OK, now let mw start off by saying I am not trying to be CHEAP at the expense of safety. I may be frugal, but I don't like to think of myself as foolish. That being said, here is my question. In order to satisfy my wife's desire of keeping her children's father safe, she insisted that when I go out alone that I wear a safety harness and tether. I have no problem there. I went out and bought a good harness (about $50), but looking at tethers, they were more expensive than the harness for a heavy nylon strap. Am I missing something? Why so expensive for this simple thing. (Don't say 'cause it's for a boat) Why couldn't I fashion my own line or strap (appropriate rating) with fasteners? If someone can point out to me the value/safety of buying a pre-made tether, I'll get one. In the mean time, why not just tie off with a good, sturdy line?? Tom
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William Jowell
D
Dan
Reason
Tom, The reason that you do not want to tie off with a line is that it precludes escape. For example, people have drowned when falling overboard and getting trapped next to a moving boat. You want to get a strap with a pull lanyard that attaches to your harness. Even better yet, attach the strap to an autoinflatable PFD. That way if you go over and need to detach you will take some flotation with you. I use one that is 6' long and find that it tends to get in the way sometimes. My next one will be one of those doubles with the expandable length. Depending upon conditions or location (+4' seas or open ocean anytime), I will wear mine even when my girfriend is on the boat as she could do little to recovery me at this point in her abilities. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
Tom, The reason that you do not want to tie off with a line is that it precludes escape. For example, people have drowned when falling overboard and getting trapped next to a moving boat. You want to get a strap with a pull lanyard that attaches to your harness. Even better yet, attach the strap to an autoinflatable PFD. That way if you go over and need to detach you will take some flotation with you. I use one that is 6' long and find that it tends to get in the way sometimes. My next one will be one of those doubles with the expandable length. Depending upon conditions or location (+4' seas or open ocean anytime), I will wear mine even when my girfriend is on the boat as she could do little to recovery me at this point in her abilities. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
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Miles
Why so expensive...
The webbing stuff is pretty cheap but the snap shackle and/or Wichard hooks are surprisingly expensive, like $30-$50 each. I think if you price out the components you see geting a premade one is the way to go... Be safe, have fun...
The webbing stuff is pretty cheap but the snap shackle and/or Wichard hooks are surprisingly expensive, like $30-$50 each. I think if you price out the components you see geting a premade one is the way to go... Be safe, have fun...
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Bob
What Price Safety?
Tom: You want something that has been tested and proven effective for the purpose intended. Would you put yourself on an experimental aircraft just because tickets were half price? I'm a fellow Chicago boater with this being our second year of sailing, so still pretty new. Two weekends ago, I wished I had been wearing mine. Were cruising along with a beautiful 12 -14 knot wind with full sails up when all of a sudden we got hit with an offshore wind that gusted to 22-24 knots. A little bit much for us novices. Not only that, but my wife was down below taking a nap when all of a sudden she was "jossled" from her slumber and looked out in the cokpit area and couldn't see myself or our partner. Of course she thought we might have gone over, but I had been bounced over to the port side of the cockpit while our helmsman was out of sight on the port side also. All she could see out the port side window was lots of water!! Had I been alone, it would have been a comfort to have been wearing my inflatable harness type PFD and my harness and tether. Luckily I had two other crew members with me. Just imagine the worst situation you could be in while sailing alone and then think of the best type of equipment that will keep you alive and then go buy it!! Bob S/V "Never Say Never"
Tom: You want something that has been tested and proven effective for the purpose intended. Would you put yourself on an experimental aircraft just because tickets were half price? I'm a fellow Chicago boater with this being our second year of sailing, so still pretty new. Two weekends ago, I wished I had been wearing mine. Were cruising along with a beautiful 12 -14 knot wind with full sails up when all of a sudden we got hit with an offshore wind that gusted to 22-24 knots. A little bit much for us novices. Not only that, but my wife was down below taking a nap when all of a sudden she was "jossled" from her slumber and looked out in the cokpit area and couldn't see myself or our partner. Of course she thought we might have gone over, but I had been bounced over to the port side of the cockpit while our helmsman was out of sight on the port side also. All she could see out the port side window was lots of water!! Had I been alone, it would have been a comfort to have been wearing my inflatable harness type PFD and my harness and tether. Luckily I had two other crew members with me. Just imagine the worst situation you could be in while sailing alone and then think of the best type of equipment that will keep you alive and then go buy it!! Bob S/V "Never Say Never"
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Steve O.
What are you talking about?
Tom: Go looking on the web for these. They start at about $50-60. I've seen them at PYACHT and JSI both. If you take the adv. from the web to your local West Marine they will match it. $50-60 for a harness $50-60 for the tether. $120 damn man, your worth it!
Tom: Go looking on the web for these. They start at about $50-60. I've seen them at PYACHT and JSI both. If you take the adv. from the web to your local West Marine they will match it. $50-60 for a harness $50-60 for the tether. $120 damn man, your worth it!
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Wilkie Marvel
Costly Snaps
Tom, I think you will find the major cost is for the Snap Hooks used on pre made tethers. I do agree they are expensive but when you price out comparable Hooks I think you will find the cost for the webbing is minimal. In a Bermuda Race I had a problem where I was very glad I had a secure tether... Suggest you splurge on yourself!!!! Wilkie Marvel
Tom, I think you will find the major cost is for the Snap Hooks used on pre made tethers. I do agree they are expensive but when you price out comparable Hooks I think you will find the cost for the webbing is minimal. In a Bermuda Race I had a problem where I was very glad I had a secure tether... Suggest you splurge on yourself!!!! Wilkie Marvel
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