Can anyone explain to me how a safety harness set up works. Specifically I am wondering about the differnece between Jacklines and Tethers; what should anchor to the boat; and where it should anchor.
Thanks,
James
jtmceach@aol.com
safety harness
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Kevin L.
Teathers and Jack Lines
A Jack Line is either a line or flat webbing that is routed around the perimeter of your decks from stern to bow and back to stern. I tie mine to one stern cleat, route up and through the bow cleats, and then back to the other stern cleat. Webbing, though more expensive than line, has the advantage of not rolling under your feet.
Tethers are five to six foot long lengths of (usually 1 in.) webbing with shackles at each end to attach to the jack line and your harness. Be careful what kind of shackles you choose. I prefer a simple carrabiner type shackle at the jack line end with a quick-release snap shackle (similar to your jib halyards) at the harness end.
Harnesses are available as either simple webbing fabrications or as combination PFD's which can be either manually or automatically inflated.
Personally, I hate the restriction of a harness, but wouldn't go out in the ocean without one.
Kevin LeMans
CD30 Raconteur
lemans@gte.net
Tethers are five to six foot long lengths of (usually 1 in.) webbing with shackles at each end to attach to the jack line and your harness. Be careful what kind of shackles you choose. I prefer a simple carrabiner type shackle at the jack line end with a quick-release snap shackle (similar to your jib halyards) at the harness end.
Harnesses are available as either simple webbing fabrications or as combination PFD's which can be either manually or automatically inflated.
Personally, I hate the restriction of a harness, but wouldn't go out in the ocean without one.
Kevin LeMans
CD30 Raconteur
lemans@gte.net
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Neil Gordon
Re: safety harness
I have webbing that's used for jacklines from the bow cleats to the stern cleats, with several turns taken on the wince base just because it's convenient to do so (it keeps the jacklines out of the way of the winches).
Some additional points...
The tethers are used on the windward jackline. If you fall, you fall across the boat and the jackline stops you. You are less likely to go over the lifelines that way.
You can attach to the jacklines or you can attach to any strong point on the boat. In heavier weather, you might want to be harnessed anywhere outside the cabin. You can attach a tether to a cleat, to a winch base, to the backstay, etc., etc.
I put the jacklines out anytime I'm outside the more protected waters of Boston Harbor. A coastal sail is "blue water" for me... and far enough from port that I can't always predict changes in weather, particularly summer t-storms. Then it's easy to harness up, clip on and go forward safely.
It's a good idea to practice using the harness, etc., in easier conditions. The tether, etc., gets in the way, but less so as you get used to it.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
Some additional points...
The tethers are used on the windward jackline. If you fall, you fall across the boat and the jackline stops you. You are less likely to go over the lifelines that way.
You can attach to the jacklines or you can attach to any strong point on the boat. In heavier weather, you might want to be harnessed anywhere outside the cabin. You can attach a tether to a cleat, to a winch base, to the backstay, etc., etc.
I put the jacklines out anytime I'm outside the more protected waters of Boston Harbor. A coastal sail is "blue water" for me... and far enough from port that I can't always predict changes in weather, particularly summer t-storms. Then it's easy to harness up, clip on and go forward safely.
It's a good idea to practice using the harness, etc., in easier conditions. The tether, etc., gets in the way, but less so as you get used to it.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
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Bonnie Gilmore
Re: safety harness
I'd check out what the professionals advise. Sailnet (www.sailnet.com) has an outstanding inventory of articles. As with many things, the gentle art of staying on the boat is typically learned from friends and fellow sailors. Many of us have significant experience (not I), but with something so critical, I'd see what the professionals recommend. You might also contact your local (reputable) sailing school, particularly if they offer offshore preparation classes. Note: we use jacklines and clip in with split sided elastic teathers. You can do the hand-over-hand clip to a new spot technique (and still be connected!) very easily, and the elastic keeps the teather from hanging down around your feet and tripping you.
bgilmore@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us
bgilmore@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us
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mike
boat systems first
James,
I totally agree with the need for harnesses and jack lines when your in questionable weather. (we use the mustang inflatable life vests, which have a harness built in. super gear and you always have one on.)
our jacklines are flat webbing and roll up on a spool(which is mounted low on the pushpit) when not in use. in addition we installed specific attachment points at the mast to clip into during reefing. (we use a three arm tether to facilitate moving about, tucking the unused arm into our foulies when moving about.)
