Bosuns Chair

[elia]

I keep my boat at a yard with the mast up, and periodically have to do some work aloft. using a Bosuns Chair would be much easier then lowering the mast, but I am not sure if the mast is up to the challenge. Has anyone had any experience with a Bosuns Chair on a Mac 26?

Thanks,

Elia

[ManassasPaul]

I just got my boat and at the moment it is on the trailer, but I don't think that the boat is anyhwere near, big enough to manage the weight aloft. In otherwords, MacGregor advertised that when the mast was pulled down to the waterline it takes 160 lbs to keep it there(from the X video I think), so even if you aren't that heavy, just picture fly fishing

On edit: Your the fly.

[kmclemore]

Apart from Paul's statement about how you may end up pulling the boat over, that mast and rigging is pretty thin and skimpy - and although it does take considerable load when the wind's up, I still don't think I'd trust my (concentrated) 200lbs on it!

[elia]

Thanks for the responses. I don't think that I would have tried it on the water, only when it was on the trailer. However since you mentioned it I will make sure I keep the pulling the boat over factor in mind.

I spoke with Bill at MacGregor, and he said that the mast on the M was designed, and manufactured with thicker walls than previous models. He thought it might be possible, and will check with the technical experts out there to get their thoughts. When he gets back to me I will post their views.

The way he talked the difference between the M and previous models was significant. If that is in fact the case, and if you have an X that needs a new mast you might consider upgrading to an M mast.

[Moe]

My concern would be the tiny, in my case no-name, cheek block up top held on the mast by screws tapped into the aluminum mast's boltrope cove.

--
Moe

[norbert]

NEVER try to get up the mast of a tiny trailer boat with a bosun's chair! 1- you will break the mast and/or rigging. 2- if not you'll tip the boat over. btwe it is much more trouble and effort to climb up a mast than lower it with the raising system. get on a pier and turn the boat carefully with the stern against the wall, and you can easily work on the mast top.