Kind of an interesting idea..what do you all think of lifelines vs. genoa sheets? they seem to always be in the way My idea is to bring the lifelines down about 6" (shorten one stanchion on either side) which i think would make the problem far less of one- any input?
Lifelines
- Thread starter Brian M H23
- Start date
- Status
Brian, there are two divergent schools in sailing
one says that the quality of sail trim is paramount, the other says safety is more important. If you reduce the height of your lifelines will they still serve their design function. My boat came with a deck sweeper and I cut the foot off so that I could see where I was going.
one says that the quality of sail trim is paramount, the other says safety is more important. If you reduce the height of your lifelines will they still serve their design function. My boat came with a deck sweeper and I cut the foot off so that I could see where I was going.
get rid of them....
...you need sheets, but not lifelines. When is the last time you saw a 23 foot race boat with lifelines? If you are seriously considering modifying your lifeline stanchions by making them ineffective you are wasting time and money. If they are in the way, change the stanchions from one piece units to the base and pole types that will allow you to remove them when desired, but let you re-install when you think appropriate. Perhaps you should consider running the sheets a different way, outside the lifelines, for example... you haven't been specific in your problem so it's hard to say. Another option would be to break the lifelines into sections and connect with pelican hooks so you can detach the offending section when needed. Another option would be to attach a pendant (short length of wire with loops at each end) to raise the tack of the sail 6 inches or so. This might give you some more clearance with the sheets and improve visability. Of course there would need to be room at the top for the sail to go up or you'd have to take Ross' approach and re cut the sail. Finally, there are surely other solutions, besides these, regarding your concern, but first, you must specifically define your problem and the desired outcome. There is certainly a simpler and more aesthetic remedy out there.
...you need sheets, but not lifelines. When is the last time you saw a 23 foot race boat with lifelines? If you are seriously considering modifying your lifeline stanchions by making them ineffective you are wasting time and money. If they are in the way, change the stanchions from one piece units to the base and pole types that will allow you to remove them when desired, but let you re-install when you think appropriate. Perhaps you should consider running the sheets a different way, outside the lifelines, for example... you haven't been specific in your problem so it's hard to say. Another option would be to break the lifelines into sections and connect with pelican hooks so you can detach the offending section when needed. Another option would be to attach a pendant (short length of wire with loops at each end) to raise the tack of the sail 6 inches or so. This might give you some more clearance with the sheets and improve visability. Of course there would need to be room at the top for the sail to go up or you'd have to take Ross' approach and re cut the sail. Finally, there are surely other solutions, besides these, regarding your concern, but first, you must specifically define your problem and the desired outcome. There is certainly a simpler and more aesthetic remedy out there.
Clarify
When I say shorten the lifeline stanchion, I'm talking about ONE stanchion per side, so that for that 6' span the lifelines would sort of "vee" down, and i'd run the sheets over top. It was an idea I hadnt seen before, Im wondering if anyone sees any real problems with it?
When I say shorten the lifeline stanchion, I'm talking about ONE stanchion per side, so that for that 6' span the lifelines would sort of "vee" down, and i'd run the sheets over top. It was an idea I hadnt seen before, Im wondering if anyone sees any real problems with it?
SPLASH!
Reducing the height of lifelines is tricky biz. If you were to lower them to a height that's less than knee-high, you would change them from safety item to tripping hazard. The first time you encountered a lifeline at that height, chances are it would knock your feet out from under you and possibly send you overboard. In such a case, better to have no lifelines at all than ones that were all but guaranteed to put you at risk. Better still, as Ross suggested, is to have the foot of your genoa re-cut, so it's not a deck-sweeper. Pete s/v EmmieLou (Oday 322) Little Silver, NJ
Reducing the height of lifelines is tricky biz. If you were to lower them to a height that's less than knee-high, you would change them from safety item to tripping hazard. The first time you encountered a lifeline at that height, chances are it would knock your feet out from under you and possibly send you overboard. In such a case, better to have no lifelines at all than ones that were all but guaranteed to put you at risk. Better still, as Ross suggested, is to have the foot of your genoa re-cut, so it's not a deck-sweeper. Pete s/v EmmieLou (Oday 322) Little Silver, NJ
On our C25
We have lifelines that go from the top of the first stanchion to a loop at the bottom of the bow pulpit. The lifeline itself starts at about 2" off the deck at the pulpit and angles up to the top of the first stanchion. This configuration does help the foot of the sail to keep its shape without hitting the lifeline. We have a 1985 C25 and it is the normal lifeline configuration.
We have lifelines that go from the top of the first stanchion to a loop at the bottom of the bow pulpit. The lifeline itself starts at about 2" off the deck at the pulpit and angles up to the top of the first stanchion. This configuration does help the foot of the sail to keep its shape without hitting the lifeline. We have a 1985 C25 and it is the normal lifeline configuration.
E-25
The same goes for my boat as Newsailor06's C-25. The start low at the pulpit and rise to the first stanchion. I guess it helps keep shape on the headsail. I have tripped numerous times on them boarding and un-boarding from the bow. There is not much I can really do except be more aware of them. There would be a few instances that would make Funniest Home Vidio's had they been captured on film. Rob Hessenius
The same goes for my boat as Newsailor06's C-25. The start low at the pulpit and rise to the first stanchion. I guess it helps keep shape on the headsail. I have tripped numerous times on them boarding and un-boarding from the bow. There is not much I can really do except be more aware of them. There would be a few instances that would make Funniest Home Vidio's had they been captured on film. Rob Hessenius
Not 6 inches
Actually, I did know that Brian meant 6 inches lower, not 6 off the deck. But the fact still remains that a lifeline lower than knee height becomes a tripwire. If lowering yours doesn't take it below knee level, well then, perhaps there's no problem. Even if it's just an inch or so above the knee, okie-dokie. It has to do with the fact that the knee is a hinge, and a wire, rope, line or other fixed obstruction hitting below the knee will flex that hinge and sweep the lower leg out from under you. The problem just isn't as dire if the obstruction hits the upper leg, because even if the hinge (the knee) still bends, the lower leg can stay planted. Try this simple test: Stand with your legs straight against a barrier (taut rope, line, wire, whatever) that's as high as mid-thigh, and bend from the waist. Your legs will press against the barrier and allow you to bend pretty far. Now do it pressing your legs against a barrier that only comes up to, say, the upper shinbone. You won't bend anywhere near as far before you lose your balance. Ain't kinesiology wonderful? Pete s/v EmmieLou (Oday 322) Little Silver, NJ
Actually, I did know that Brian meant 6 inches lower, not 6 off the deck. But the fact still remains that a lifeline lower than knee height becomes a tripwire. If lowering yours doesn't take it below knee level, well then, perhaps there's no problem. Even if it's just an inch or so above the knee, okie-dokie. It has to do with the fact that the knee is a hinge, and a wire, rope, line or other fixed obstruction hitting below the knee will flex that hinge and sweep the lower leg out from under you. The problem just isn't as dire if the obstruction hits the upper leg, because even if the hinge (the knee) still bends, the lower leg can stay planted. Try this simple test: Stand with your legs straight against a barrier (taut rope, line, wire, whatever) that's as high as mid-thigh, and bend from the waist. Your legs will press against the barrier and allow you to bend pretty far. Now do it pressing your legs against a barrier that only comes up to, say, the upper shinbone. You won't bend anywhere near as far before you lose your balance. Ain't kinesiology wonderful? Pete s/v EmmieLou (Oday 322) Little Silver, NJ
- Status