Sorry if this is a duplicate in advance... I am looking for advice on safety. I am anticipating that I will be sailing solo most of the season in coastal waters – always within sight of land and will plan on running 2 jacklines on either side of the boat. I am stuck on deciding whether to get an integrated harness /PFD or just get a harness (without a PFD) that will not be too bulky and allow me to wear it during the cool and miserably hot summer months. I am concerned that during the summer months it will be easier for me to convince myself not to wear the PFD with a harness due to weather and comfort. Any first hand advise on what type of equipment to setup on the boat and on your body to keep certain that you’re on the boat w/o causing a great deal of inconvenience, Tony Litvak C
Safety Harness
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Inflatable pfd
Tony, We have inflatable pfds with the harness built in. They are comfortable even in the warmest conditions because they are fairly compact and the nylon material does not feel hot. We wear them in anything over 10 knots of air or if we are going on deck. We have jacklines as well, but only clip in when the waves are larger than 3 footish. The lanyard should have a quick release shackle at the harness side. If you are sailing solo you may want to be sure you clip in to something solid once you get forward to where you will be working. The jackline is better than nothing, but the mast would be even better. Good luck, Steve
Tony, We have inflatable pfds with the harness built in. They are comfortable even in the warmest conditions because they are fairly compact and the nylon material does not feel hot. We wear them in anything over 10 knots of air or if we are going on deck. We have jacklines as well, but only clip in when the waves are larger than 3 footish. The lanyard should have a quick release shackle at the harness side. If you are sailing solo you may want to be sure you clip in to something solid once you get forward to where you will be working. The jackline is better than nothing, but the mast would be even better. Good luck, Steve
inflatable pfd more important than jackline
Tony, I'm going to assume from your location that you're a novice and will be sailing on Long Island Sound, which in most areas throughout the Summer is protected from heavy surf in good weather, so always wearing a pfd is more important than always wearing a jackline. I find the waistbelt type inflatable to be very comfortable when worn facing forward and have never been tempted to sail without it because it's so unobtrusive. If you are dedicated to the idea of using a jackline then check out the inflatables with integrated belt that are worn on the chest. In general inflatables are so much more comfortable (and buoyant) than other types that I think they will be the only type in use in a few years (yeah, like any of the other types are really being used now!)...
Tony, I'm going to assume from your location that you're a novice and will be sailing on Long Island Sound, which in most areas throughout the Summer is protected from heavy surf in good weather, so always wearing a pfd is more important than always wearing a jackline. I find the waistbelt type inflatable to be very comfortable when worn facing forward and have never been tempted to sail without it because it's so unobtrusive. If you are dedicated to the idea of using a jackline then check out the inflatables with integrated belt that are worn on the chest. In general inflatables are so much more comfortable (and buoyant) than other types that I think they will be the only type in use in a few years (yeah, like any of the other types are really being used now!)...
Jackline
I use only one, up the middle of the boat. That way if I fall I won't fall overboard because I'm literally tethered from doing so.
I use only one, up the middle of the boat. That way if I fall I won't fall overboard because I'm literally tethered from doing so.
I would recommend an integrated one
I would add that it doesn't make any difference if you drown in sight of land or not. That part of your post concerns me in that it suggests that you might think it makes some difference to this topic. It does not - I assure you of that. It is probably statistically more dangerous at the dock than at sea. My only direct experience tells me that you cannot expect the harness to do much if any good unless you have a tether attached before inflating. There are several designs and brands which may be different. My wife fell in at the dock and hers auto-inflated - undoubtedly saving her life. I could reach it but there was no part of the harness to grab. When inflated, the harness was not any use in this situation. Even a short tether would have made a huge difference. I finally pulled her dockside by one of her pant cuffs (since that was the only thing I could grasp sufficiently) and then I had to roll her onto the dock. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND TESTING OUT THESE THINGS! - In the water if at all possible. Inflate it and see what it would be like if you were in the water wearing 50 pounds of wet clothes and someone had to pull you up 2 feet by one hand without your assistance. Can the harness be used at all when the water is pulling it up and your weight is pulling you down? Is there anything else which can be grabbed like a webbing loop or lifting strap for this purpose. The D ring is not big enough for getting a grip on and on ours, it was inaccessible when inflated anyway. The tether should have some kind of positive release under load at the harness end so you have that option if you need it. You could drown being pulled along by the boat. I know that does not sound plausible but if you try it, you will find that the water pulling on your legs will pull your head under even with a pfd at about 2 knots. Try it and see if you do not believe me. Have a great season.
I would add that it doesn't make any difference if you drown in sight of land or not. That part of your post concerns me in that it suggests that you might think it makes some difference to this topic. It does not - I assure you of that. It is probably statistically more dangerous at the dock than at sea. My only direct experience tells me that you cannot expect the harness to do much if any good unless you have a tether attached before inflating. There are several designs and brands which may be different. My wife fell in at the dock and hers auto-inflated - undoubtedly saving her life. I could reach it but there was no part of the harness to grab. When inflated, the harness was not any use in this situation. Even a short tether would have made a huge difference. I finally pulled her dockside by one of her pant cuffs (since that was the only thing I could grasp sufficiently) and then I had to roll her onto the dock. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND TESTING OUT THESE THINGS! - In the water if at all possible. Inflate it and see what it would be like if you were in the water wearing 50 pounds of wet clothes and someone had to pull you up 2 feet by one hand without your assistance. Can the harness be used at all when the water is pulling it up and your weight is pulling you down? Is there anything else which can be grabbed like a webbing loop or lifting strap for this purpose. The D ring is not big enough for getting a grip on and on ours, it was inaccessible when inflated anyway. The tether should have some kind of positive release under load at the harness end so you have that option if you need it. You could drown being pulled along by the boat. I know that does not sound plausible but if you try it, you will find that the water pulling on your legs will pull your head under even with a pfd at about 2 knots. Try it and see if you do not believe me. Have a great season.
