for what it's worth- the Ocean racing group has banned vinyl coated lifelines on offshore boats.. Mine are uncoated on both my boats.
Certainly the ban is not because they do not like them or that they do not look cool... It is because they are considered unsafe for Ocean Racing.the Ocean racing group has banned vinyl coated lifelines on offshore boats.
ExactlyCertainly the ban is not because they do not like them or that they do not look cool... It is because they are considered unsafe for Ocean Racing.
In the interests of accuracy:Banning Dyneema is a stodgy attitude, and I am a very prudent navigator.
Agree with all of your other points, but Beneteau was still using covered lines on its Oceanis 31/34/37 line, manufactured until 2014.If you have covered lines, they are over 25 years old. Maybe time for an update??
WOW don't know that. They've been off the First Series from the 90s.Agree with all of your other points, but Beneteau was still using covered lines on its Oceanis 31/34/37 line, manufactured until 2014.
Because:It always amazes me that these regs don't allow for solid top rail lifelines. They mandate uncoated wire.
"Hull and Structure: Lifelines 2.4.4 Lifelines shall be uncoated stainless steel wire. A multipart-lashing segment not to exceed 4" per end termination for the purpose of attaching lifelines to pulpits is allowed. Lifelines shall be taut. x x "
If you've ever sailed a boat with a solid top railing you'll understand just how much better/safer than a wire... If you read all the subsequent requirements on lifelines, a solid top rail exceeds all requirements listed.
dj
I understand heavy - not good for racing - but the rest of your argument is absolutely not the case at all.Well, at least using the schedule tubing I use for this.Because:
Its heavy
And if you fall hard against it, I guarantee it will bend, and probably crease. Then its done, and you have no way to fix it at sea.
You must be thinking very heavy stuff. Then you fall back to reason #1. But I have seen many factory stern pulpit tubes mangled by crew falling against them. Its why most boats have SS wire gates across the transom now.I understand heavy - not good for racing - but the rest of your argument is absolutely not the case at all.Well, at least using the schedule tubing I use for this.
dj
I understand heavy is not desired for racing - but in the light of safety there are many reasons the correct wall tubing is better. The pulpits you are talking about must be really thin walled. What's the schedule of the stauntions? If you hit one of those, why don't they bend as you've described?You must be thinking very heavy stuff. Then you fall back to reason #1. But I have seen many factory stern pulpit tubes mangled by crew falling against them. Its why most boats have SS wire gates across the transom now.
I honestly don't know. And yes sometimes the stanchions bend as well, or worse pull out of the deck.I understand heavy is not desired for racing - but in the light of safety there are many reasons the correct wall tubing is better. The pulpits you are talking about must be really thin walled. What's the schedule of the stauntions? If you hit one of those, why don't they bend as you've described?
dj
I understand heavy - not good for racing - but the rest of your argument is absolutely not the case at all.Well, at least using the schedule tubing I use for this. /QUOTE]
I have seen the SS tubng used on decks as .49 and .65 mm. Might be others?
2.4.1 | Lifelines: A boat's deck including the headstay shall be surrounded by a suitably strong enclosure, typically consisting of lifelines and pulpits, meeting the requirements in 2.4.2 to 2.4.8. |
2.4.2 | Lifelines: A boat's stanchion and pulpit bases shall be within the working deck. |
2.4.3 | Lifelines: Bow pulpits may be open, but the opening between the vertical portion of stanchion pulpit and any part of the boat shall not exceed 14.2" (360mm). |
2.4.4 | Lifelines: Lifelines shall be stainless steel wire. The inspector may cut away covering if the wire is coated. A multipart-lashing segment not to exceed 4" per end termination for the purpose of attaching lifelines to pulpits is allowed. Any such lashing shall be replaced annually. Lifelines shall be taut. |
2.4.5 | Lifelines: The maximum spacing between lifeline supports (e.g. stanchions and pulpits) shall be 87" (2.2m). |
2.4.7 | Lifelines: Boats 30' and over (9.14m) shall have at least two lifelines with 24" (762mm) minimum height above deck, and a maximum vertical gap of 15" (381mm). The minimum diameter will be 5/32" (4mm) for boats to 43' (13.1m) and 3/16" (5mm) for boats over 43' (13.1m). |
2.4.8 | Lifelines: Toe rails shall be fitted around the foredeck from the base of the mast with a minimum height of 1" (25mm) for boats over 30'. An additional installed lifeline that is 1-2" (25-51mm) above the deck will satisfy this requirement for boats without toerails. |
Stanchions and their attachments are well known concerns, especially with off-shore sailors. There they tend to prefer backing plates and through bolting systems that may not be common on racing boats. I'm not a racer.I honestly don't know. And yes sometimes the stanchions bend as well, or worse pull out of the deck.
Now to your bigger point; could a solid top rail system be engineered and build that meets safety requirements? Yes I'm sure, but for many reason manufactures simply don't. So they simplify the rules to reflect that fact.