Bosun Harness

[sailaway21]

Max,
Studying the lifting point on that leads me to believe that you're going to be tilted back during use also. Which means that you'll need one hand to hold yourself upright to work and that's not what you want in a chair. I could be wrong; a picture of someone using it might confirm one way or another. You want your thighs horizontal when working aloft or, at a minimum, it's going to be hard on your back. Sweat I could live with. Dog's just a girly man. (g)

[knothead]

Originally Posted by max-on

As I returned my bosun harness to WM due to the recall, I am in search of another. What do you think of this one?

Max, I have tried all sorts of chairs and have found that I can pretty much get used to how they feel. At least enough to get the job done. I have never found a chair that I enjoyed spending more than a few hours in.
I always have to sew on thing like safety straps, pockets, drill holsters, etc. I have often used webbing to reinforce spots that I didn't feel good about. I've added cushions and attached small lines to tie stuff to.
To feel comfortable in your chair you will have to customize it and spend some time in it.
If you only go up once or twice a season, to change a light bulb or attach a windex, then just about anything will do. Including a two by six, some line and a canvas bucket.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by max-on

Now that you guys have managed to hijack my inquiry, thanks.

SD, I agree.

Ok smartas(I will leave remaining letters blank as Cam will just delete anyways as some of the pus(oh leave those letters out too) around here will be offended), what would you recommend.

I do not like your choice for many reasons.

First, it does not have a lot of pockets which you will need. You don't want to keep going up and down the mast or you will lose your help. Not to mention, once up there, you need will want to get it done and get down. It needs to have a pocket(s) big enough for a cordless drill and a mesh small enough to hold screws. I like also having a line hanging off so you can tie some tools to it (or as I use it, to safely secure some tools should you accidenally drop them).

As SD mentioned, it will be hot and sitcky. I strongly prefer fabric.

Also, I think that would hurt my back after a while. My strong perference is for a hard seat where I can wiggle some to releave pressure off my back. I have a disc problem at L5-S1, which amplifies this issue. I think it would kill my back after a while. The hard bottoms are better, I have found, at allowing you to wiggle some to relieve pressure.

I believe mine is the Plastimo, but Harken makes one similar. Mine is the Professional model as I recall, but I will double check this weekend. You can review them at this site:

Plastimo USA

You can purchase them here or anywhere else of your choice:

Plastimo Professional bosun’s chair Shop.Sailnet.com - sailing resources, shopping, sail, blogs

- CD

[sailingdog]

I like the climbing harnesses better than the bosun's chairs... probably because I grew up technical rock climbing...and am more familiar with them. I usually have a bucket or bag hoisted with me, to hold all the stuff I'll be using. It is simpler to me than having to transfer tools and such to a bosun's chair each time I'm going to use it. Put leashes on the heavier items, so your deck and cabin top don't suffer when they slip out of your hands...and they will.

Bubb-

If you get them to wax the deck and then immediately send them up the mast, and drop them when they're done... they won't be able to complain to anyone....

[labatt]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

a good wax job would be better

That's what I told my wife the other day! Oh wait, this is a sailing forum. Sorry.

[max-on]

Thanks for the replies and recommendations.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by max-on

As I returned my bosun harness to WM due to the recall, ...

Holy smokes! Just two days ago we hauled one of my best friend's daughters up to the top of our mast in one of those we borrowed from a fellow club-member! She doesn't weigh 100 lbs, but still...

Just sent an email off to the owner of the chair, pointing out the Taylor Made recall notice.

Jim