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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Jack lines

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redmans
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/29/2005 : 15:30:58

I'll be single handing a 29 Catalina over a few days in So Cal next month. I've got a jack line and inflatable harness, but am having touble finding clear direction on fastening the jack lines to the boat. It seems to me that with an 11' beam and a 6' tether I'm not really quaranteed of not going over the side no matter how I tie the jack line(s) on. I understand the need to stay attached to the boat, but how would one move to the stern while in the water? Wouldn't the tension on the tether over the lifelines get it hung up on the stanchons?

Thanks! Skip

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2005 : 16:01:52

I attended a GLSS Safety Seminar a few years ago and the consensus on tethers was that the tether should be short enough to not allow you to go over the rail.

Also at this seminar, they talked about one of their own who, during a race, had fallen overboard while tethered. The tether was long enough to allow him to go over the side, but he couldn't get back aboard. They surmised that he struggled for quite a bit while being pounded by the amidships hull before losing the battle.

They also recommended having a knife with scabbard attached to the harness in the event that one needed to cut loose from the boat.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2005 : 17:43:45

Skip,

I've rigged my safety harness with an additional 15 foot teather, folded and velcroed to the shoulder strap. This teather has a snap shackled made to the D ring just as the primary six foot tether and a caribiner.

If going over the side and hung as Don described, the caribiner of the 15 tether will be made through the web eye of the primary tether. This will then allow releasing the primary tether's snap shackle gaining fifteen feet of tether to reach the swim ladder.

This assumes the ability to release the primary tether snap shackle under load and surviving a possible severe jerk. There are many who claim that if one goes over the side single handed that it means death... I think an extension tether might give some percentage off that claim. Be sure to test the caribiner for its ability to go through the web eye of the snap shackle on the primary tether.

Do not misconstrue that any freedom to be less careful about staying aboard is earned by the tether extension... I agree with Don, stay aboard, going over the side has a proven record of reducing ones chances of growing old.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 07/29/2005 17:48:13

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2005 : 19:33:49

There are several schools of thought here, and some consensus. As someone who solo's several hundred miles from shore twice a year i have given it quite a bit of thought.

I don't see the tether from keeping me from going over the rail, and still giving me enough freedom to move. One of the rules is to hitch on before leaving the safety of the cockpit and then being able to reach half the boat without un-hitching re-hitching. One solution is to have two tethers, another is to have a long enough tether. My jacklines run outside the shrouds (which are inboard the side deck on the 42) and over everything I have running athwartship. So, I can move around without messing with the tether.

But, that would allow me to go over the side. I have a snapshackle with a short beaded pull on it. I have tested it under my full weight, and it will release. At this point I am no longer connected to the boat of course. Before that I will try to work my way aft. The jackline runs all the way aft. With the 6 foot tether I can get around to the stern. The 42 has a generous swim platform (the poop deck) which, in any kind of seaway is at or below sea level half the time. You can almost swim aboard.

I like Arlyn's idea with the additional long tether.

One thing I would like to add is that I have made a concerted effort to increase my arm strenght, and with that my chances of survival. In the opening between the kitchen and my office I mounted a pull up bar...(your local sporting goods supply $20 or so) Several times a day I walk under it and do a few pull ups. I actually imagine myself hanging over the side of Lady Kay for a little dose of simulated reality The first day I could do one, barely. I can now do five long and slow or 10 shorter ones. I can feel my strenght increasing. The other day I had to get on my boom to sight the mainsail track to see if the mast was in column....the top of the sail is 5-6 feet off the deck....I grabbed the main halyard and was surprised at how easy I pulled myself up, hand over hand....

Something to consider.

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2005 : 20:42:58

Scarey stuff, going overboard. The consensus among the single-handed crew on Sailing Anarchy, shared by Bruce Schwab of Ocean Planet fame, is that if you go over, you're done. BUT - that's if you're offshore, without anyone happening by.

When I'm solo, I clip in on the highside of the boat and always move around up there. At the mast, have a short teather so that you can work without going over. Its actually really nice when its good and rough; the teather keeps you in place freeing both hands to work as necessary.

I tend to stick my handheld VHF in my pocket when I'm solo. Most of the places most of us sail our boats someone will come along before too, too long, and might be able to help. Its a race against cold water, but its better than nothing.

Interestingly, the hardcore offshore solo guys wear a harness but not flotation. As one friend put it: I'd rather drown in a few hours, than die of exposure and thirst in a few days! Personally, I'd rather stay on the boat!

Has anyone explored trailing a line and putting a couple of mountaineering ascenders on it? Seems you might be able to make a few inches at a time back toward the boat.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2005 : 09:20:02

Once again, Oscar has shown us how much smarts he has. His comment about working on gaining strength as a safety issue is right on the mark.
speaking for myself, I'm 54 years old and getting arthritis in my shoulders, elbows, knees, etc., I'm trying to keep it in check. I do anesthesia for a living, and thus work with many orthopedic surgeons, (so get lots of free advice)and concensus is that working out will help to keep arthritis in check. That's in addition to all the other health benefits.

Oscar, since you are working out at home (I go to a gym for weights, and do some cardio at home on a Schwinn air-dyne) you may want to get a set of those springs with handles on each end. This will work your delts, in addition to the lats, and simulate the pulling of your lines.

I'll be installing jacklines myself sometime in the near future, right now I'm still upgrading my rigging.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2005 : 10:42:42

Thanks Gloss. Actually I use the two handles with the surgical tube in between, they don't rust or scratch anything. Comes in different strengths and fits in my overnight bag. On the boat it hangs on the ships bell. Also at your sporting goods store for $20 or so. I also do crunches and pushups. Crunches help with raising my main. I raise it without winch, except for the tensioning at the end....all 50 feet of it...and that baby is heavy, Grinding the 450 sqft genny also helps...solo tack fests up a narrow bay are quite a workout. Kinda like going to the gym, but better scenery. :)

Approaching fifty myself, and am starting to see the fast divergence of those of my peers that fight the process and those that don't care. It's scary.

In addition to all the above, I have the whole family enrolled in Karate. The 7 year old benefits from a little concentration and discipline, my 12 year old daughter will be able to explain NO to the drunk sophomore when she go's out on her own later, and the wife and I are staying flexible and in balance. Our reflexes stay good, and, we'll be able to carry ourselves with confidence when we get older and keep the arthritis, stiffness and general deterioration and a few punks at bay. It's all good.

Sorry about the highjack here....

Edited by - Oscar on 07/30/2005 10:50:17

redmans
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2005 : 15:20:20

Thanks for the helpful and prompt replies fellows - all very sage advice. I too have considered streaming a life aft hoping I have the discipline to remember to not start the engine while it's out. If I may, can I get some direction on where you tie your jack lines and how you know them for max tension/min stretch?

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2005 : 17:28:16

Mine are tied to stanchion/pulpit bases. I have pretty hefty hardware and it's all attached with four nuts/bolts each....If I rip the rail out my chest is toast.

I keep them fairly loose, and they stretch when they get wet. I do have the flat ones. Again, my object is to have enough leash to get around the back of the boat and onto the poop deck.

With all this talk about this I'm going to have to try this now.....

Edited by - on

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