Lifelines, yes or no.

[kendall]

On my 22 I took the lifelines off, They made it impossible to use the side decks to go forward, and when you were on the cabin top, they were too low to do any good.
I had good handrails along the cabin, so you had a solid grip and there was a nice toe-rail so it was much better/safer without them
When I removed them I closed the holes up with sealer and buttonhead screws, so for re-installation it was a simple matter of re-mounting them. When I got rid of the boat I handed them to the buyer.

Both of my 'bigger' boats (ariel and triton) have lifelines installed, they have plenty of room to walk around, and do their job without getting in the way.

I'm all for safety equipment, but when the safety equipment gets in the way and forces unsafe behavior, it's better not to have it.

Ken.

 

[John Nantz]

O'day 22? Forget 'em

That's a pretty light-weight boat and a normal person going forward will lower their center of gravity according to the situation instead of standing up straight so handholds will be more of an asset.

If one is standing up the lifelines are basically too low to do any good anyway and are more of a tripping hazard.

On my 16ft daysailer I try to keep my body weight close to centerline because otherwise the boat tips too much, on a 22 somewhat less so.

Basically one is pretty much considering moving around on all fours.

 

[Taylor]

Required by PIYA racing rules

According to the PIYA racing rules lifelines are required for Category I (yachts capable of racing exposed waters) and Category II (yachts in semi-protected waters) and advised for Category III (yachts in protected waters, primarily daylight). Not required for Catagory IV dinghies and small decked and semi-decked keelboats in protected waters when crash boats are available.

A given event will specify a category.

Under 30' a single lower lifeline is allowed. Over 30' higher dual lifelines are required.

And... it calls for uncoated lifelines for installations after 2006.

Interestingly, I think the uncoated variety look better.

http://www.ussailing.net/piya/PIYA/2009 PIYA Certificate.pdf

 

[Bad Obsession]

I know that it is a requirement to have lifelines if you are doing an overnight race in most places.