Which Bosuns Chair

[Norman_E]

Two days ago I had to go up the mast three times to sort out a "simple" problem (don't ask), and because my bosuns chair is an all fabric one and very uncomfortable I borrowed an American made rigid seat one from a friend. I now want to buy a good rigid seat one myself. Any recommendations please? I have seen that Mailspeed have the Seago one, which looks good, but is it, or is there anything better?

 

[MoodySabre]

Things based on climbing gear are supposedly safe and comfy - like this:
http://www.spinlockdeckware.com/products.asp?id=4917

I have no experience of them but they seem like a good idea. Personally I use an old canvas jobbie and find a friend to go up whilst I act as heavyweight winchman.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Many years ago I made a rigid bosuns chair using a plank of wood and bits of rope. Worked fine, and as good as the professional one I inherited with my present boat - no name on it but it does have pockets for tools etc. I guess any well known make with a rigid seat will suffice OR have you thought about a mast ladder? I've also used a DEFEE ladder which you slot into the mast slot - this also works well in conjunction with a halliard for safety. I've also used, this winter, a standard domestic aluminium extending ladder for fixing a radar reflector to the mast. Tied firmly at the base, at the top to the crosstrees, and tied to the babystay. Very firm, but we were ashore, and used a safety harness & lifeline looped twice around the mast for stability and safety whist using the drill and pop-riveter.

 

[sailing86]

The Seago one is very good...its the one I use! It us very comfortable and is very safe. The chair straps around your waist so there is very little chance of slipping out when manually climbing. When aloft, it is still very good. I would always recomend the use of an auxiliary harness as a back up (and on a second halyard) just in case. A climbing harness or even lifejacket (with harness) would be ok for this.

 

[Norman_E]

Thank you for the information. I will probably buy the Seago one. I had thought of a mast ladder, but the Deffee one needs the mainsail taken out of the track in order to use it, so I would prefer to install mast steps at some stage. For now I use the bosuns chair plus a harness and a second halliard to that if possible. If the other halliard cannot be used then I secure myself with a webbing loop doubled round the mast. I have a pair of Jumar ascenders, and have thought of using one on a rope fitted from masthead to deck (hauled up on a spare halliard) as a safety device, always keeping it above my shoulder height on a short leash from the harness. I have tried climbing using the Jumars but find it very hard.