Bosun's Chair or Climbing Harness?

[Tam_Hazan]

Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

I have noticed that there seems to be a growing trend towards the use of climbing harness - rather than the traditional bosun's chair - when work is needed at the top of the mast.

What experience and/or views do you have on this subject?

I have to confess that I have only used the BC method, but I need to buy a new BC/CH. Is one method safer or easier than the other? Does one need to be particularly athletic to be a climber?

Tam

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[Spuddy]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

I've used a climbing harness but only because I've got one from before the knees gave out. They're OK to sit in for a while but the leg loops restrict the blood supply so not for lengthy sessions. You could try swivelling around to put your legs in the air which frees one restriction but puts another around the waist belt.
If your going up without using a winch i.e. using jumars/ascendeurs plus foot loops and prusiks etc your weight should be off your thighs sufficiently when going up and you can always stand up in a loop from time to time when at the top. I never got enough practice to do it competently and usually end up with my legs risng above the waist and then having to pause and work it all out while revolving... sounds a bit like Winnie the pooh on the ballon.
regards Spuddy

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[qsiv]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

Climbing is hard work for those of who arent particularly fit - but it is possible, and you can do it singlehanded. For going up a mast at sea I wouldnt entertain a bosuns chair, in harbour they are more comfortable (and someone else does all the hard work).

Personally I use a harness, but we also have a BC on board. The harness is also used when we need to change spinnaker guys or halyards in mid flight, or if someone has to climb out along the boom.

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[jleaworthy]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

The big advantage of a climbing harness is that you can't fall out of it! The disadvantage is that it isn't designed for sitting in for lengthy periods. The choice is between comfort and safety.

In both cases I assume you'll be hauled aloft on the end of a halyard by an obliging helper. If you are free climbing by whatever means neither chair nor harness will be of any help unless you have a helper manning an attached halyard as a safety line - and then you might as well have him/her haul you up as well.

At sea, a harness every time.

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[mdrifter]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

Use a climbing harness every time. Modern ones have well padded thigh loops and are more comfortable. Using a chest "baudrier" linked to the harness means you shouldn't be able to turn upside down and it alo helps to keep you closer to the mast. Use ascenders/clamps/jumars to climb halliard(s). Using 1 clamp for chest, 1 for foot loop and one for safety backup...Practise both ways...Whenever you see someone being hauled up relying on a thin pin of an external pulley... It's also possible to prussik up the mast without too much trouble passing the spreaders but it all needs practice. Haven't heard of the fire brigade having to rescue anyone from mast climbing...yet!

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[Cactus]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

We use one of those canvas ladders you haul up the track of the mast instead of the mailsail. We had to modify the ladders by attaching plastic strips onto the foot loops, as without it the loops wrapped round your foot and it really hurts when you put your weight on it.

Of course as well as this we have a harness as backup, but as above it does require someone on the deck taking up the slack on a winch.

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[mdrifter]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

Not had a problem with foot loops but could be useful to have an insert for comfort. One of the "benefits" of clamps/prussks is that you don't need someone gathering in slack and/or winchin', it can all be done solo with practice and being organised...

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[jimi]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

Climbing harness. I use a Petzl shunt + ascendeur for a foot loop.

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[charles_reed]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

I've used a climbing harness for rough-weather foredeck work as well as going up the mast.
Whilst it is rather safer (no chance of falling out and a better point of connection) and easier to climb rather than be winched up, it does have the disadvantage of a lack of stowage and needing to be more carefully fitted to the individual user.

As I now mostly single-hand (and the majority of crew are too feeble to winch me 15m) I use some webbing steps which slide up the maintrack.

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[charles_reed]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

I've used a climbing harness for rough-weather foredeck work as well as going up the mast.
Whilst it is rather safer (no chance of falling out and a better point of connection) and easier to climb rather than be winched up, it does have the disadvantage of a lack of stowage and needing to be more carefully fitted to the individual user.

As I now mostly single-hand (and the majority of crew are too feeble to winch me 15m) I now use some webbing steps which slide up the maintrack.

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[Tam_Hazan]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

Thanks to all who have replied.

It does look as though the modern climbing harness is the item to buy. Seems that the chandlers have not caught onto that one yet!

Good sailing,

Tam

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[aod]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

hmmmm.......................................I used a climbing harness to go up the mast after the AZAB. Tokk me ten minutes to get up and about an hour to get down again. Made me realise that in anything other than a flat sea it would be a nightmare!

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[LeonF]

Re: Bosun\'s Chair or Climbing Harness?

I copied this from someone at my club. Length of warp some three times the length of your mast with a triple block at the top and a double below. Hoist the block to the top of the mast on the main halyard--or spinnaker or jib. Better the main if you want to go up aft the mast. Attach bosuns chair to the other end. You can then haul yourself up very easily--even easier if someone can tail the bitter end. It means that the hauler does not need to be strong. I ascend my 40ft mast easily. Never done it at sea though.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson