General Category - Pearson Owners and Enthusiasts > General Discussion

Boatswains chair: $200... rock climbing harness.. $40..

(1/1)

The Great Godsea:
is there any particular reason i really should pay so much more for one over the other? they both accomplish basically the same thing no?

Carolina Dog:
My suspicion is the harness is designed for climbing which is to say its support is concentrated at the waist as opposed to the chair which allows long periods of sitting comfort while you swear at the mess you are trying to straighten out (whatever precipitated a trip to the top). On the other hand if I had steps or some other foot support while aloft I would consider it. Maybe find one of those outfitters with a rock wall (REI has them) and try it out first

Just my 2 cent opinion and probably worth a lot less,

selene:
I actually use both.

The Bosun's Chair (depending on the design) tends to be more comfortable, like a chair; they often have side pockets for tools, which is very useful.

I also use a harness, and go up with 2 halyards.  Yeah, probably overkill, and needs a couple of helpers instead of just one...but the Admiral worries. 

The rock climbing harness is generally a simple affair which prevents you from plunging to your doom - not designed for long periods sitting there while you are working. 'Dog summarised it well.  Some designs are more comfortable than others, but even so, if you are sitting and working on something, a Bosun's Chair is generally  the way to go.

Hope this helps!

The Great Godsea:
Thank you folks for the sage advice.

Dave:
Not just comfort, but safety. I was up the mast for at least a half hour in a poor fitting harness changing the anchor light. The leg loop slid up, cut off my circulation. I told my wife to get me down fast when my thigh started to throb. By the time I was down I was very faint. It was during the trip up the mast in the picture. Never again in just a vinyl harness.

Navigation

[0] Message Index