Page 53 - Des Pawson "Des Pawson's Knot Craft" 2 edit.

KNOTCRAFT 2009:Layout 1 23/10/09 12:17 Page 52

A Bosun’s

Chair/Swing

HE OLD STYLE Bosun’s Chair with its wooden seat may in
Tmany places be replaced with the all-canvas and webbing
item derived from mountaineering harnesses, but it still has a
place on many traditional and commercial ships. A number of
times I have been asked to make a substantial garden swing that
adults can swing on with comfort and safety and have built the
swing on the wooden seat of a Bosun’s Chair.
Whether it will be used as a Bosun’s Chair on board ship, or
a garden swing, there is a proper way to reeve the suspension
rope through the holes in the corners of the plank that forms
the seat. The rope should cross under the plank diagonally
because in the event of part of the rope wearing out, there is still
some support for the seat. These diagonals also help the seat to
sit level. Chafe is the enemy of rope, and nowhere more so than
in a swing, so it is a very good idea to round and fair the holes
through which the rope passes before reeving the rope. All rope
eyes should be protected with thimbles. People’s safety is at
stake, so please check for wear before using.

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