Jack Lines

[tgrass462]

This summer we're thinking about crossing Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Lealand, Michigan (about 56 miles) in our Hunter 260 (along with a number of other boats). I'm planning on installing Jack Lines and purchasing harnesses and tethers for the cockpit crew (when you're out of the cabin - you're clipped to the jack line).

We're also planning on having two additional adults with us for the cruise. My question - should I plan on purchasing a harness and tether for each person aboard - or - should I plan on only two people being on watch at any one time and have harnesses and tethers for those only? Of course everyone aboard has a life jacket.

I won't compromise on safety - yet we're talking about two or three Boat Units (a Boat Unit is $100) here.

Thanks,

Tom Grass
Grasshopper III

 

[twodzusfittings]

Get as many as you need so that each crew member has one in case you need all hands on deck. And that is my opinion only. (I love spending other peoples money too!)

 

[Jackdaw]

First you need to answer a bigger question.

What is your heavy weather plan?

Jacklines are most commonly used on bigger boats on extended bad weather passages, when crew need to leave the cockpit and venture the the mast and beyond.

On your 260, think about when you would have someone out of the cockpit in bad weather. I assume you would only go in a good weather window, so the most likely bad weather you might see would be a squall/thunderstorm. If one approaches you should be in shorted sail mode already.

Ideally, jacklines belong to the BOAT, the tethers belong to the PERSON. Everyone would have their own, and be responsible for its condition and whereabouts.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Ask yourself where the off watch crew will be spending their time. It's rare for crew to spend much time in the cabin unless sleeping.

I recommend having a harness for each crew member. That way there is no awkward swapping of harnesses at watch change.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I concur with Jackdaw

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

I concur with Cephius and Robert; but to what Jackdaw says I would suggest that there are perfectly valid reasons to have and wear harnesses in all weather, not just after it becomes gnarly.

There should be no fetching and fumbling when the weather does turn (note I said 'when', not 'if'). If you already have it on, that is one more thing you don't have to worry about while reefing, stowing gear, plotting a new course, etc.

Also, especially when having guests, any time there is a limited number of viable skippers aboard, the situation can be the same as when shorthanding or singlehandling-- a danger of one skipper going overboard and the other(s) having to navigate the boat back to collect him. It's in times of panic that so many other snafus occur. I see nothing wrong with having a harness on in all but the most very settled weather, the calmest conditions and the closest proximity to safe shores to which one can easily swim. And the presence of more boat traffic can be as much a curse as a blessing in a MOB situation.

 

[Jackdaw]

I concur with Cephius and Robert; but to what Jackdaw says I would suggest that there are perfectly valid reasons to have and wear harnesses in all weather, not just after it becomes gnarly.

There should be no fetching and fumbling when the weather does turn (note I said 'when', not 'if'). If you already have it on, that is one more thing you don't have to worry about while reefing, stowing gear, plotting a new course, etc.

Also, especially when having guests, any time there is a limited number of viable skippers aboard, the situation can be the same as when shorthanding or singlehandling-- a danger of one skipper going overboard and the other(s) having to navigate the boat back to collect him. It's in times of panic that so many other snafus occur. I see nothing wrong with having a harness on in all but the most very settled weather, the calmest conditions and the closest proximity to safe shores to which one can easily swim. And the presence of more boat traffic can be as much a curse as a blessing in a MOB situation.

DOB,

I never said anything about harnesses; I was speaking about jack lines, and the notion of having them on a 26 foot hunter.

And let's make a clear distinction between the three parts on this... Harness... Tether.. Jackline.

On our 367 the jack lines are run and ready any time the boat leaves protected waters. Our crew all uses spinlock deckvest, so the harnesses are integrated. At that point is a personal (or skippers orders) decision when crew must be tethered in.

I feel tethering should only be done in harsh conditions.. It is a pain to get around the boat with one on. In addition, going OB while attached to the boat will drown you unless someone is 100 vigilant and sees you go over.

Every boat can and should develop its own standing orders on safety procedures.

 

[twodzusfittings]

After posting a response and reading other peoples responses, I must say I wrote my reply in haste. I mixed up the meaning jack lines and tethers. I believe jack lines run from the stern to the bow (one for each side) and lay flat when not in use. Tethers hook on to the jack line and the crew members harness allowing movement up and down the jack line. The harness can be an individual unit worn by the crew member or as in some cases built into the inflatable life vest. I think the reason jack lines are flat is to avoid loosing foot when standing on it. Most of us have experienced standing on a round rope and how that feels when moving up on deck.

So to correct my response, two jacklines and as many tethers to allow all aboard to be hooked if conditions require, assuming all have a harnesses in some form or other.

When I sail solo, I try to remember to be tethered going forward, using solid railings and life lines as my point of attachment as I do not have jack lines, but sometimes I don't follow that recommendation either.