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Rigging Bosun Chair

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RMurphy
Deckhand

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13 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/09/2003 : 13:42:27

Can onyone direct me to a diagram on rigging a bosun chair,Also I would like to set up to singlehand the bosun chair to raise and lower myself with no assistance. Thanks Bob

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2003 : 22:47:39

Bob: Sorry, I am not good enough on a computer to get you a diagram, but I use a method that I like a lot. It was suggested, I think, on a video on going aloft by Brion Toss, a renowned rigger in Pt. Townsend, WA.

The method involves a bosun's chair, two "ratchet blocks" and enough line to go to the mast head 3 times (I use an 80' length of soft dacron line (probably 5/16?) for my standard rig.

Quick explanation: I have tried to explain this before on this site, but don't know if it's been successful.

Tie with a bowline, the end of the line to the becket on one ratchet block, run it through the second block which is attached to the chair (I use a caribiner). Then take the bitter end up through the first ratchet block. Make sure the ratchet gear is clicked "on" so the block only turns in one direction. Then, hoist the first block to the masthead ( I use the jib halyard) and carefully cleat off the halyard. You can then hoist yourself up the mast using the line through the blocks. You can "unclick" the ratchet on the block at the chair in order to get down, but leave one locked to provide plenty of friction so you can't free fall.

Frankly, I forget the physics, but I think you can haul yourself up with this system pulling 1/3 your weight. It takes a lot of pulling, and you go slowly, but it's pretty easy, and pretty safe. When I do this, I have a second person tending a safety line attached to the chair as well (using the spinnaker halyard). A 3rd person can actually help with the pulling down on the deck, if you have some help.

Let me know if I can answer any questions. I could snail mail a diagram, if it would help.

Gary B. Encore! #685 SK/SR

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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2003 : 00:00:28

Bob, Gary is right. What he's describing is essentially a vang arrangement. Our rigger uses one, too. With the ratchet blocks it is safer. Gary described a three part tackle. I built up a four part vang without ratchet blocks. Just like a soft boom vang. I keep the block with the cam at the bosun's chair. It takes a while to get up with the four to one purchase, but it works.

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2003 : 08:40:13

Hi Bob,

In Brian Toss'book, "The Complete Rigger's Apprentice", he shows several ways to go aloft including rigging a bos'ns chair. AND, a whole lot more. It's a great book if you are trying to learn more about what goes in to keeping your mast standing, repairing standing and running rigging, splicing, et al.

Many good chandleries have this book in stock. Some libraries have it to loan. And, of course, you can probably purchase it from several on line book sellers. BTW: the ISBN number is 0-07-064840-9

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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RMurphy
Deckhand

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13 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2003 : 12:49:48

Gentlemen
Thanks for your replys,I will get a copy of the book you suggested.
Thanks Again, Bob

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Mike Neilsen
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2003 : 15:38:55

I came across a good idea in an old book about beating the high cost of sailing. One can buy or make a rope ladder with wooden rungs. Make it a little shorter than the height of the mast. It can be hoisted with a halyard, the bottom can be secured firmly down to the deck, and a few rungs could be lashed to the mast as you go up. I would want to use a safety belt when I got to where I was going.

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f_sondergaard
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 21:22:27

Bob,

West Marine sells a Nylon strap with sluggs on it that you can hook to your main halyard and hoist it up the mast. The nylon strap then becomes a ladder that you can use to climb to the top of your mast. The only bad thing is if you have to work on your spreaders you can't get to them with it.

I tried to hoist myself once with a chair but it ended up taking two other grown men. Once I got to the top of the mast the boat was heeling so much you would of thought we were in the middle of a hurricane.

Good luck!

Jason & Fran
1982 Catalina 25
Swing to Wing

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 23:22:33

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> a good idea in an old book about beating the high cost of sailing <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Mike:

Which old book? I'm always on the look out for ways to avoid throwing more cash at West Marine (even if it takes buying a book from West Marine to do it<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>).

By the way, where do you keep your boat? You must be near.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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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.