"Joe" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 2, 5:25 pm, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:
"Maxprop" wrote in message

nk.net...

If you're using the spliced-on shackle on the halyard to secure the
halyard to your bosun's chair, you're a bigger fool than I've been
thinking you are. Hope your insurance is paid up.

Anybody using a bosun's chair at all isn't too bright. A bosun's
chair,
while quaint is another "thing of the past." Every serious sailor has
mast steps of one sort or another installed. Serious sailors who know
what they're doing have installed folding mast steps. These don't
represent a snag for halyards or sails and they reduce windage aloft.
This nonsense of winching somebody up in a bosun's chair is repair by
committee. It is a foolish and dangerous act. One man should be able
to
make his way safely and unassisted up the mast in all but the
roughest
of conditions. Mast steps are the only way one man can do this.

Wilbur Hubbard

I use both if needed.
If I plan to be aloft for a while I bring the chiar even with steps
http://sports.webshots.com/photo/138...63212926ANQKPO

Joe

That's entirely acceptable. You're using the bosun's chair as a handy
place to keep your tools and supplies and to perhaps rest up a bit. But
you go aloft using the steps and you descend using the steps. For time
consuming or major jobs that's a good way to do them. I have found that
many jobs are of short duration. Things such as removing a defective VHF
antenna and replacing it with a new one, lubing the anemometer sending
unit, straightening the arms on the Windex if a big bird bends them,
cleaning and waxing the standing rigging, lubricating the sheaves,
replacing a burned out steaming light bulb, replacing a topping lift
sheave, etc. etc. I just love seeing yachts with hank-on gennys. Keep
up the good work.

Wilbur Hubbard