Pros and Cons of lifelines

[Cincy020]

What are the benefits and draw backs on lifelines for a 22? All of my sailing would be on an inland lake and do not have children. I have read by some where they can be on the way because of height, but others seem to like them.

I found two potential boats, identical with the exception of lifelines, and was curious for some input

 

[sinnettc]

negative - trip hazard, weight

positive - something to lean against when hiking, something to hang on when going forward, built-in clothes line.

 

[caguy]

When going from Avalon to Two Harbors a few years ago we rounded the corner at Long Point and were hit with a surprise gust that caused us to broach. My friend went flying across the cockpit backward with both hands and feet in the air. The only thing that kept him in the boat were the life lines off from which he bounce. The next day when he agreed to go snorkeling is when I found out he could not swim. He stood in 3' of water frozen. The rest of the trip he wore a pfd. Ask him what he thinks of life lines.
Now, I ask everyone who comes on board if they can swim.

 

[justsomeguy]

Good question.

 

[centerline]

they are like the life jacket, bilge pump, anchor, porta pottie, horn, pulpit..... and other things we have on the boat that really dont seem to be too necessary until they are needed.
although some things are required by law, that doesnt make them useful,... until they are needed. and as sinnettc suggested, all you may ever need the life lines for is to hang the laundry on.... and that makes them useful

a lot of small boats dont have them and the owners dont miss them.... (some dont want them) but a lot of other boats do have them, and most still can not be credited with saving any lives. but it adds a sense of security, and can be very useful when needed....

 

[Cincy020]

Thanks for all the input. I don't know why but I actually never thought about using them when going forward.

 

[Chris Burti]

Personally, I wouldn't mind having them on a 22 if they were high enough and properly installed, but I doubt that I would install them. If they are too low, do not have proper backing plates and adequately sized bolts, they are more of a hazard than a benefit because they will lead to unwrranted overconfidence and will likely fail when needed most.

The best safety option to keep you and your crew onboard a 22 is a flat nylon jackline, approved harnesses and tethers with proper load release shackles regardless of whether or not you have lifelines.

 

[jfrench]

You could face some liability if you removed them and someone got hurt. Same thing if you remove them then sell the boat and someone gets hurt. Can reduce resell value to knowledgeable sailors too.

 

[thinwater]

You could face some liability if you removed them and someone got hurt. Same thing if you remove them then sell the boat and someone gets hurt. Can reduce resell value to knowledgeable sailors too.

On a 22' boat I can see either way. What I really detest is a small monohull with poor toe rails forward. When it gets bouncy and wet, a nice high toe rail makes all the difference.

 

[jroddy]

Frankly the lifelines and hardware can be a pain. I have sailed for decades without them on the 22. The 150 always seemed to get hung up on stanchion etc. I cut off the part of the stern pulpit where the gate was and capped it with stainless plug. Padded the pulpit with foam covers and white tape in order to have something to lean against. I always felt safe enough with just bow and stern rails. BUT, I always have PFD on when things are rough or required by RC rules.

 

[CCrane2299]

My slip backs to another where the boat has life lines. He and I were both tinkering Sunday. He sure had a lot of trouble boarding his boat and I could just step on mine. As I get older and more broken down, I don't need any more reasons to trip myself up.

Once on the boat however, I think I'd like them.

 

[Chris Patterson]

I don't have them, and you could not pay me a thousand bucks to install them. No need to write a book on the many reasons that I detest them immensely.

I would never tell ANYBODY to take theirs off. Maybe they are handy for somebody learning I guess.

Outside of that, I can not think of any redeeming qualities whatsoever for them..

 

[txtowman]

The only use I would have for them is to hang fenders from and trip over.

If I am going to fall I do not want to fall on a skinny wire that will probably do more damage than the water or dock I fall onto.

I hold onto the side stays when going forward. Yes, I have fallen. Yes, I have fallen off into the water. I think both times I would have been in trouble if I had fallen onto the lifelines.

Having said this lifelines there or not would not influence My decision to purchase a particular boat. If I had a boat with lifelines I would not remove them either.

Just My experience.

 

[ancbob]

I am new to the catalina 22 world, but have been sailing and racing on lake st clair and Lake Huron for about 7 years now. As far as lifelines go, I have seen them save more than one person one the foredeck from going overboard. I have been on the rail as crew, with feet dangling over the edge, and grateful for that thin line to help keep my butt in the boat. My advice would be to go for the boat with them. What you may decide to do later would be up to you.

 

[Merlin Clark]

I don't know anyone who has worked the foredeck when it's snotty and bumpy out even with jacklines/harnesses that would shun lifelines.

 

[Garrett Holcombe]

More trouble than help; and more holes in the deck that eventually need to be resealed/repaired. I've sailed on C22s that had them and all I did was get tripped up going forward, or they played havoc with head sails and sheets. My '72 doesn't have them and I've never missed them. In fact, I'm grateful I don't have them.

That being said, if you buy a boat with lifelines, don't remove them. More headache than it's worth. Buy the boat that is best valued, lowest maintenance, and least "sins of the previous owner."

 

[Milton.Audas]

Lifelines ? Essential kit, weight and aesthetics very lowly considerations. The 22 is not a huge vessel, and the decks not very wide. Moving about is that much safer with something to grab a hold of. With young kids or inexperienced deckhands, seniors and non swimmers, a no brainer. Spend the extra $$ and add the soft covers. Much more pleasant when leaning back in the cockpit. Talking of which, what would happen if the skipper lost a hold of the tiller during a tack or gybe and went MOB ?? OMG, another no brainer right there !