Patrick, This is an excellent question. As such there are many opinions.
I have been following the info gleaned from a couple who cruises as a lifestyle in Northern waters.
https://www.morganscloud.com/2016/09/29/20-things-i-have-learned-about-person-overboard-prevention/
The link will take you to their free blog about Person Over Board issues.
On my boat I rig a long line in the center of the boat tied off to 4 hard points.
- Line 1 is tied off on the windlass base and stretched taut to the base of the mast.
- Line 2 runs from the mast to the center of the cockpit.
I have three tethers.
- One for the helm that allows movement in and about the cockpit but not beyond the lifelines.
- One attached to the go forward jackline from cockpit to mast, which gives me enough play to move about the boat but keeps me inside the lifelines. I can stand and brace against the line while handling the sail on the boom.
- The third tether attaches to the forward jackline and allows me to move from mast to bow. Due to the nature of narrow bow as you move forward this is the only spot that may let me fall outside the lifelines.
I use a snap on then release method of moving between the tethers.
Sailing solo means never leaving the boat involuntarily.