Jack lines

[Indysailor]

The topic of jack lines came up in another thread.
I have never needed them on my dinky lake, but am planning to start sailing where they will be needed. I've seen a lot of videos in which people studiously clip on to jack lines that to my inexperienced eye appear to be too far from the centerline, that is sometimes running forward on the side deck rather than close to the center line. In these cases it looks like the installation revolves around not having a good way to transition around the cockpit (i.e, I've never seen a jack line in a cockpit), or maybe not designing the placement very well. So, a couple questions:

1) What is the best way to install jack lines so that a person can clip in to a point along the centerline when exiting the cockpit (taking into consideration maneuvering around a dodger, traveler, etc)? For example, should jack lines just be run forward of the cockpit, with something else to clip into while moving to a point where a jack line is attached?

2) Should fixed attachment points be installed on the cabin top, either to directly clip in, or for better positioning of jack lines)?

3) Is a double clip tether needed?

 

[thinwater]

It's usually jacklines, not jack lines. Jack lines are utility lines and also lines on the bolts ropes of some sails too allow them to drop properly with narrow tack angles.

Yes, running them closer to the center is helpful. The stern and bow cleats are really in the wrong place for this, but they are a lazy answer and therefore common. You may want to add several anchors (mid-foredeck and either side of the dodger).

Yes, you need dual tethers, particularly on a small boat, because the 6' tether is nearly always too long and will allow you to fall off. You should be using the 3' tether 80% of the time. Also remember that there is no reason to stand tall when going far forward in rough weather. Scoot on your bottom as needed.

You can always double a long tether around something when working, or even a short tether. Snug tethering is good when you stop to work on something. Two hands free. When not in use, wrap the long tether around your back like a belt to get it out of the way.

Don't clip the unused tether off to your harness. This eliminates the quick release function unless you remember to unclip it first, which you won't. This contributed to one fatality that I know of.

Maybe this will give an idea, showing 3' and 6' tethers and a few possibilities. As you can see, 3' tethers are more useful and the jackline does NOT need to run to the stern or bow on a small boat.

As you can see, on my F-24 the jacklines end far short of the bow and stern.

 

[dlochner]

1) What is the best way to install jack lines so that a person can clip in to a point along the centerline when exiting the cockpit (taking into consideration maneuvering around a dodger, traveler, etc)? For example, should jack lines just be run forward of the cockpit, with something else to clip into while moving to a point where a jack line is attached?

This is going to vary depending on how the boat is configured. We keep the double tether attached to the jack line and clip on before leaving the cockpit. Our jack line is run along the side deck close to the cabin side, not an ideal situation. At the mast there is a dyneema loop to which the short tether is attached. The loop allows for complete access around the mast and is comfortable whether standing, kneeling, or sitting because the loop will rise up when standing. The distance from the dodger (which has a handhold on the outside) to the mast is about 10 feet. If it is dicey out, as soon as we clear the dodger we sit on the cabin top and slide forward and clip to the mast as soon as it can be reached. And even with the jack lines, it is one hand for the boat, one hand for me, while keeping my center of gravity as low as possible.

In the cockpit we have 3 fixed folding padeyes with short dyneema strops attached. Between the 3 we move pretty freely around the cockpit. Again the tethers stay attached to the boat, we clip the new one on before releasing the old one. The dyneema strops prevent the clip from binding on the padeye and possibly releasing.

 

[dlochner]

It's usually jacklines, not jack lines. Jack lines are utility lines and also lines on the bolts ropes of some sails too allow them to drop properly with narrow tack angles.

Yep, but good old spell check keeps changing it. Same with amphours which often becomes amphora.

 

[Indysailor]

Got it, "jacklines", it is. Told ya, I was a noob at this.

 

[dLj]

How to install jacklines is very boat specific. The fundamental philosophy is to keep them positioned such that when clipped in, you cannot go over the lifelines.

As to the comment of not clipping the long tether to the harness, i clip it to the quick release - not the harness attachment point - in order to keep it easier to handle and still will release if I need.

Having a double tether is very useful as you can use one to be clipped in, the other to clip on another attachment point such that you are always clipped it. You should practice all movements going around your boat and getting all points that you may need to get to prior to needing to do so...

dj

 

[thinwater]

Another thing to consider is that sailors don't usually fall off when they are moving and mindfully holding on with both hands. Skinny side decks are really not a hazard. It is when they stop to work, fighting with a sail or a jammed furler that things go wrong. Also accidental jibes. So those are the things most important to guard against. For example, when fishing/trolling I have lines rigged off my outriggers, with no railing. It's not going out there that is hazardous, it's working with both hands to set line or fight a fish, NOT paying attention to the boat or holding on, when I am at risk.

Always plan your movements. I've been a weekly rock climber for over 40 years, so that is automatic for me.

 

[dlochner]

Always plan your movements. I've been a weekly rock climber for over 40 years, so that is automatic for me.

When solo sailing, planing each movement and sequence of moves is the pathway to safety. Before starting to deal with whatever problem is out there, figure out how you will position yourself to be safe while dealing with the problem. Even with crew, in dicey conditions plan ahead and share the plan with the crew even if it means tolerating a flapping sail or a loose line. And sometimes the best solution is to just leave it alone until conditions improve and it can be safely dealt with. Last year I drug a 5 gallon jerry can of diesel along side the boat for several hours, it wasn't doing any damage and trying to retrieve it and secure it was just too risky in 25 knots and 6+ foot short period seas.

 

[JBP-PA]

There are a lot of variations people use, but the primary rule is that your system should keep you on your boat inside the lifelines, not dragged alongside. As you said, do not use loose floppy jacklines on your sidedecks. Most people use a tether that they clip on to various lines and points, but you can also design a system of several fixed tethers around your boat. This has the advantage that the length of each tether can be adjusted to be the exact length required for each connection point.

On my small boat, I added a pad eye low and forward in the cockpit. I stay clipped in in the cockpit with the long tether. I have a jackline that runs just beside the companionway on a folding pad eye, forward around the mast and back to the other side. I can clip the short tether on while sitting in the cockpit before disconnecting the long one. I can go to the mast, around the front, and back the other side if I like. I can just reach the toe rail along the way to hang fenders and such. If I need to go to the foreststay, I clip the long tether to the mast.

Sailboat Jackline Test - Practical Sailor

Since 1974, Practical Sailor’s independent testing has taken the guesswork out of boat and gear buying.

www.practical-sailor.com

 

[SteveHughessails]

I was going to start a new thread but it may be advantageous to have this here too. Jack lines, experienced them first on a C&C 25. Allows the luff of the main sail to flake nicely (post 2) I was impressed especially when I tried to flake the Mac25 nicely without jack lines. The luff stays quite rigid. I have been trying to remember what they’re called. I found jackline info but not jack line lol.

Jacklines, this is something I too will be adding for more solo sailing.
Thanks for posting this.