Association Forum - Bosun's chair

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Bosun's chair

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

AADIVER
Admiral

Member Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/27/2006 : 19:25:36

When rigging a 2 or 3 to one purchase to pull a bosun's chair up the mast, how do you keep the lines from twisting and causing friction as you're hauled aloft? I'm using 1/2 inch nylon braided line, a single, and a double Schaeffer(sp?) block.

Frank Farmer
Long Beach, CA
aa.diver@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/aa.diver

PRETTY PENNY
'01 C-250 WK, Hull #558

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 22:04:02

What do you need to go aloft for Frank?

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 22:34:46

To install a masthead Windex and retrieve my jib halyard. If I wasn't such a cheap sob I'd hire a rigger to do it

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 23:26:58

Are you pulling yourself up the mast? Get two people to help you out, by the photos on your site I would say you are 180-190 lbs. I went up the mast 3 weeks ago, I was hoisted up on a wooden chair, the halyard was attached to the wood chair by a steel ring. We used the main halyard that runs threw a clutch, then back to one cabin top winch, then across the cabin top to the other. Three wraps around the winches making sure the second person is keeping the first winch tailed. Winches were #7 Lewmars 5/16" halyard. If you don't trust your one halyard snap on the genoa halyard also. Be sure you have everything you need to work up top, you might want to take a bridle and tie yourself off to the top (security). Don't be up there for more than 30 min. at a time, the cut off of blood in the legs can make you pass out. I went up 4 times, I hate heights, but feel comfortable doing it now. The more hardware you use the more of a chance something could break, and your right, I would hate to have a line that is supporting me get tangled up, or jam for that matter.

Edited by - Ericson33 on 04/27/2006 23:28:55

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 23:58:46

Thanks for the advice, but I would specifically like to know how to keep the hoisting lines from twisting as I'm being hoisted up. I have a single block at the chair and a double block at the halyard. Including the hauling up line there are four 1/2 inch lines total. The hauling up line runs through a block at the mast step and back to the starboard winch. If this isn't clear, I'll try and post some pics tomorrow of the rig.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 06:39:10

First, even if the blocks twist they should be okay. You can probably set the block aloft not to twist, Lewmar and harken have allen key screw that can be adjusted. I don’t know about other block models. The bottom half isn’t going to twist unless you personally decide to do 360’s on your way up.

Second, why the purchase? From your picture you don’t look to be more than 200lbs soaking wet. You should be able to use a halyard on a winch.

Third, you have a trailerable rig that is easy to step the mast on. Get some family and friends over bring the beer and drop the mast, add the windex , get the halyard put the mast back up.

Way safer and easier than having someone crank you up. Save the Bosun’s chair for emergencies at sea.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 06:55:33

Hi Duane, I agree, if you have to have a couple guys over just to haul you up, you might as well drop the mast. Also, I just sent the apps and check for the Nationals. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 07:08:17

check or checks?

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 07:29:42

Hi D, I sent one to you and one to Edgewater. That is right, right? Cheers.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 07:51:52

yep...

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 14:01:17

Uh, back to my bosun's chair query:
Yeah, I can drop the mast. If I drop it aft the head will be almost mid channel. If I drop it forward it'll rest on top of the boat in the slip opposite me. Not practical solutions to my "problem", i.e. recovering my jib halyard. I can live/sail without a top mounted Windex since I have the mini's attached to port and starboard shrouds, but I need the jib halyard to hoist a radar reflector.
Pics of my chair rig soon.

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 14:08:11

Tie a messenger line to your mainsail halyard, tape a hook made from a metal clothes hanger to the mainsail halyard, run the hook up the foreward side of the mast, giggle it around until it hooks the jib halyard, haul the jib halyard down. I successfully completed this operation several times prior to going with all line halyards.

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 14:15:24

"...run the hook up the foreward side of the mast..."
But the halyard enters the mast on the aft side. Don't understand how I can maneuver the coat hanger hook around to the front to snag the jib halyard. Trial and many errors?

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 14:57:03

Nope, it won't work with an in-mast halyard.

Regarding your question concerning using a block and tackle to ascend the mast, it can be done and it doesn't twist. I'm 5' 10" and I weigh 160 soaking wet. Using a two sheave block attached to the mainsheet halyard shackle run to the top of the mast and a two sheave block with cam cleat shackled to my harness, I pulled myself to the top of the mast. I wrapped my tether around the mast twice and clipped both ends to the harness, as well. With each pull of the sheet, I would move the tether up the mast so it would always act as a brake in case anything went wrong. Nonetheless, it's a tiring exercise and some of the mast climbing products on the market are probably well worth the expense.

