Location of Jacklines

[NDH]

Originally Posted by Eleebana

As I read of the tragic loss of another single hander on this forum, I can't help wondering about the postioning of jacklines on most boats. This is in no way intended to be a comment on the lost sailor since I don't know the circumstances. On my boat I rig the jacklines down the centre of the yacht so I can't get thrown over or through the lifelines because the leangth of the tether will not allow it. The jacklines also stops well short of the bow so that if I have to work right at the bow my tether is taut. The only disadvantage I see is that I have to unclip and reclip to get past the mast, but I make sure one clip is on before I unclip the other. It's a bit more hassle but as far as I can see much less than the trouble of trying to pull yourself back over the lifelines. What am I missing?

Greg

I have followed a few threads on Jacklines and can understand the theory that lines down the centre of the boat would be a better option and not allow you fall overboard but.

We have webbing jackstays that run bow to stern along the decks and are taught and with them I can walk from helm to bow without having to unclip.

Now I have looked at many many boats in lots of marinas and all seem to have outer deck mounted jackstays, so the question is how/where do you guys rig jackstays on the centre line of the boat, I have a plethora of lines back to the cockpit and it seems to only clear deck on centre line of the boat is from mast to bow over the forehatch and a short run from mast to companionway.

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by NDH

I have followed a few threads on Jacklines and can understand the theory that lines down the centre of the boat would be a better option and not allow you fall overboard but.

We have webbing jackstays that run bow to stern along the decks and are taught and with them I can walk from helm to bow without having to unclip.

Now I have looked at many many boats in lots of marinas and all seem to have outer deck mounted jackstays, so the question is how/where do you guys rig jackstays on the centre line of the boat, I have a plethora of lines back to the cockpit and it seems to only clear deck on centre line of the boat is from mast to bow over the forehatch and a short run from mast to companionway.

Yep, you hit it on the nail. I think one of the most dangerous areas of the boat is the dodger outside the cockpit. I was on a boat where a Y configuration worked beautifully (single line up the foredeck, then two lines from the mast to each side of the cabin top near the cockpit). A single line up the middle works great for certain boats too (webbing run from pad eye near cockpit to around the mast and then forward to anchor cleat). For some boats, the only realistic solution seems to be the V configuration (bow cleat to points either side of the cockpit). Each boat with its nuances, and assorted gear mounted on decks, make the running of the jack lines a custom job.
I have had a few near misses with going over board offshore and at night. The time to figure out what will happen if you put your harness, tether, and jackline to the test is at the dock Set up your jackline, throw on your harness and try to fall overboard. If your configuration allows you to go over the sides, then go over the sides and get a feel for what you will need to do to get back on board (it might be as simple as making the tether longer so you are swept to the rudder area and to the swim ladder or a well placed grab rail). If you have a single line or Y line config then look at the problem areas of getting around the dodger. I know of a boat that keep their tethers on the jackline to avoid this issue.
Customize to fit your boat and crew.
Erika

[Ram]

Good thread it may save my life- has me thinking about mine, on a cat I have 2 sets of Jack lines one down each side,starting from the center bow-to the stern outside-and it would not keep me from going overboard at the stern- IM going to rig one down the center- I have the duel tether set up with auto inflate pfds, rigged with strobe/light, water proof hand held vhf - I may have to have a custom made tether rigged up because the standard ones are not long enough on a cat(i would think)

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Ram

Good thread it may save my life- has me thinking about mine, on a cat I have 2 sets of Jack lines one down each side,starting from the center bow-to the stern outside-and it would not keep me from going overboard at the stern- IM going to rig one down the center- I have the duel tether set up with auto inflate pfds, rigged with strobe/light, water proof hand held vhf - I may have to have a custom made tether rigged up because the standard ones are not long enough on a cat(i would think)

Every boat is different, and cats more so, but for a cat...

We run the jacklines up over the edge of the hardtop, ending near the aft edge of the hard top. This protects the tricky bit near the cockpit side and prevents us from going over the stern. The bow end, like yours, ends on the front beam midway between the center and the edge.

This way, I can get to the mast and and forestay still not get thrown over the side. They are also out from under foot on the sidedeck and not underfoot by the mast. Since they are not underfoot, we use 5/8" rope, which allows us to leave them set, makes a better hand line, and they don't break down from UV.

If I need to go WAY down to the other side or work hanging off the transom, I have dual length tethers (described above) and simply extend.

Beam has its privileges.

[colo.sail]

Does anyone use permanently mounted tethers - numerous tethers?
Clip on at the cabin, move to the mast, clip next tether to harness and then unclip first.... moving back to cockpit reverses process and tethers are always where you need them.

Each tether could be custom to the length of the boat you are working on.

Sure, you need a few extra this way, but everyone on board would be using the same tethers so the numbers probably work out to be the same as everyone having their own personal double-line tether.

Just curious

[sarafina]

We are re-riggin the Ranger 23 and came across what I think is a brilliant idea... a jack line AROUND the mast. Lines come off it to clip to the harness and you can move around the deck in either direction and to the bow on one line. On a larger boat you would need other clip ins as well, but this solves the issue I have with jack lines running the length of the deck. They seem to be such a possible tripping hazard.

Anyone else used or seen this system?

[s/v Beth]

Originally Posted by sarafina

We are re-riggin the Ranger 23 and came across what I think is a brilliant idea... a jack line AROUND the mast. Lines come off it to clip to the harness and you can move around the deck in either direction and to the bow on one line. On a larger boat you would need other clip ins as well, but this solves the issue I have with jack lines running the length of the deck. They seem to be such a possible tripping hazard.

Good idea Sara. I see a stretched out () with attachments just forward of the dodger and aft of the front deck. A smaller extender with webbing would be used from either side to grab the jackline from the cockpit and snap into it.

Like this perhaps: '()'

Yeah, that sounds like a good system.