XM Yachting Bosun's Chair

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Anonymous

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XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

I have an XM Yachting Bosun's Chair which I 'inherited' with my boat but there are no instructions in the file. I have googled and found the XM are supposed to have a website at www.xm-yachting.co.uk but this seems to be long defunct, given that it doesn't respond and google's cache is showing what seems to be an old page.

The bosun's chair is blue with yellow trim and webbing - there is no model or type shown. It is probably circa 1999 or 2000. Could anyone point me in the direction of some instructions online or tell me how the straps should go? Unfortunately, it looks as though someone has crossed over some straps incorrectly and I wouldn't really like to use it without knowing exactly how it was designed to be used.

Many thanks.
 

salamicollie

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

I've got one, but its on the boat, I'll be able to look at it tomorrow and post here unless anyone else is able to sort you out meantime
 
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Anonymous

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Thanks, I'd appreciate that /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

tugboat

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

My XM (also blue & yellow) purchased last year is very simple so maybe they've changed the design. On mine, there are 2 adjustable loops that you step into and are tightened on the thighs, another 2 (longer) adjustable loops that go over your shoulders and are tightened. This holds the BC in place under your bum. Then there are 2 fixed pieces of webbing (one each side) which have a substantial stainless ring on the ends. These are attached to the halyard. There is no way for any straps to be crossed over with each other.
 
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Anonymous

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

I've uploaded a photo of mine here XM Bosun's Chair It looks like a huge Pampers nappy /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif and given the height of my mast, that's what's called for. Is mine anything like yours? If so, it looks as though there might be something missing?
 

fireball

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

you should have a plank of wood to sit in the bottom ... I think you'll find your legs don't go through the holes .... not sure - but I think this is the same as ours ... I'll have a look when we're down the boat next .... (sunday probably!)
 
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Anonymous

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

I'd be grateful - I need something done up the mast and I have a volunteer who will go up Monday - weather permitting. If this is no good then I'll buy a new one but it would be a shame to waste money. Nevertheless, I am not going to take any risks with this - money isn't the issue. Thanks for your help.
 

billcowan

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Good God Lemain, thats not a chair, its supermans pants that you found in a phone box. Just pop them on and Kazoom to the top of the mast!
 

tugboat

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Jeez Lemain have you been chucking steroids in your underwear drawer? See what you mean about the Pampers! Yours is nothing like mine. It's difficult to tell from your pic but be sure the stainless ring is for the lifting. It looks to me like your legs are meant to stick out each side and maybe there are straps that go over the shoulders to keep it up. I think the 'family jewels' might be at some risk and my inclination is to advise purchase of a new one with proper wood seat insert. Also if you buy new you know that it hasn't degraded by sunlight or some contaminant. £30 odd isn't much for peace of mind. If you still aren't sure perhaps show it to a local rigger - if he falls over laughing you'll know what to do /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Lordy me, there's no way I'd go up a mast in them!! Supermans trolleys they are ! There is no way I'd want to get hauled up the mast by my crotch.

They look nothing like what a Bosun's Chair is supposed to look like. It's not worth your own or some elses safety to risk using them.

Buy a new chair, as tugboat pointed out it'll give you and whoever is going up the mast peace of mind (As well as the bonus of being able to walk normally in the future).

Just thought, maybe you could donate them to a local school as comedy PE kit for the kids that forget to bring their own kit <has flashback to the many times I ran around the school field in drizzle wearing massive pink shorts as punishment for forgeting my gear>.
 

salamicollie

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Umm looked at the one I have but not sure they are the same, difficult to tell - all the blue material goes under/behind you - the holes in it are not for your legs!

The big yellow strap with the D Ring is the one you attach the halyard to - this should be fixed.

There should be a small yellow strap and an adjustable waist strap to make a T in front of you - leg either side of the centre, pull up tight while bending over and the nappy of material moulds to your rear - when you hang from the halyard the attachment point ends up quite high so its secure.

It looks like in your picture that the adjustable waist band has been led through one of the plastic rings on the side that are for attaching tool lanyards to....

BTW there is a pocket for a plank but its an extra or make your own.

If not sure, best to find another one.
 

fireball

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Yee Gods!! do you lot have money to throw away?? I've been up masts with nothing more than a tripple bowline!!
The only way these chairs are going to degrade due to sunlight is if someone has been sat in it and the crew at the bottom have forgotten to let them down for weeks!! (ok - or they've been left out on deck)

Taking another look at the photo and remembering how ours goes (I'll still check it tomorrow!)

The XM label is on the back panel
The stainless ring should be attached to the halyard (with another as spare)
The thinner strap should go over the legs (with a crotch strap in the middle) so you'll have to take it out from through that plastic loop on the right.
It should have a short plank in the bottom....

If your really concerned you can borrow ours (we're in chichester - but not the marina!) ... it took me up the mast ok! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

tugboat

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

<has flashback to the many times I ran around the school field in drizzle wearing massive pink shorts as punishment for forgeting my gear>.
Come on then, show us a piccy - I need cheering up! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

tugboat

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

<The only way these chairs are going to degrade due to sunlight is if someone has been sat in it and the crew at the bottom have forgotten to let them down for weeks!! (ok - or they've been left out on deck)>

It seemed a comment worth making as he inherited the equipment with his boat so it's history is unknown. Being a potential life-threatener etc etc
 

KREW2

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

hi
probably a silly question???????? but,
ist it feasible to use a saftey harness or two to pull someone up a mast?
hope there are no health and saftey officers going to lambaste me
 

fireball

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Yes it is possible ... but very uncomfortable for the person being hoisted!! I think I'd go for a triple bowline in 12 or 14mm rope before going for safety harness!!

Are there not any trapeze harnesses around? Not as comfortable as a bosuns chair (well most aren't!) but can be used as an alternative ..
 
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Anonymous

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

The panel with XM on it does say "inside back" on the reverse side but then I get lost. I can't get my legs through the big holes, or the small straps over the top. Did you find out any more when you looked at yours?

I don't believe that this has degraded in the sun - it looks to be in perfect condition - though there may be parts missing. In any case, I wouldn't use it in anger unless I knew exactly how it had been designed to be used as the webbing, material and stitches will have been stressed for a particular method of use.

I really appreciate your kind offer to borrow yours but I managed to resolve the immediate problem on my mast this evening without needing to go up. Though I still need some way to get up the mast safely so it is not 'problem solved'.
 

fireball

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Well .. I picked it up off the boat ... but it must have gone back with the in-laws cos it isn't in the back of the car or with the kit I took out of it ... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I'll find it tomorrow and let you know....

hmm .. perhaps I could start a mast climbing service! I enjoy going up and down - but then I'm not on the winch!!
 
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Anonymous

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

Thanks, I appreciate your help. As for a mast-climbing service, the real issue is how useful the person is when she or he gets up there!
 

fireball

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Re: XM Yachting Bosun\'s Chair

hmm ... screwdriver and a pair of pliers ... can fix most things! just need the wireless camera to relay the image back to the boat owner to receive instructions on what he wants me to do! ...
 
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