Overhead jacklines from b&r rig

[Jared1048]

With winter coming with its heavy weather sailing I want to rig jacklines for extra caution.

See picture...The red is what I'm thinking of. The purple is a sample tether.

I'm thinking of having it about shoulder height in the cockpit so you can easily duck under it then running forward and slanted down to deck at pulpet. This would allow you to be hooked in while at the helm and be able to move around cockpit and to mast without un tethering.

It would run inside the stantions brushing mast. One problem would be the travelor which would bump up against it so it would have to have a little give. My tether is about 4 feet so from the center of boat would only fall to lifeline at most

Thoughts?


Cheers,
-Jared

 

[tommays]

I don't think you will get them tight enough in the air most of are tethers have two hooks so never have to be off the line

 

[shemandr]

Clothesline comes to mind.

 

[Ross]

Try it and see if it works . I doubt that you can get them tight enough. What will it do to your jib sheeting?

 

[seadaddler]

never

I have never seen such a setup and what happens when it gets ruff and the boat is rocking and rolling and crew start flying high around the cockpit.
Like already said 2 hooks when needed to gog from cockpit on to the forward deck,hey try and hope nit works out OK.
Nick

 

[Jared1048]

The angle to the deck from the rear will be a balance between height in cockpit and low enough in front where tacking should be inhibited.

Hopefully we can get it high enough in cockpit its not "clothes lining" us while working on the sails.

Im going to rig something up with old sheets and see how it goes.

 

[Joe]

Although you normally run them the entire length of the boat, having more that one person hooked on to a line running through the middle of the cockpit might prove more dangerous... at least inconvenient... that just having strategic padeyes arranged around the area for the same purpose. Leaving the cockpit would be reserved for the jackstays. With that strategy in mind there is no need to run them above deck level...because they would interfere with sailing operations. Better to have them tight and on the deck, so any stretch will go UP...and sidewaye.... not DOWN AND UP.... A boucy motion like that would feel very insecure to the crew.

I found tubular, UV resistant, nylon webbing at REI that is perfect for jackstays. There are two kinds of nylon webbing.... make sure you get the kind recommended for the job.

 

[higgs]

I may be missing something, but how would you tack the jib through if you had the jack lines running above deck forward of the mast?

 

[Al - s/v Persephone]

In 2005 I rigged a SS wire rope from the center bolt holding the traveler to my H36's arch down to the plate at the base of my mast. I've used it as a permanent jackline over 9,000 nm, up to 10% of that in Force 6, and occasionally in Force 7.

It is essential for a single-hander like me who uses it with 4 ft tethers to stay on the cabin top/centerline from the wheel to the mast struts, at which point I hook an arm around a strut and re-clip onto the appropriate side's SS jackiline running from the chainplate to bow pulpit.

I can hookon before leaving the companionway, and stay hooked between wheel and mast.

I used lifeline turnbuckles and SS mini-shackles to set the tension.

My only caveat is you have to have an easy step onto the cabintop, making a big dodger difficult.

Fair winds,
Al - s/v Persephone

 

[thinwater]

Seadaddler Nailed It

When the boat is healed or knocked down just a bit, those overhead lines are going to swing you over the lifeline, not against it. Additionally, I like jacklines on the deck, as I can pull against them to KEEP MY FEET ON THE DECK. An overhead line does the opposite and would be very strenuous to use as a stabilizer. I is the sudden drop and weightlessness that cosses many falls.

I've used conventional jack lines for years. It is a matter of practice, disipline, and playing with lengths and anchor points. Also, 2-ended tethers help; we keep the unused end clipped to the harness so it is out of the way.

Something else we do, that works well for our boat. The tethers for going forward STAY on the jackline, one on each side. They are used by whom ever is going forward and are the correct length. Personal tethers are used around the transom and back of cockpit.

 

[Jared1048]

I may be missing something, but how would you tack the jib through if you had the jack lines running above deck forward of the mast?

No, If you were looking at the boat from the side the jacklines would be highest (5ft above the deck) gradually getting closer to the deck until it attaches near the bow cleat. On the forward deck I wouldnt expect it to be more than 6 inches off the deck.

My main concern for having it overhead is keeping you centered on the boat and not have enough slack to have you dragged at water line if you fell over.

I do like the idea of having a dedicated set of tethers on either side that would be configured like a traditional setup.

 

[Jared1048]

In 2005 I rigged a SS wire rope from the center bolt holding the traveler to my H36's arch down to the plate at the base of my mast. I've used it as a permanent jackline over 9,000 nm, up to 10% of that in Force 6, and occasionally in Force 7.

It is essential for a single-hander like me who uses it with 4 ft tethers to stay on the cabin top/centerline from the wheel to the mast struts, at which point I hook an arm around a strut and re-clip onto the appropriate side's SS jackiline running from the chainplate to bow pulpit.

I can hookon before leaving the companionway, and stay hooked between wheel and mast.

I used lifeline turnbuckles and SS mini-shackles to set the tension.

My only caveat is you have to have an easy step onto the cabintop, making a big dodger difficult.

Fair winds,
Al - s/v Persephone

Do you have any pictures of this setup? Seams that the hatch (on my boat) would hit that line.

 

[thinwater]

Before using a tentioned SS line for a jackline...

... consider the enormous forces generated by the tight rope effect. A tensioned system is VERY difficult to build stong enough. Lifeline fittings would not be; thus I must assume the system never endured a worst-case fall. Yes, I have calculations. Yes, I have designed fall arrest systems and have tested them:

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2010/04/sample-calculations-for-jack-line.html

If niether the tether nor the jackline stretch (tethers are non-stretch), where does the fall energy go? Some engineered give is required.