to go aloft while underway, then use a harness, maybe.

Joe · Aug 10, 2015

Re: At what point is buying a bosun's chair a good investmen

A padded plank seat is much more comfortable because you can shift your ass around and there's no pressure on your hips from the side. If you want to feel more secure, tie yourself into it with harness like back and crotch straps.

31seahorse · Aug 10, 2015

Re: At what point is buying a bosun's chair a good investmen

RE: condition of the equipment.

Any of the methods of going aloft will be used infrequently on most boats. The storage place for that equipment may be the bottom of a sail locker where it will suffer from damp and disuse. I have owned a pretty lousy looking chair! Some riggers stitch their own line to the end of the halyard, pull their line to the mast top and back to the deck where it is secured, and then climb entirely on their own line. It is a personal choice regarding which method is best to go aloft.

I did buy a climbing harness, a heavy climbing line, and some ascenders and have enjoyed using that setup. A lineman's belt was also worn to connect another halyard as a safety line. That all gets a bit tricky when passing the spreaders. Overall, I enjoy the view from the top of the mast, and I usually enjoy the comments of other people in the marina. The earlier comment by WayneH relating to the short lines on tools is a good one. Forget holes in the deck....there could be holes in people who are on the deck if tools are dropped. Of course I always needed something that I had not brought aloft, so a small, long line was always necessary to get those things sent up. Bucket or bag optional for that lift.

Final thought...... post hip replacement surgery I might revert to the "chair". Probably one on the dock so I can watch someone else go up the mast!

woodster · Aug 10, 2015

31seahorse said:
Final thought...... post hip replacement surgery I might revert to the "chair". Probably one on the dock so I can watch someone else go up the mast!

now your talking lol

DougM · Aug 10, 2015

It all boils down to a matter of personal choice.

I have a good quality bosun's chair which I have adjusted to fit properly so that I don't get the sensation of sliding out of it. I use it with a top climber and the foot straps add to the stability. Sitting for a long time is more comfortable than a climbing harness. The other advantage to the chair is the pockets to hold tools and parts. I don't need the chair very often, but I am more inclined to trust my own over one that does not belong to me.

Even with a chair, I still use a safety harness attached to a second halyard, belayed from below. Sort of a belt and suspenders approach I suppose.

All U Get · Aug 10, 2015

Calif. Ted said:
It was age dependent for me, when younger I'd use a climbing harness or even a "quickie" harness tied up out of 1 inch webbing. Then I got so my legs (and stuff) got all numb and tingling in 15 minutes so started using a bosun's chair. Harness seems more secure but a chair is just as safe and much more comfortable. QUOTE]

I remembered a training session where we spent some time discussing the time needed for a rescue. When the circulation is cut off serious stuff can happen, suspension trauma or blood unable to get to the heart.

http://www.elcosh.org/document/1795/d000638/Will+My+Safety+Harness+Save+My+Life%3F.html?show_text=1

Try some new harnesses and seats to compare the fit. Some butts don't fit well in either.

All U Get

PS Sorry but OSHA was the quickest I could find.

Sumner · Aug 10, 2015

Surprised no one has mentioned the ....

http://www.mastmate.com/

.... Mast Mate. I picked up one used that hadn't been used and ....

.... have used it on the Endeavour and a friend's boat. He and I really like it.

Still used a harness and safety line as backup for the 'just in case' situation.

If any of you are near where the boat is in Florida (Charlotte Harbor) you are welcome to use it,

Sumner

=========================================

1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac

Endeavour 37 Mods...

MacGregor 26-S Mods...

Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

centerline · Aug 10, 2015

WayneH said:
Psst!! Do you need a bosun's chair? The local riggers I use have rock climbing harnesses.

I thought this too, so I bought a mid priced harness.... and now that I have tried the rock climbing/rappelling harness's I can honestly say they just dont cut it when you need to stay in one place very long. very uncomfortable to hang in.

the position and support is good if falling is your only concern, but they pinch and cut off circulation if you dont keep moving around. second only to the concern of falling is comfort, and if it isnt comfortable enough to set in and work out of, then there isnt much sense in buying one.

I now have a bosuns chair and its a much better device. there is no problems setting comfortably for 30 minutes or more while installing/repairing things up top...

as for the actual need of having one, if you are a hardcore "DIY fixer", and have any actual reason to go up the mast, especially if you have a need while away from the dock, then you should definitely own one, if you have someone to crank you up..
but if you are just curious as to whats up there and will usually have someone else inspect and repair, then you dont need one....

personally, I wouldnt recommend borrowing or loaning one for liability reasons, because some people just dont know but think they do, and you can be assured of complications if there is an accident.

centerline · Aug 10, 2015

quadrille38 said:
I use an ATN Top Climber to go up. Prefer it as I can sit stand my way up the mast instead of relying on the graces of friends to crank me up. Takes a bit of practice but once you get used to it it's not difficult.

I agree... there are better ways (more expensive) of climbing the mast than being cranked up on a winch, not that using a self tailing winch is such a bad idea, but because anyone who has had to crank a 200lb person up the mast before will be hard to find when it needs to be done again

... its not an easy chore.

31seahorse · Aug 10, 2015

Re: At what point is buying a bosun's chair a good investmen

Like Sumner had mentioned the ladder type climber is another choice. When I first used one the loops kept collapsing making it a challenge to get my foot into each higher or lower loop. That was solved by cutting 6 inch lengths of clear plastic tubing and then slitting them so that they could be slipped over the bottom of the climbing loop. That held the loop open at the lower end. However, the ladder still seemed unsteady because it tended to move from side to side as I climbed up or down. After a climb or two it made a great eBay offering!

I also had some difficulty getting to the very top of the mast to work above it on the wind instrument. The climbing belt and ascenders never failed to provide a usable level to work.

Finally, one time my friend offered to use his electric winch handle to lift me to the top. I thought the thing was going to split in half! I guess there is a weight limit that I exceeded!

Sumner · Aug 10, 2015

31seahorse said:
Like Sumner had mentioned the ladder type climber is another choice. When I first used one the loops kept collapsing making it a challenge to get my foot into each higher or lower loop. That was solved by cutting 6 inch lengths of clear plastic tubing and then slitting them so that they could be slipped over the bottom of the climbing loop. That held the loop open at the lower end. However, the ladder still seemed unsteady because it tended to move from side to side as I climbed up or down. After a climb or two it made a great eBay offering!

With it pulled very tight on the bottom haven't had a side to side problem and....

.... the webs closing hasn't been a big one for me or Scott, but I had to have boots on. Scott managed with sandals but I couldn't hack that. They stayed pretty much open like in the picture above. Were you using the Mast Mate?

I have two fold-able steps that I'm going to put at the top of the mast for better/equal/more solid footing there,

Sumner

==========================================

1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac

Endeavour 37 Mods...

MacGregor 26-S Mods...

Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

Jackdaw · Aug 10, 2015

centerline said:
I thought this too, so I bought a mid priced harness.... and now that I have tried the rock climbing/rappelling harness's I can honestly say they just dont cut it when you need to stay in one place very long. very uncomfortable to hang in.

We have both a chair and a harness on our big boat. Our bowman is always in the harness because he can wear it while sailing, and if he needs to go up ASAP he's ready and all we need are halyards. It is very secure, and often for fun he will pull himself down headfirst along the forestay. Properly worn, you cannot fall out.

But you are 100% correct that they are not designed to be sat in all the time under the load of your own weight. Doing work on the masthead, I would choose to use the chair for that reason.