Alternative to a bosun's chair?

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Ian_Rob

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I took my lazy bag off to clean it and, following the recent gales, one end of one supporting line is now far out of reach up the mast. Before lashing out on a bosun's chair to retrieve it, is there a safe alternative?

Climbing harnesses are available that are significantly cheaper. Any good?

The old idea of a plank with holes at each end seems a bit precarious!
 
Ian_Rob said:
Climbing harnesses are available that are significantly cheaper. Any good?

The old idea of a plank with holes at each end seems a bit precarious!
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Use a combination. The plank is more comfortable to sit on, and the harness will keep you in one piece if you fall off the plank.

Pete
 
I have used a climbing harness since the 80's (not the same one) and for mast work I find foot strops that hang from the lifting loop are great for standing in for comfort when working for long periods and makes it easy to get your head above the mast head.
 
I too use a climbing harness, if you have a local Go Outdoors you can pick a DECENT and SAFE harness up for no more than £60.

I don't like bosuns chairs and planks as they cut uoff the circulation after 10 minutes and don't provide enough support in the right places.
 
If you are going to be aloft for any period of time then a harness very uncomfortable. They are easier to climb in but a good bosuns chair is the best solution. I have had one of the cheap ones which come in their own bag break on me so if your on a budget then a good climbing harness is safer.
 
wklein said:
If you are going to be aloft for any period of time then a harness very uncomfortable. They are easier to climb in but a good bosuns chair is the best solution. I have had one of the cheap ones which come in their own bag break on me so if your on a budget then a good climbing harness is safer.
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A well fitted and adjusted harness really shouldn't, most people make the mistake of tightening the legs right up to stop them falling through when really the weight should be in the waist and groin to spread the load out.

here is a good guide

http://www.livestrong.com/article/414367-how-tight-should-rock-climbing-harness-leg-loops-be/
 
wklein said:
If you are going to be aloft for any period of time then a harness very uncomfortable. They are easier to climb in but a good bosuns chair is the best solution. I have had one of the cheap ones which come in their own bag break on me so if your on a budget then a good climbing harness is safer.
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I'm told by those in the know that a *caving* harness is better than a *climbing* harness on the grounds the the former is designed to let you sit suspended in it for long periods of time, whereas the generally latter isn't.

Foot loops are probably a good idea too.
 
I've done a little climbing here and there, but nothing that involved sitting in the harness for very long. However, I have heard of suspension trauma (see also the HSE).

It's considered a factor in rescuing someone who's fallen off the yard of a modern square-rigger, is hanging in their harness, and can't get back onto the rig.

Obviously the design of the harness will make a huge difference.

Pete
 
Ian_Rob said:
I took my lazy bag off to clean it and, following the recent gales, one end of one supporting line is now far out of reach up the mast. Before lashing out on a bosun's chair to retrieve it, is there a safe alternative?

Climbing harnesses are available that are significantly cheaper. Any good?

The old idea of a plank with holes at each end seems a bit precarious!
Click to expand...

Bamboo canes from garden centre, gaffer tape together, fish hook at the far end with some heavy breaking strain fishing line... recover safely from deck level....
 
The bamboo canes do sound a good idea if only half way up the mast. But I've used a combination of rope ladder and climbing harness to go to the top of my mast.

Tying loops about every foot in a length of rope which you hoist to the masthead gives you a reasonable rope ladder. Threading bits of hose onto the loops will keep them open, which makes it easier to get your feet into them. And a bit of cord from the rope into the mast track every few metres can stop you swinging around too much. The climbing harness is my backup, attached to a second halyard with a prussic knot, to catch me if I slip. Abseiling down a third rope, retaining the prussic backup on the second halyard, saves the bother of climbing down.

Its quite feasible to use that setup to go up and down singlehanded, I'd say in reasonable safety - you'd always need two independent things to fail for you to fall.

Cheers
Patrick
 
Arborist harness for me - they come up on ebay frequently for around thirty quid. Good waist/lower back support and a feeling that you're sitting in something rather than on it. I know the standard bosun's chairs have their adherents but as others have said with a harness you can attach standing straps easily and use them without losing your 'seat'. They also feel very substantial and safe and they usually attatch with a midriff height "D" ring.

I'm not a climber but I did gatecrash an evening course to learn the knots and I'm glad I did. I also use a safety line always which I attach to the harness with a simple prussic knot. You do have to remember to slide the prussic along the safety when you move but it has been very reassuring on the occasions I forgot to move it when I felt it tighten hard on the safety
 
If you go for a climbing harness you'll find that many of the expensive ones are desgned to be lighweight and have narrow webbing. Thery're fine for climbing but not comfortable to hang in for long periods. look for a mountanering harness, the webbing will be wider and the leg loops will be adjustable, the classic alpine type harnesses would be good
 
I use a webbing ladder hist in the mainsail track to go aloft - although with my phobia I haven't gone far past the spreaders yet! I also wear a sailing harness for the safety line, tailed by a mate in the cockpit. The ladder has a pair of steps at the top to allow you to stand comfortably with your head and shoulders above the masthead.

When retrieving a halyard, I went just above the spreaders and hooke it down with two boathooks strapped together.

Rob.
 
IJL said:
look for a mountanering harness, the webbing will be wider and the leg loops will be adjustable, the classic alpine type harnesses would be good
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Yes, on my own yacht, I use the harness I had for mountaineering. But adding 2 loops of webbing (long sail ties) as "stirrups" to stand in much increased the comfort level. I have been able to stay at the masthead for hours with this system.

When going on other people's boat, I take with me a long piece of wide webbing (cut in an old car safety belt) to make a makeshift harness as described here: http://fatcanyoners.org/bush-guide/making-a-tape-harness/
It's almost as comfortable as a purpose-made one.

Alain
 
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