The other day I was at the marina and noticed a guy working on a mast light. He was in, what I think they call a "Bosun Chair". My question is, "Is the Bosun Chair attached to one of the halyards?" If so do you have someone winch you up and down? Thanks
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Yes, and yes.
Be careful with this, you could be killed if you fall from that height. I have gone up many masts. I always try to rig two lines that will support me, one to the bosun's chair, a halyard; a second halyard to a harness that I wear. You'll need enough people and blocks and winches to do this, of course. If you can only use a single halyard, I still recommend a harness in addition to the chair, and tie the harness directly to the halyard line above the shackle with a rolling hitch, and tape it. This way, if the shackle fails you are still held up. I rig the bottom of the halyard through a snatch block to the anchor windlass - mine has a vertical capstan as well as the chain gypsie. You could also use your halyard winch, but I recommend the primary (jib sheet) winches. Make sure your mate on deck knows what to do, and you have an effective way of communicating.
Be careful with this, you could be killed if you fall from that height. I have gone up many masts. I always try to rig two lines that will support me, one to the bosun's chair, a halyard; a second halyard to a harness that I wear. You'll need enough people and blocks and winches to do this, of course. If you can only use a single halyard, I still recommend a harness in addition to the chair, and tie the harness directly to the halyard line above the shackle with a rolling hitch, and tape it. This way, if the shackle fails you are still held up. I rig the bottom of the halyard through a snatch block to the anchor windlass - mine has a vertical capstan as well as the chain gypsie. You could also use your halyard winch, but I recommend the primary (jib sheet) winches. Make sure your mate on deck knows what to do, and you have an effective way of communicating.
Top climber works
If you have to go up the mast alone, you can stand in the rig and look down on your work. It is nice to have this in open water when you need to get to the top of the mast and your only help is your wife, and she is afraid of heights and to weak to hoist you to the top with a bosun chair.
If you have to go up the mast alone, you can stand in the rig and look down on your work. It is nice to have this in open water when you need to get to the top of the mast and your only help is your wife, and she is afraid of heights and to weak to hoist you to the top with a bosun chair.
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