We go to the coast once a year and sail mostly the bays (Aransas Bay). Sometimes I single hand and the bay can get pretty rough (for me). If I have to go onto the deck to reef, etc where do I safely attach the safety harness? The jackstays and surounding wire rope don't seem strong enough to hold me in case I fall off. I'm 6'2 and 200 lbs. I do have jib roller reefing so don't have to go on deck too often and can lock wheel down. In two to three foot waves that deck sure gets unstable. Thanks Jesse s/v X*TA*SEA
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Try jack lines
When we sailed in the Texas gulg we ran a jack line from the front cleat to the rear cleat on each side. Then you can clip your harness on and walk the full lenght of the boat without disconnecting.
When we sailed in the Texas gulg we ran a jack line from the front cleat to the rear cleat on each side. Then you can clip your harness on and walk the full lenght of the boat without disconnecting.
Jack Lines
I think others have already covered this, but the consensus is that your two Jack Lines should be attached to any two points far enough apart so that you have freedom of movement. I always wear the automatic SOSuspenders w/harness. This opens up the whole subject of MOB procedures and how to haul the MOB aboard. We do practice MOB retrieval, but I weigh a lot more than a cushion and I'm not sure my wife would be able to pull me in with a boat hook. I attach my Jack Lines to the forward and stern cleats but the anchor locker and mainsheet "U" bolts are probably stronger. Ideally, with the standard 6-foot tether, if you fall overboard while tehered, you'll be able to work your way back to the stern and board via the ladder before you drown or croak from hypothermia. We also have a life sling and that seems to me the best way to retrieve a MOB not tethered. For most of us that sail with short crew or single-handed, the more complex procedures for hauling someone up over the side just do not seem realistic. My plan (never practiced) is to have my wife haul me aboard from the stern using the winch. (Someday I've got to really try this to see if it will work). I'd really like to hear other approaches to the MOB subject as it relates to boats with self-bailing cockpit/stern ladder.
I think others have already covered this, but the consensus is that your two Jack Lines should be attached to any two points far enough apart so that you have freedom of movement. I always wear the automatic SOSuspenders w/harness. This opens up the whole subject of MOB procedures and how to haul the MOB aboard. We do practice MOB retrieval, but I weigh a lot more than a cushion and I'm not sure my wife would be able to pull me in with a boat hook. I attach my Jack Lines to the forward and stern cleats but the anchor locker and mainsheet "U" bolts are probably stronger. Ideally, with the standard 6-foot tether, if you fall overboard while tehered, you'll be able to work your way back to the stern and board via the ladder before you drown or croak from hypothermia. We also have a life sling and that seems to me the best way to retrieve a MOB not tethered. For most of us that sail with short crew or single-handed, the more complex procedures for hauling someone up over the side just do not seem realistic. My plan (never practiced) is to have my wife haul me aboard from the stern using the winch. (Someday I've got to really try this to see if it will work). I'd really like to hear other approaches to the MOB subject as it relates to boats with self-bailing cockpit/stern ladder.
If you are going solo, you should wear a harness. The place to hook up is on the windward side of the boat to a jackstay that is run to the outside of the shrouds. You should test the jackstay setup prior to being on the water to guarantee that you can not go overboard if you were to slip. Also the strap should be a flat strap at least one inch wide and secured such that it can not come undone.
Rigging Jacklines
I have always run my jacklines inboard of the lifelines and stanchions. When I go forward, I clip on to the line on the windard side. If you run the lines outboard of the lifelines, don't you get tangled up with the stanchions etc. and how do you pass around the shrouds? Is there a right and wrong way??? Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
I have always run my jacklines inboard of the lifelines and stanchions. When I go forward, I clip on to the line on the windard side. If you run the lines outboard of the lifelines, don't you get tangled up with the stanchions etc. and how do you pass around the shrouds? Is there a right and wrong way??? Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
Webbing jacklines?
I had some on my H27 back in UK. Ran the whole length on outer decks. Easy to clip on in cockpit and go forward. Crewsavr explooding lifejacket with inbuilt harness. I need to fit some to current boat and like webbing rather than wire. Can anyone point to a supplier who would make to length?
I had some on my H27 back in UK. Ran the whole length on outer decks. Easy to clip on in cockpit and go forward. Crewsavr explooding lifejacket with inbuilt harness. I need to fit some to current boat and like webbing rather than wire. Can anyone point to a supplier who would make to length?
On hte 260 I
Run inch and a quarter webbing. I'm with Peter in that I run the jacklines inside the shrouds so that I never have to unclip. I tie the jackline to the U bolt for the main sheet then run it up to the bow cleat on ne side acorss the top of the anchor locker through the other bow cleat and back to the mainsheet U bolt. Both end of course are tied to the U bolt but I made sure I had enough excess webbing to once having tied to the U bolt tie the webbing itself. My tether is about 6' long and I realise that should I go over there is a chance that the tether will get caugt up in the lifelines adn slow my drift to the stern but I figure not having to unclip at any time is good policy. Always going forward on the windward side and always remembering one hand for me the other for the yacht.