BTW, I would like to point out the number of people attempting to help you in this thread that just two days ago were lobbying to have you permanently removed from this forum for making extremely inappropriate comments. It's what sailors do for one another, regardless of what they think or feel about one another. Good luck.

Edited by - Sea Trac on 04/28/2006 15:34:58

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 16:11:49

"...extremely inappropriate comments."
When posters posted that my burgee was stitched and not glued and said I'd been flying it for four years and not four days, the clear implication was I was either stupid or lying. It was appropriate for me to comment on the condition of the burgee but INappropriate to over-react to the implication.
I should have assumed that some of the burgees are totally stitched and some glued and left it at that.
As to the bosun's chair thread, I'm going to hire a local rigger to install the Windex and retrieve the jib halyard.
BTW, I'm 5'9", 170 lbs...soaking wet, not all wet

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 16:22:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by FARMHAND
 "...extremely inappropriate comments."
When posters posted that my burgee was stitched and not glued and said I'd been flying it for four years and not four days, the clear implication was I was either stupid or lying. It was appropriate for me to comment on the condition of the burgee but INappropriate to over-react to the implication.
I should have assumed that some of the burgees are totally stitched and some glued and left it at that.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
To clarify, once and for all, and then to leave it be:

The triangles of the diamonds are both stitched and glued. There exists the possibility that one got by quality control and me without the stitching. That is all that was being discussed.

In response to your comment about flying the burgee for four days, which no one doubted, you were being told that WE (Jim, Derek and I) have been flying OURS for four years without any deterioration in quality.

The inappropriate remarks were all related to the fact that the burgee was manufactured in Mexico and what you implied by your comment, "'Nuff said?". You are entitled to your bigoted opinions, but you are not entitled to share them on this international association's forum.

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 18:08:27

Agreed.

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 19:14:52

Frank
I sailed next to a tree on the bank and My grandson crawled up the tree thru a ine around the mast and replaced the anchor light.
paulj C250 WK #719

Edited by - on

Wogman
Deckhand

Members Avatar

21 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 21:41:20

Frank,
I was able to retrieve my jib halyard by purchasing some cheap 1" pvc pipe and connectors at OSH and taping a coat hanger to the end of it. Took me less than 5 minutes and less than $5 to get things back to normal.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 15:00:41

I like the PVC pipe idea. Good suggestion !

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 15:44:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 I like the PVC pipe idea. Good suggestion !
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Me, too. It would be a bit flexible, kinda' like a strand of raw spaghetti, but I think it would work fine.

I used a length of PVC pipe to insert the compression tubes into my mast, and it worked great. Since the PVC pipe wasn't harmed in any way, I took it back for a refund!

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 15:59:08

If a rigger works for you, that's cool. What about the possiblilty of moving the boat along a bulkhead or longer dock where you can drop the mast?
dw

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 19:09:13

I've been wondering if someone would jump in with lowering the mast, so thanx Duane...because the mast weighs 60LBS and is so easy to lower...I really don't understand why anyone would risk going up the mast.

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 20:01:02

"Yeah, I can drop the mast. If I drop it aft the head will be almost mid channel. If I drop it forward it'll rest on top of the boat in the slip opposite me. Not practical solutions to my "problem", i.e. recovering my jib halyard."

The reason I have to go up the mast, or try Wogman's suggestion.
A question for him: what part of the coat hanger did you snag your halyard with, the hanger "hook" or the "elbow"? And approx. how long is/was your length of 1" PVC? And finally (whew!) how did you keep it from bending or swaying?

Edited by - on

Wogman
Deckhand

Members Avatar

21 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2006 : 00:37:23

I'm 6'2" so I think it was two 10 footers coupled together; folded the elbows into each other and taped them to the pvc with the hook extended beyond an end. Hauled it up hook first with the main halyard for support and with some finesse and a little body english was able to grab the jib halyard and bring it back down.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2006 : 13:24:10

Last summer my halyard got jammed, so I motored over to a public dock, lowered the mast about halfway, unjammed, raised, and was done in about half an hour.
also last summer,I saw another sailboat alongside a steep embankment...the crew was working on the masthead from shore.

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.