Removing safety lines, bad idea?

[GeorgiaBII]

Anybody ever gotten tired of the things and taken down the stanchions and lines?

Mine are a big cause of deck problems plus they are in the way of the Jib at times.

Other than them not there is there really a downside to taking them off?

To be clear I don't ocean sail and almost never go up on the front when under weigh.

If there are negatives please share them I'd like to see what they might be before I start the job next weekend or if I'll even do it after hearing responses here.

Thanks.

James.

 

[Dantodd]

AFAIK the only danger is falling overboard.

 

[Joe]

Boats your size that race rarely have the lifelines rigged....and as you're probably aware, many two part stanchions are sold...where the base stays attached to the boat and the post can be removed by loosening a couple of set screws.

FWIW, I hardly think a single, 24" high life line will keep you from falling overboard... however... if you are sitting on the rail they give you something to hang on too.

The only way you can determine your preference is to remove them and judge the difference for yourself.

 

[Benny17441]

They are a convenient place to hang a bathing suit and towels out to dry. A place to tie fenders and to reach and pull the boat over at the dock. Sooner or latter you will have to go up front for something and they may be your last chance to grab unto something before going overboard. You ask for our thoughts but do not give an inkling on what are those big deck problems you allude to. This is me, but just thinking about having to take the lines and stanchions down makes me tired just thinking about all those holes to plug up to prevent water intrusion. One last thing, girls like lifelines. Your call.

 

[zeehag]

there was a day in which there were no stanchions nor liflines. that is how i learned to sail...




btw--on bottom pic, is me just in front of eleanor's mast--ii have the white scarf....

 

[GeorgiaBII]

Well as for deck problems I've got water intrusion and soft deck everywhere a bolt went through for the stanchions, So either way I need to take them out and fix the deck.

Hehe as for girls... Well you know it's bad karma to have WOMENZ aboard ship right?

 

[Don12364]

Like Zeehag I began when lifelines had not been invented. We had no problems.
However, now you have become accustomed to having them, if you take them off you will feel extremely unsafe - even though they were little more than trip wires.

Z-Hag we salute you too.

 

[zeehag]

if is bad karma to has womenz on board, i must be full of bad luck, even tho i have had decent positive fortune......

 

[Sail123]

I own a 32 foot sailboat with the lifelines removed. I purchased the boat that way and it is one of the things I dislike about the sailboat. I trade boats in my slip this week. Thank goodness.

 

[Indysailor]

I have thought the same thing, that just keeping the bow and stern pulpits would be nice. I have a couple kids and they frequently sit on the bow and the lifelines offer a measure of security for them, as they lean on them and dip their toes into the water on the leeward rail. Also, I attach things to them once in while- guy lines for my boom tent, wet swim trunks and towels, and I rig a triangle between the lifelines and the main sheet for my anchor lantern. So, in terms of safety, at least for adults they offer little, but I've kept them on nonetheless as uses for them continue to surface.

 

[GeorgiaBII]

if is bad karma to has womenz on board, i must be full of bad luck, even tho i have had decent positive fortune......

Shhhh don't tell my girl that! Sailing is my get a way hobby!

 

[rardiH36]

Will my lifelines keep me from ever going overboard? No. But they are there to grab on to when I might loose my balance a bit in choppy/heeling conditions on the foredeck. I also reach for them for balance reference and added security very frequently as I move around the deck when the conditions are choppy.

Five years ago during our ASA basic Keelboat and Basic Coastal Cruising courses on San Francisco Bay, the boat was rocked by an unobserved wake from a passing ship while my daughter was cranking on the leeward main winch also as the boat just heeled when the wind caught the mainsail after a tack. Her balance was caught off guard. The lifeline did prevent her from toppling over-board. And she later develop a straight line bruise across her shoulder to prove it.

I have toe rail sheeting on my boat. And yes the lifelines are in the way of the sheets. I have loosened the lifeline turnbuckles a bit so the lines sag slightly between the stanchions. The sheets can then press against the lifelines without transferring the pressure to stanchions.

 

[robertsapp]

If you look at the Morris Yachts website and check out their M series boats, you'll see pictures of very well built and ultra expensive boats that range from 29 to 52 feet which lack stanchions and lifelines.

 

[zeehag]

stanchions and lifelines can be a blessing or a curse--do not ever count on em to save ye from overboard--ye will hurt self. they are spozed to be a bre3akaway deal that is there as a guide, not a saver

 

[mark_swart]

I replaced my upper ones earlier this year. In the hour it took me to do it, I was surprised at how many times I reflexively reached down for them when bumbling around on the boat. Couldn't imagine not having them.

I also used to have an O'Day 23 (great boat!). If it is the sail interference that bothers you, you might be able to re-route them down near the bottom of the pulpit up front? Or, put a 8-10 inch messenger line between the tack of the sail and the fitting on the deck. That will get it off the lifelines and also help with your visibility.

Another negative is resale if you ever move on to another boat. Definitely keep all the gear if you pull it.