I dont' think there is a more dangerous place on a small boat than the foredeck in heavy weather. with that in mind we've given a lot of thought to our sailing gear forward of the cockpit, i.e. updating to roller furling, batt cars, good blocks, secure anchor mounting, etc., etc..
The point i'd like to make is that one needs to sort out the gear forward before setting sail, in doing so you are limiting your need to go forward.
in the past 6 years we've put over 25,000nm on LaVida, much of it on blue water and have had our share of heavy weather.
the upgrades of our deck systems have proven their worth.
regards,
mike
LaVida
CD33
lavida@seascan.com
I totally agree with the need for harnesses and jack lines when your in questionable weather. (we use the mustang inflatable life vests, which have a harness built in. super gear and you always have one on.)
our jacklines are flat webbing and roll up on a spool(which is mounted low on the pushpit) when not in use. in addition we installed specific attachment points at the mast to clip into during reefing. (we use a three arm tether to facilitate moving about, tucking the unused arm into our foulies when moving about.)
I dont' think there is a more dangerous place on a small boat than the foredeck in heavy weather. with that in mind we've given a lot of thought to our sailing gear forward of the cockpit, i.e. updating to roller furling, batt cars, good blocks, secure anchor mounting, etc., etc..
The point i'd like to make is that one needs to sort out the gear forward before setting sail, in doing so you are limiting your need to go forward.
in the past 6 years we've put over 25,000nm on LaVida, much of it on blue water and have had our share of heavy weather.
the upgrades of our deck systems have proven their worth.
regards,
mike
LaVida
CD33
lavida@seascan.com
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rperlot
Re: safety harness
Alternatively you can lash a D-ring to one of your shrouds and run the jack line through it and around your cleats. This keeps the line off your deck and keeps the tether away from your feet and away from dragging on your fiberglass.
I use one of those inflatable life jackets with the harness. It has one harness ring on the left, and one on the right. I have an elastic tether and when not in use I hook the Jackline side to my right ring and routh the tether around my back and snap the wichard to the left ring. This keeps the tether with me to use but keeps it out of the way. I can take the life jacket on and off without having to even think about it. I use the tether anytime I'm either single handing or sailing with inexperienced people, regardless of weather. I would hate to fall over from something stupid and watch the boat sail away. Something that did happened to another sailer near my home on a beautiful, low wind day about this time last year. Luckily, someone saw him and picked him up. I never heard what happeded to the boat.
Another thing I have done is to install a padeye low in my cockpit on the vertical surface in front of the companion way. I have a 3 year old and I can tether him in and keep him in the cockpit. Otherwise he likes to follow daddy forward.
rperlot@swedeco.com
I use one of those inflatable life jackets with the harness. It has one harness ring on the left, and one on the right. I have an elastic tether and when not in use I hook the Jackline side to my right ring and routh the tether around my back and snap the wichard to the left ring. This keeps the tether with me to use but keeps it out of the way. I can take the life jacket on and off without having to even think about it. I use the tether anytime I'm either single handing or sailing with inexperienced people, regardless of weather. I would hate to fall over from something stupid and watch the boat sail away. Something that did happened to another sailer near my home on a beautiful, low wind day about this time last year. Luckily, someone saw him and picked him up. I never heard what happeded to the boat.
Another thing I have done is to install a padeye low in my cockpit on the vertical surface in front of the companion way. I have a 3 year old and I can tether him in and keep him in the cockpit. Otherwise he likes to follow daddy forward.
James Mill wrote: Can anyone explain to me how a safety harness set up works. Specifically I am wondering about the differnece between Jacklines and Tethers; what should anchor to the boat; and where it should anchor.
Thanks,
James
rperlot@swedeco.com
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Neil Gordon
Re: safety harness
>>Alternatively you can lash a D-ring to one of your shrouds and run the jack line through it ...<<
Although then you have to clip on and off to go past the shroud. Not the most serious concern, of course... and you can get to the mast and back without difficulty.
>>I would hate to fall over from something stupid and watch the boat sail away.<<
When I'm alone or with inexperienced crew, I never use the autopilot. Weather helm is a wonderful thing.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
Although then you have to clip on and off to go past the shroud. Not the most serious concern, of course... and you can get to the mast and back without difficulty.
>>I would hate to fall over from something stupid and watch the boat sail away.<<
When I'm alone or with inexperienced crew, I never use the autopilot. Weather helm is a wonderful thing.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com