Jacklines Revisited

Shipscarver · Post by **Shipscarver** » Apr 25th, '10, 09:36

Jackline discussions usually center on rigging to get back aboard. But, when I went in the Bay I learned I could not get back aboard.

Research tells me I had a better chance of drowning than getting back aboard once over the side and in tow. Now I have pad eyes to clip into on both sides of the cockpit (keeps me in the cockpit), but how do I rig the lines to stay onboard going forward?

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Apr 25th, '10, 11:44

I have thought about jumping overboard with a tether on to see what it's like. I have never been able to bring myself to do it.

I would be interested to hear more about your experience.

Raven has four pad eyes in the cockpit. Two I can reach from the companionway and two are just aft of the wheel. The forward one's sometimes do double duty to secure an extra jug of diesel. When at the helm I clip into the high side.

When rigging my jack lines, I snug them up against the cabin and always go forward on the high side. Once I get to the mast I clip a short tether to the windward shroud. When at the bow I will stay clipped to the jack line but also clip the short tether to a life line.

You may still be able to be tossed overboard but I would much rather drag behind the boat than watch it sail away, Steve.

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » Apr 25th, '10, 13:51

Not that we always observed it 100% of the time but:

There was a sort of rule we sometimes followed that said that when you went foreward, especially when sailing single handed, you slacked off the jib sheet so that it was depowered and barely drawing.

By doing this, should something bad happen, the boat would round up and nose into the wind, the main sail would luff and hopefully, the boat wouldn't sail off into the sunset.

O J

Emil Maurer · Post by **Emil Maurer** » Apr 25th, '10, 15:39

One inch tape from the winch stand base to the bow and returning to the opposite side winch stand, lays flat and makes for less tripping than line underfoot which tends to roll.

If I need to go forward to the bow in any kind of high waves and I am single handing, I also attach the harness D-rings to a spinnaker (spare) halyard running to the top of the mast in addition to the tether on the deck. This provides a belay from above and below and prevents your dangling from the end of a tether over the side. I came to this once when the bow suddenly dropped down leaving me a very surprised six feet above the deck up in the air.

I have read about (Brian Toss, rigger) using line for jacklines which are lashed five feet or so above deck to a shroud. This also keeps the walkway clear of jack lines, A bull's eye cable cleat can also be used to run the line through like a furling line guide.

Collected wisdom has it that a pooping wave from the stern in a high seaway has washed unwary mariners off the companionway steps. It is a good idea to have padeyes in the cockpit that you can reach and tether to before coming up the ladder. ( In such conditions you need to keep the companionway boards in, to keep seas out ot the cabin.
A year or two ago two guys sailing up the coast from FL to Maine got caught in a storm off Long Island, foundered in pooping seas and required a Mayday rescue. They did not have their boards in and the cabin filled with water.

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Apr 25th, '10, 16:10

Oswego John wrote:Not that we always observed it 100% of the time but:

There was a sort of rule we sometimes followed that said that when you went foreward, especially when sailing single handed, you slacked off the jib sheet so that it was depowered and barely drawing.

By doing this, should something bad happen, the boat would round up and nose into the wind, the main sail would luff and hopefully, the boat wouldn't sail off into the sunset.

O J

All bets are off with wind vanes and auto pilots, Steve.

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » Apr 25th, '10, 16:36

Steve Laume wrote: All bets are off with wind vanes and auto pilots, Steve.

Yes indeed. Also add lashed helms and, if not sailing, iron gennies to the list. Any way you look at the situation, you must take all precautions.

It's something to think about,
O J

Ocean Girl · Post by **Ocean Girl** » Apr 25th, '10, 17:04

I rigged my boats to NOT allow me to fall over board. This meant having a two tether system attached to my harness (one short 3 feet and one long 5ft). I also made shorter jack lines so there is less stretch. SO the up side -you cannot fall overboard. The down side is that you must stop every 10 feet and click into the next stretch of jack line, and it was very restricting at times. The single jack line was placed in the center of the boat and we'd test the layout before going offshore. I was crewing on all sorts of boats, so the design changed from boat to boat, but the principle stayed the same- two tethers and short pieces of jackline sections so the stretch in small.

This strategy worked perfectly when I was thrown by a rogue wave in the Atlantic (at night). I was the only person on deck and was midship when the wave hit. I flew backwards and still recall watching the tether as it straightened and yanked me back in right when my butt hit the lifelines. WHEW!!!

Hope that helps
Erika

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Apr 25th, '10, 19:11

Here's how I do it. That flat blue line (webbing) on the port side coming from the bail on the bow pulpit is a jackline. It's run all the way aft, along the base of the coach roof, inside all rigging, to the aft stern cleat. There's one for the starboard side too, it's just not rigged in this photo. All adjustments are made at the stern cleats from the cockpit.

