I'm trying to equip myself with the means to solo sail to the island (Catalina) whenever I feel like it since my wife doesn't always want to go. So, my list of safety equipment is as follows: Auto life vest/harness, tether, jacklines, floating handheld radio. I figure those are the basics that I'd feel safe with. I'm not very worried about anything happening, and I've sailed virtually alone (with another person who wouldn't know what to do anyway) many times and I don't plan on sailing in foul weather. But, it's for that just-in-case situation.
Rather than just going to WM and buying a bunch of stuff, I'm trying to learn what to do. I now have a couple of different harnesses and a new auto-vest-harness (Type II rated). As for the auto-vest, I picked this particular one because Type-II is rated to flip most unconcious people over so they don't drown. Some of the other vests are rated Type III only. http://www.pfdma.org/choosing/types.aspx
Then, I went and purchased a couple of clips/shackles at the swap meet, both of the high end rated brands, one quick-release snap type for the harness end like this:
and the other a hook-shackle with rebar lock? (not sure the right description) looks something like this:
So, I've got a quick-release under load clip at the harness, and a dual-action clip at the anchoring end. Then, I just used some 5/16" braided line to make a 6 foot tether.
Now, I need something to attach myself to in the cockpit and some sort of jacklines.
I'm not sure the ones sold at WM are any advantage to me over buying some rated climber's webbing: (30' for under $14 at REI) but they won't have any loops or clips on the ends. Is sewing a loop at the end myself good enough? Or tying it to the bow cleat reliable enough? And will 30' reach from bow cleat to stern or do I need to find something longer, 35 or 40 feet? (assuming I'll need longer)
Then, there's the issue of how to stop the jacklines at the cockpit. I don't have anywhere to tie them in or around the cockpit. I have some padeyes on the deck there but right the edge well outside the stays. I don't think that will work very well unless I use it to tie a horizontal jackline straight across the cockpit (which might be a cool idea).
Then, I was also thinking that maybe a bolt hanger attached to the bolts that hold my stairs in place right under the companionway might be good for a cockpit anchor. What would you think about that?
https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Rock-Sentinal-Bolt-Hangers/dp/B0027Y55ZC
Am I over thinking all this? Or, am I on the right track and just do what works? What does everyone else do on their C30's?
I'm not a fan of drilling holes in my boat.
Rather than just going to WM and buying a bunch of stuff, I'm trying to learn what to do. I now have a couple of different harnesses and a new auto-vest-harness (Type II rated). As for the auto-vest, I picked this particular one because Type-II is rated to flip most unconcious people over so they don't drown. Some of the other vests are rated Type III only. http://www.pfdma.org/choosing/types.aspx
Then, I went and purchased a couple of clips/shackles at the swap meet, both of the high end rated brands, one quick-release snap type for the harness end like this:
and the other a hook-shackle with rebar lock? (not sure the right description) looks something like this:
So, I've got a quick-release under load clip at the harness, and a dual-action clip at the anchoring end. Then, I just used some 5/16" braided line to make a 6 foot tether.
Now, I need something to attach myself to in the cockpit and some sort of jacklines.
I'm not sure the ones sold at WM are any advantage to me over buying some rated climber's webbing: (30' for under $14 at REI) but they won't have any loops or clips on the ends. Is sewing a loop at the end myself good enough? Or tying it to the bow cleat reliable enough? And will 30' reach from bow cleat to stern or do I need to find something longer, 35 or 40 feet? (assuming I'll need longer)
Then, there's the issue of how to stop the jacklines at the cockpit. I don't have anywhere to tie them in or around the cockpit. I have some padeyes on the deck there but right the edge well outside the stays. I don't think that will work very well unless I use it to tie a horizontal jackline straight across the cockpit (which might be a cool idea).
Then, I was also thinking that maybe a bolt hanger attached to the bolts that hold my stairs in place right under the companionway might be good for a cockpit anchor. What would you think about that?
https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Rock-Sentinal-Bolt-Hangers/dp/B0027Y55ZC
Am I over thinking all this? Or, am I on the right track and just do what works? What does everyone else do on their C30's?
I'm not a fan of drilling holes in my boat.