Run inch and a quarter webbing. I'm with Peter in that I run the jacklines inside the shrouds so that I never have to unclip. I tie the jackline to the U bolt for the main sheet then run it up to the bow cleat on ne side acorss the top of the anchor locker through the other bow cleat and back to the mainsheet U bolt. Both end of course are tied to the U bolt but I made sure I had enough excess webbing to once having tied to the U bolt tie the webbing itself. My tether is about 6' long and I realise that should I go over there is a chance that the tether will get caugt up in the lifelines adn slow my drift to the stern but I figure not having to unclip at any time is good policy. Always going forward on the windward side and always remembering one hand for me the other for the yacht.
Jack Lines
I bought my jack lines from West Marine. They make various lengths. Check their on-line catalog.
I bought my jack lines from West Marine. They make various lengths. Check their on-line catalog.
Jacklines
This is quite a forum!! I've been sailing for about 50 years (mostly board boats and day sailors) and didn't know what a "jackline" was
Just got my new WM catalog (what a catalog!!!) and looking for jacklines it seem the shortest line is 30 feet. Mark' idea running to both bow cleats and back to the U bolt in cockpit then I can but a ready made jackline. Why the 1" webbing instead of wire or rope? Mark, do you go thru cleats or around them? Thanks a million Jesse
This is quite a forum!! I've been sailing for about 50 years (mostly board boats and day sailors) and didn't know what a "jackline" was
Just got my new WM catalog (what a catalog!!!) and looking for jacklines it seem the shortest line is 30 feet. Mark' idea running to both bow cleats and back to the U bolt in cockpit then I can but a ready made jackline. Why the 1" webbing instead of wire or rope? Mark, do you go thru cleats or around them? Thanks a million Jesse
Jesse - Flat webbing
Jesse, the flat webbing is used so that when it is stepped on, you won't roll on it and lose your footing.
Jesse, the flat webbing is used so that when it is stepped on, you won't roll on it and lose your footing.
What I would do...
Let me know what you think about this idea... I'd terminate one end of the jack-strap at the mainsheet u bolt in the cockpit, go forward to the mast, take one or two turns around the mast base, then continue forward and tie off to a cleat at the bow. I'd have two tethers so that one could be clipped before unclipping the other while getting around the mast. You wouldn't need to unclip unless you needed to go forward of the mast more than a couple feet. You could reef, etc. while clipped on aft of mast. The reason for rigging this way is that: + I'd rather not be tied to the edge of the rail. Even if you start clipped to the windward side, it will become the leward side if the boat tacks or gybes on you. + The mast will provide some additional support and effectively make shorter runs, reducing sag and stretch. Lead as many control lines back to cockpit as possible. On my H260, I've got a jib downhaul (no roller reefing) led back as well as both halyards. Do have to go to the mast to reef, but unless something hangs up, I don't need to go forward of the mast. Also, learn to heave to so that you can reef or do other work on a much more stable platform; and teach your crew as well so they can heave to to pull you back on board, if needed! Fair winds, Tom
Let me know what you think about this idea... I'd terminate one end of the jack-strap at the mainsheet u bolt in the cockpit, go forward to the mast, take one or two turns around the mast base, then continue forward and tie off to a cleat at the bow. I'd have two tethers so that one could be clipped before unclipping the other while getting around the mast. You wouldn't need to unclip unless you needed to go forward of the mast more than a couple feet. You could reef, etc. while clipped on aft of mast. The reason for rigging this way is that: + I'd rather not be tied to the edge of the rail. Even if you start clipped to the windward side, it will become the leward side if the boat tacks or gybes on you. + The mast will provide some additional support and effectively make shorter runs, reducing sag and stretch. Lead as many control lines back to cockpit as possible. On my H260, I've got a jib downhaul (no roller reefing) led back as well as both halyards. Do have to go to the mast to reef, but unless something hangs up, I don't need to go forward of the mast. Also, learn to heave to so that you can reef or do other work on a much more stable platform; and teach your crew as well so they can heave to to pull you back on board, if needed! Fair winds, Tom
Through Jesse
Yes that is important to go through the cleat. Paul is spot on when he wrote about flat nylon webbing. Wire rope or indeed perhaps nylon rope present a problem when stepped on. One important aspect is to make sure the webbing is stored away when not in use for it does break down with sunlight. Wouldn't we all like to test the effectiveness of our jack lines but I guess very few of us will ever try them out. Jesse make sure the harness you use is certified. I can recall many stories of harness failure. As a matter of interest the benifit of going from the mainsheet U bolt to the bow and back inside the shrouds means never having to unclip until you need to go forward on the opposite tack. But make sure you go out today and buy jack lines. I never, never sail on my own, no matter how calm it is, without being attached to her.
Yes that is important to go through the cleat. Paul is spot on when he wrote about flat nylon webbing. Wire rope or indeed perhaps nylon rope present a problem when stepped on. One important aspect is to make sure the webbing is stored away when not in use for it does break down with sunlight. Wouldn't we all like to test the effectiveness of our jack lines but I guess very few of us will ever try them out. Jesse make sure the harness you use is certified. I can recall many stories of harness failure. As a matter of interest the benifit of going from the mainsheet U bolt to the bow and back inside the shrouds means never having to unclip until you need to go forward on the opposite tack. But make sure you go out today and buy jack lines. I never, never sail on my own, no matter how calm it is, without being attached to her.
jACKLINES
Thanks everyone, I think I've got it now. I will check on harness for certification, never thought of that! Thanks again.
Thanks everyone, I think I've got it now. I will check on harness for certification, never thought of that! Thanks again.
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