Why go forward?
Tony Solo sailing usually means convenience in systems. What would make you need to go forward? If the lines are run aft, you should be able to stay in the cockpit. Of course, "something" could happen, so that's what the jack-lines are for. I find staying on the boat is NOT as difficult as some make it out to be. However, I have learned to feel VERY UNCOMFORTABLE without a life jacket. When we went to the BVIs awhile ago, as warm and comfortable as it was, I felt "undressed," if you will, without one, and wore it all the time (we brought our own). We, too, use the combined harness and inflatable, and also have a lighter inflatable only. Single-handing also seems to warrant the automatic type vs the manual. We rarely see the need for jack lines and clipping on, although once out the Gate we do so. Interestingly, it is usually calmer outside the Gate than in the Bay. Stu *box Here I go again: Please include your boat size. Lots of answers really depend on how big your boat is. A 25 footer vs a 40 may get a different answer. Why not just put it in your signature?
Tony Solo sailing usually means convenience in systems. What would make you need to go forward? If the lines are run aft, you should be able to stay in the cockpit. Of course, "something" could happen, so that's what the jack-lines are for. I find staying on the boat is NOT as difficult as some make it out to be. However, I have learned to feel VERY UNCOMFORTABLE without a life jacket. When we went to the BVIs awhile ago, as warm and comfortable as it was, I felt "undressed," if you will, without one, and wore it all the time (we brought our own). We, too, use the combined harness and inflatable, and also have a lighter inflatable only. Single-handing also seems to warrant the automatic type vs the manual. We rarely see the need for jack lines and clipping on, although once out the Gate we do so. Interestingly, it is usually calmer outside the Gate than in the Bay. Stu *box Here I go again: Please include your boat size. Lots of answers really depend on how big your boat is. A 25 footer vs a 40 may get a different answer. Why not just put it in your signature?
I read somewhere
that most male drowning victims are found with their zippers down. Don't know if that is true but sounds plausible to me. Maybe you could attach the tether there to remind you to clip on before undertaking that kind of activity.
that most male drowning victims are found with their zippers down. Don't know if that is true but sounds plausible to me. Maybe you could attach the tether there to remind you to clip on before undertaking that kind of activity.
experienced sailors know best
...I singlehand my 28 foot Beneteau sloop offshore 10-15 miles out on a regular basis...I would never leave the mooring without an integrated harness/PFD...And, yes you need to go forward to unjam a reef line or a jib furler just when the weather turns nasty so the jack line is needed...I would suggest you go to West Marine and try on all the different brands to choose the best for you...then, try it out in the water (all it will cost you is a new co2 cartrige)...btw, if you see me sailing in New York Bay headed for Ambrose Light and I do not have my harness/PFD, I will give you my boat.
...I singlehand my 28 foot Beneteau sloop offshore 10-15 miles out on a regular basis...I would never leave the mooring without an integrated harness/PFD...And, yes you need to go forward to unjam a reef line or a jib furler just when the weather turns nasty so the jack line is needed...I would suggest you go to West Marine and try on all the different brands to choose the best for you...then, try it out in the water (all it will cost you is a new co2 cartrige)...btw, if you see me sailing in New York Bay headed for Ambrose Light and I do not have my harness/PFD, I will give you my boat.
Jack lines
I am predominately a lake sailor on Kentucky lake, but make an annual trip from Charlotte Harbor, FL to Key West. Our rule is that if not down below, you clip in before coming back into the cockpit - period. My sailing buddy down there was out near the Dry Tortugas last fall and helped in an unsucessful search for someone who fell overboard during his single watch. He was not clipped in and they never found him. Can you imagine the feeling watching your boat sail off without you! You also need to think out the jackline situation before you go offshore because if you use two lines inboard of the shrouds or one single line down the center, you can get trapped where your only alternative is to climb back on board in front of the shrouds while being drug through the water. Being a 57 year old and not 30, I don't hiave the strength to climb back in anymore on my own! We use two inboard jacklines and two outboard of the lifelines run from the bow to the stern. We use two tethers - one always clipped onto the jacklines and the other stowed, but attached to the harness, for the time when we might go overboard. In that event, we would clip on the spare tether to the outboard line, unclip the inboard and slide to the stern and enter the boat via the swim platform. You should practice this with someone else on board before going off single handed offshore. If your boat is moving through the water with any speed, the drag is pretty high and the strength to climb on board from the side is very high.
I am predominately a lake sailor on Kentucky lake, but make an annual trip from Charlotte Harbor, FL to Key West. Our rule is that if not down below, you clip in before coming back into the cockpit - period. My sailing buddy down there was out near the Dry Tortugas last fall and helped in an unsucessful search for someone who fell overboard during his single watch. He was not clipped in and they never found him. Can you imagine the feeling watching your boat sail off without you! You also need to think out the jackline situation before you go offshore because if you use two lines inboard of the shrouds or one single line down the center, you can get trapped where your only alternative is to climb back on board in front of the shrouds while being drug through the water. Being a 57 year old and not 30, I don't hiave the strength to climb back in anymore on my own! We use two inboard jacklines and two outboard of the lifelines run from the bow to the stern. We use two tethers - one always clipped onto the jacklines and the other stowed, but attached to the harness, for the time when we might go overboard. In that event, we would clip on the spare tether to the outboard line, unclip the inboard and slide to the stern and enter the boat via the swim platform. You should practice this with someone else on board before going off single handed offshore. If your boat is moving through the water with any speed, the drag is pretty high and the strength to climb on board from the side is very high.
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