Association Forum - Man Overboard

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Man Overboard

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Deltarat
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
69 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/21/2008 : 21:54:44

How much weight can you safeley lift with the boom, using it in a Man overboard situation?

My daughter is paralyzed from the waist down and I was thinking I might be able to get her on and off of the boat using this technique also allowing her to go swimming. Also what is the best way to use the Boom for this technique? Is there something on youtube or another website showing how this is done?

Some mistakes are just too fun to only do once.
1982 C25 #3276
Owl Harbor
Isleton, CA

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 22:37:34

I would want be sure of my topping lift and attachments or attach the main to the end of the boom. The line to the masthead takes takes the tension load and the boom must be secure on the mast to prevent vertical movement and then it is loaded only in compression when the mainsheet assembly or other tackle is attached for lifting.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2008 : 00:53:15

I've thought about using the boom to lift someone but now with the life sling it is faster and safer to use it and the main halyard. If there was a lift point on the boom just far enough out to have clearance to lift someone just up over the side and swing them aboard would be safer than using the end of the boom. It reduces the swing especially if the boat shifts from a wake or wave. The stress on the topping lift or the main halyard from the side is not the design angle, it's pulling the fitting or the pulley sideways. How much weight is safe depends on a lot of factors, size and age of lines or cables, double swagged cables, weight of person, frequency of use and others yet to be listed.

I am sure it can be designed and enjoyed and Dad will test it first. The PFD worn during the operation, in or out would make sure the daughter would just get wet if something fails and it could be a harness too so that you could have a back up lift plan. Anyway just thoughts and hope you get something that works so the daughter gets to sail.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2008 : 14:38:14

What I'd do.

Rig a block attached to the underside of the boom at a point where it will 'swing' through the lifeline gate opening. (You don't want to lift someone over the lifeline or have to drag them through it.) Put a snapshackle or hook with a safety gate on the end of the line.

Then simply run that line aft to the cabin top winch... like you would for a halyard.

i.e. From the block near end of boom to another block at the mast end of the boom, down to the deck level, out to a deck organizer (optional in this case) then to the cabin-top winch.... then to clutch or cleat.
You could leave the line in place while sailing and don't have to mess with any other rigging to lower or recover someone.

I reckon those of us who sail in cold waters should probably have this as a standard part of our rigging. 15 minutes in the icy water here and you probably won't be able climb aboard unassisted.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 12:49:18

Good point about lifting through the gate rather than over the sternrail... but I wonder how much weight can be safely lifted from a single mid-boom attachment point when the boom is supported only by the topping lift at the end? This is similar to the mid-boom sheeting discussions we've had...

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 17:02:26

THe topping lift as a support point is probably not all that bad since these lines even in small diameters are very strong except for the fact that many of us have topping lifts with the original line and so the line strength of an old line is then questionable.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 17:20:36

With modern line you get high strength with small diameter. For instance 3/16" Sta-Set-X has a breaking strength of 1,600lbs. !/4" line can carry over a ton.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 17:33:37

Thanks for checking out the actual strength of small diameter line. I knew those small lines are very strong. But my line is the original one...now almost 20 years old and probably should be replaced if it were to be considered for anything more than holding up the boom.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 19:08:18

I was just down at the boat (nice day but no wind).
The 'swing point' on the boom that will clear the gate area is going to be fairly close to the end.

Yes, your topping lift and associated rigging will need to be up to snuff.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.