Using a Bos'en chair

[CowbaySailor]

How do you set up to use a Bos'en chair ? I what to replace my main and head sail halyards but I need to see what kind of shape and size the sheaves are in. Can this be done alone or do I need someone else with me. Is it just simply using the wench ?

[mitiempo]

Hello again.

First you need a halyard to use on the chair that you can trust with your life - you will be.

The chair - available at West Marine and many other marine stores - will look like the one below from Harken. The halyard is attached to the rings at the top. I like a bowline with a bit of a tail and a locking turn so it can't come undone. Some use a shackle. A line should be tied to the chair so you can tie it to something solid at the top.

Tools taken should be on tethers so they can't fall.

Be sure to take a camera up. Both to take pics of the masthead for reference and pictures of the boat you can't get any other way. There's a great view from up there.

If this seems daunting maybe there is someone else on the dock that can help.

[sawingknots]

also it doesn't hurt to have someone you trust [with your life]manning the winch

[jrd22]

I prefer a climbing harness to a chair (a big wall harness is the best), more comfortable and you can't fall out of it if something unexpected happens. Just my personal preference, either get's the job done.
You'll need at least one other person to hoist you up and I tie into a second halyard as a back up to the one attached to my harness, cleat the second off every ten feet or so.

[celenoglu]

I normally climb alone, with two ascenders that mountaneers use. One is secured to the cahir and the other one to a loop that you can swtand on and climb up. Instead of moving the rope up, you climb the stationary rope. It is safe and world wide used by the mountaneers and some sailors. Any how it is a good idea to have someone on board to help you with the tools and in case something goes wrong.

[CaptainForce]

Originally Posted by celenoglu

..........it is a good idea to have someone on board to help you with the tools and in case something goes wrong.

....and, though it may seem obvious, the person aboard should not be standing under the guy aloft handling the tools.

[Stu Jackson]

You can LOOK at the sheaves, but if you're up on one of the halyards you most likely won't be able to replace the sheaves 'cuz your weight will be on them. Unless you have separate forward and aft sheaves.

[treb001]

Attach mast steps. Then use a combination of steps and chair. Its a long, hard fall if you fall.

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by celenoglu

I normally climb alone, with two ascenders that mountaneers use. One is secured to the cahir and the other one to a loop that you can swtand on and climb up. Instead of moving the rope up, you climb the stationary rope. It is safe and world wide used by the mountaneers and some sailors. Any how it is a good idea to have someone on board to help you with the tools and in case something goes wrong.

So what do you do to descend when you're alone?

Reversing the ascenders seems tedious? do you lower yourself on a different halyard?

[jrd22]

He probably changes to a rappel device and lowers himself down.