Alternative Bosun Chair
Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:36 am
To remove weight and extra equipment from the boat and some obstructions to normal sail handling, we removed the D frame and the line from Bay Wings. We only need to lower the mast when trailering, which is an every two-year effort (we hope). Of course, the predestined day arrived when the spinnaker halyard remained at the top of the mast. I had put off buying a bosun chair for both cost and space reasons, but now it was a week before a race and I did not have time to do a lot of comparative shopping.
West Marine and other sailing sites wanted at least $120 for a bosun's chair and those often prohibit climbing the mast, as you actually have to sit in them. Fortunately, EMS, Eastern Mountain Sports, had climbing harnesses on sale, 20% off, making them half the price of West Marine's. Hey, if climbers trust them on sheer cliffs, I suppose that one will take me up a mast. Plus, I also can climb using my legs, so guy winching me up does not have to be muscle bound ( I weigh 210 lbs.). The added bonus is that they cost half the price of a true bosun chair and take up much less space on the boat. The only drawback that I see is that they do not have all the nice pockets for tools. They do have loops on which you can attach tools or bags containing tools, however. They are comfortable, but not made for lounging.
Of course, if you keep your mast raising and lowering gear on the boat, you may not need it, though it would be interesting how far out the mast one can reach when on the water with the mast down. Can you reach where the halyards enter the mast?
One added piece of equipment is an extended pole, my boat hook's hook was too bulbous to fit, with a hook that can snag the halyard's shackle. I could have reached the shakle while at the upper spreaders. A bent coat hanger taped to the boat hook would work!
The other possibility is when the mainsail or spinnaker will not come down. Then you really need the chair!
John
West Marine and other sailing sites wanted at least $120 for a bosun's chair and those often prohibit climbing the mast, as you actually have to sit in them. Fortunately, EMS, Eastern Mountain Sports, had climbing harnesses on sale, 20% off, making them half the price of West Marine's. Hey, if climbers trust them on sheer cliffs, I suppose that one will take me up a mast. Plus, I also can climb using my legs, so guy winching me up does not have to be muscle bound ( I weigh 210 lbs.). The added bonus is that they cost half the price of a true bosun chair and take up much less space on the boat. The only drawback that I see is that they do not have all the nice pockets for tools. They do have loops on which you can attach tools or bags containing tools, however. They are comfortable, but not made for lounging.
Of course, if you keep your mast raising and lowering gear on the boat, you may not need it, though it would be interesting how far out the mast one can reach when on the water with the mast down. Can you reach where the halyards enter the mast?
One added piece of equipment is an extended pole, my boat hook's hook was too bulbous to fit, with a hook that can snag the halyard's shackle. I could have reached the shakle while at the upper spreaders. A bent coat hanger taped to the boat hook would work!
The other possibility is when the mainsail or spinnaker will not come down. Then you really need the chair!
John