<a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... G_1000.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="600" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 0.jpg"></a>

Both jacklines are rigged in the photo below:

<a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... G_1271.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="600" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 1.jpg"></a>

Note the blue webbing jacklines on the two rafted boats below (mine's the boat on the left):

<a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 133363.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="600" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 3.jpg"></a>

Here are some more views:

<a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... G_1409.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="600" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 9.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... G_1463.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="600" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 3.jpg"></a>

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Sea Hunt · Post by **Sea Hunt** » Apr 26th, '10, 00:19

Shipscarver wrote:Jackline discussions usually center on rigging to get back aboard. But, when I went in the Bay I learned I could not get back aboard.
Research tells me I had a better chance of drowning than getting back aboard once over the side and in tow.

In my opinion, for what little it may be worth, Shipscarver is 100% accurate.

I preface my comments with the statement that I am a true rookie sailor; I do not have jack lines on S/V Tadpole; I do not have tethers; to my knowledge I have never been on a sailboat that had jack lines rigged. My experience and observations comes solely from a lifetime of being in and under the water and climbing aboard many different types of boats.

I hesitate to make these statements because I know I have no practical experience or training in going overboard while attached to a jack line, tether and PFD/harness. I honestly apologize to anyone who is offended or insulted or thinks I should not be making these statements and observations. All I can offer in defense is my comments are well intended.

In my younger days I had a lot of experience in climbing aboard small boats and skiffs that had minimal freeboard. Sometimes the boats were stationary, sometimes moving at about 1- 1.5 kts more or less. I was then in excellent physical condition. It was not easy to do, even with minimal equipment.

Today, despite wanting to believe it so, the fact is I am not in the same physical condition I was back then. I also do not have the upper body strength I had back then. I shamefully think of myself these days as average at best. I still climb aboard small boats a lot but they are definitely stationary and I use my fins a lot more for lift than I used to.

As I have said, I am no expert and have no experience in this particular area. However, it is my firm belief that a person going overboard while on a jack line is in serious, serious trouble. It is one thing if you are knocked backwards a little while on a very short tether with minimal stretch (2'-3'). You hopefully wonâ€™t end up with your body weight on the outside of the hull. You can pull yourself back to a secure position. However, if you are on a 6' tether and you end up with your body hanging over the side of the hull with some or most of your body in the water, with your PFD inflated, and your sailboat is moving, I would respectfully suggest it will be almost impossible to pull yourself far enough up the side of the hull to even grab onto a stanchion or the toe rail - let alone have the strength to pull yourself up onto the deck. Also, unless your PFD/harness has crotch straps, your harness will be up around your neck very quickly from the force being exerted by boat speed, the water and your body weight.

If anyone doubts the degree of difficulty involved try it this Summer on a warm, sunny afternoon with your sailboat well anchored. Make sure there are 1-2 (or more) sailors on board and that you have figured out how you will get aboard when you canâ€™t pull yourself aboard. Hopefully you have a boarding ladder to deploy. Put on your harness and attach your tether to the jack line and jump over the side (or fall over the side as would happen in a real life scenario-you do want the "full effect" experience don't you

). It is my understanding tethers can be bought with "quick disconnect" clips. I believe this is a good thing to have on a tether.

I would be very surprised if 1 out of 50 could climb aboard unassisted (active duty Marine Recons, SEALs, Rangers, PJs and SFs do not count in the calculation) . I honestly do not believe I could do it although I would try like hell. "Never give up. Never quit. Never surrender. Never, Never, Never". And this is in calm water, with an anchored sailboat, and anticipating the event.

Should I ever be fortunate enough to own a Cape Dory 25D and take her anywhere out of sight of land it would be my plan to make sure I do not go overboard period. Whatever it takes; I will not go overboard. If that means a 2'-3' tether with 6,000 lbs. load capacity and a jack line bolted to the deck every 3' with Â½" diam padeyes and backing plates, then so be it. If I do go overboard, it would be my plan to be wearing a PFD, a knife, a strobe, a mirror, a whistle, and possibly a small personal EPIRB. I would quickly disconnect from the tether. My CD 25D will be able to take care of herself, hopefully. I will stay focused on staying afloat, staying calm and waiting for a passing boat, low flying plane, etc.

David van den Burgh · Post by **David van den Burgh** » Apr 26th, '10, 10:26

I realize each of us knows our boat best, so I hesitate to say this, but I'd be reluctant to trust that welded support (bail) that secures the forward end of your jackline. We've had one pop loose with only moderate force. I'd be inclined to either attach the jackline to the stem fitting or add a padeye specifically for that purpose. At the very least, I'd wrap a strap around the pulpit base down low and attach the jackline there.

<img width="320" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... G_1000.jpg">

FWIW.

