[C320-list] raising a bosun's chair

[Chris Burti]

The ascending knots I referenced earlier are the
simplest and safest way to go. When there is no weight
on the knot it will slide up or down. As soon as there
is any pressure it will sieze like an elevator brake. 

The loop goes through the lift rings on the chair and
the knot is tied around the safety halyard, which is
itself tied off securely to a winch or cleat.

You push the knot up the tied off halyard with your
hand you as you rise. If the halyard you are being
hauled up with breaks (or your helper slips), the knot
will grab and hold up the chair. When pressure is
released by pulling yourself up on the safety halyard,
the knot can be pushed down to ease you on down.

When you get comfortable with this very reliable
technique, you can tie a second knot with two loops
under the first. You put your feet in the loops and
stand. Your weight locks it and you push the upper
knot as high as you can. Then you sit and as your
weight locks the chair, you pull up the lower knot
with your toes (requires hard soled shoes). Looks sort
of like a catapillar climbing, but is very effective
if your helper is too light to be useful winching you
up.

cb

--- Koen Bennebroek <vergaar2004-catalina at yahoo.com>
wrote:

> Do you really need the turning block or can you use
> the bow roller as Mike pointed out? Also, if you use
> the spinaker halyard as backup, how/where do you
> secure it? Do you raise a couple of feet, re-secure
> backup, raise, re-secure, etc?
> I'm looking for a 2-person system as I am unlikely
> to
> be alone on the boat.
> 
> Thanks for all your input, this is very helpful!
> 
> -Koen
> 
> --- Stan <ola7442000 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > Hi Koen,
> > 
> > We use the windlass all the time to raise me to
> the
> > top of the mast.  We
> > attach a turning block to the pulpit.  Reverse the
> > main halyard.  Use the
> > spinnaker halyard for a safety and I'm at the top
> in
> > seconds.  Has always
> > worked great.
> > 
> > Stan
> > "Our Little Amusement" #744
> > 
> > 
> > On 8/21/06, Koen Bennebroek
> > <vergaar2004-catalina at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > I finally got a bulb for our deck light half-way
> > up the mast. Now I just
> > > need to get it in. WM had a pocket bosun's chair
> > on sale, so I ordered it.
> > > Now the question becomes, how to get it up
> there?
> > We have a spinaker halyard
> > > that we can backup with the main halyard for
> > safety (or vice-versa). Can we
> > > use the anchor windlass for this? Or are there
> > other preferred methods, like
> > > routing it over the 2 jib winches? Is using 2
> > halyards enough safety or are
> > > there other safety precautions to think of?
> > >
> > > Any advice is highly appreciated!
> > >
> > > Thanks, Koen
> > > (BigCat, #224, 1995)
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > Stan
> > C320 "Our Little Amusement" #744
> > __/)__/)__/)__/)__
> > 
> 
> 
> 


Chris Burti
"Commitment"
Catalina 320, #867, 
Farmville, NC

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