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » Apr 26th, '10, 10:40

I run mine from a forward bow cleat, along the side of the cabin top, take several wraps around the winch base and finish off at a stern cleat.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Apr 26th, '10, 11:09

My jacklines run between padeyes I installed specifcly for the purpose. On the forward end I put in a padyeye right behind the bowsprit, on the aft end I installed padeyes right by the cockpit coamings. I then measured the length and bought webbing, then took it to a sail maker to have them sew reinforced loops in each end so they are custom fit to that length (rather then tying knots in the webbing which always seemed iffy to me, the loops attach to the padeyes via shackles). I agree that attaching to the pulpit base is iffy, first of all leading the jacklines there makes them go more forward and outboard then they need to be, and its attaching to something never intended to take such potential loads. With a 6' tether you can easily reach the forestay furler if you need to for a jam or remove the ail with your attachment point behind the bowsprit, so having it that far forward is doing you no good at all and actually doing harm.

As for jacklines that make it impossible to go overboard, thats pretty difficult. Centerline jacklines can do it aft of the mast, but forward of the mast it does less good, and frequent jackline changes are likely nessisary. Also in any offshore situation where you might be using jacklines you might have a dinghy, liferaft or other thing in the way mounted centerline. I do not and can not with other things the way, run centerline jacklines. I can clip on before leaving the cockpit, I always go up the windward side, but if something freekish happens and I get pushed by a wave over the windward side I am screwed. Windward side is harder to get aboard then the leeward side, not that either is a cakewalk.

Good sense is important. When underway I always crawl, I never ever stand on deck, stay on the high side. Crawling and keeping low actually gives the lifelines a chances to help you (anything other then crawl they are nothing more then false sense of security).

Single handing its pretty much assured if you go overboard, you are done for. A tether is to help you stay aboard and that is all you should expect from it. I have done drills with friends aboard to see how difficult it would be to get aboard, as well as how difficult it would be to pull on a windvane trip line. Unless you are superman, neither are humanly possble, and I nearly dislocated both of my shoulders trying to find out, 6 knots does not seem fast, but being drug by a sailboat at that speed with the resistance of the sea on your entire body its a HUGE force.

So I have continuely tweaked my boat as I could find and I could afford to avoid leaving the cockpit. Begining with changing the staysail to furling after a few ugly expeirencing going forward to douse it (if its blowing nasty enough that the staysail has to come down you do not want to be on deck!) and more recently to leading all my lines aft (which involved buying a new boom with internal reefing lines, a strongtrack for the main, deck organizers, etc...). Leading main sail lines aft is an obvious advantage, but its not so simple as stick a block on deck and it works, it takes a ton of planning and investment in good gear to have it actually work so you dont have to go forward to unjam something thus defeating the purpose.

If you can manage a centerline jackline system, by all means do it, its better, so long as you always are anal about switching and clipping on. Forward of the mast centerline does not matter so much, but still better then jacklines to the bowsprit. If solo doing everything you can to keep yourself from having to go on deck is the best investment in my opinion. And the occational time I take on crew, among my many many crew rules is that NO ONE LEAVES THE COCKPIT WITHOUT SOMEONE ELSE AWAKE AND ALERT AND WATCHING THE ENTIRE TIME.

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Apr 26th, '10, 12:34

David van den Burgh wrote:I realize each of us knows our boat best, so I hesitate to say this, but I'd be reluctant to trust that welded support (bail) that secures the forward end of your jackline. We've had one pop loose with only moderate force. I'd be inclined to either attach the jackline to the stem fitting or add a padeye specifically for that purpose. At the very least, I'd wrap a strap around the pulpit base down low and attach the jackline there.

<img width="320" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... G_1000.jpg">

FWIW.

I used to run them from the bow cleats aft but stopped doing that since I had to remove them to use the bow cleats for anything else. And our previous jacklines had a loop in one end instead of a snaphook. Either way, the cleats were hard to use with the jacklines attached, so I switched to the pulpit bails. I guess I'll need to think about installing a couple of padeyes up forward.

In addition to the jacklines we have 3 padeyes in the cockpit for clipping our tethers. Anyway, we plan on staying aboard!

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Apr 26th, '10, 12:50

Cathy Monaghan wrote:
I guess I'll need to think about installing a couple of padeyes up forward.

You only need one, its a 15min job to put in, not a big deal and so well worth it.

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Apr 26th, '10, 13:02

If you subscribe to Practical Sailor, in the May 2010 issue (Volume 36, Number 5, May 2010), there's an article called "Shedding Light on Safety". The first couple of sentences of the articled are below. I thought you might be interested in it, since the test boat was a Cape Dory 25 and the subject matter is jacklines. Anyway, if you're a subscriber, look for it in the newest issue.

Practical Sailor wrote:A recent ocean raceâ€”aboard a Cape Dory 25 sans lifelines in 30- to 40-knot winds and 5- to 10-foot seasâ€”presented a good opportunity to sea-trial Wichardâ€™s Lyfâ€™Safe jackline kit......

Oh -- thanks Russell

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rayway, NJ
Raritan Bay

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