When to Attach to a Jackline

[Fearnow]

While cruising, at what point do you connect to the jack line? It may seem like a dumb question, but I'm new at this. I'm not talking about during heavy sea and night. That's a no brainer. I have a small fear of falling over, and with my wife down below, not realizing that I've gone for a swim.

[Snore]

I day sail and take multi-day trips. I set up my jackline before leaving the dock or lifting the anchor. Kinda like reefing..... If you think you need it, it is too late.

[Fearnow]

Are you out solo, or do you keep it on with crew on board?

[model 10]

I must be lazy because I leave it rigged all the time. I find the process of rigging it, lashing the end or ends takes to much time. Since switching to a Polyester cover it lasts several years.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by Fearnow

While cruising, at what point do you connect to the jack line? It may seem like a dumb question, but I'm new at this. I'm not talking about during heavy sea and night. That's a no brainer. I have a small fear of falling over, and with my wife down below, not realizing that I've gone for a swim.

When in doubt, just do it. It is not for yourself, it is for your love ones.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Fearnow

While cruising, at what point do you connect to the jack line? ---

Before you leave the cockpit.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Whenever you want to - it's the Skipper's call for self and crew. What others do will vary from never to whenever going on deck. and neither of those are absolutely right or wrong.....but both are irrelevant to "you".

But as a rough guide I would say that whenever you either feel that the risk of going overboard has increased (even if not yet beyond comfort level!) or that the consequences of going overboard would be even more of a disaster than usual (no one onboard who could mount a MOB rescue and / or who would require a SAR for themselves).

Using them in conditions where you do not automatically feel the need for them on deck is good practice for when you do!, working with / around them is a bit different and like many things on a boat the time to learn and get comfortable with things is usually not in a gale!

[model 10]

We seem to need the definition of "jack Line" again The thread has drifted to tether as being a jack line.

[hoolie]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Before you leave the cockpit.

+1 Always when underway

[svmariane]

Originally Posted by Fearnow

I have a small fear of falling over, and with my wife down below, not realizing that I've gone for a swim.

You've answered the question for your own personal situation. Hook up. Nobody who's been to sea will ridicule you for using a jack line/tether.

People WILL ridicule you if you survive a MOB situation and try explaining why you DIDN'T hook up.

But that's just my opinion....

[rebel heart]

People have managed to stay on ships for thousands of years by employing seamanship, which unfortunately for a lot of people can't simply be purchased in the safety isle of West Marine. The whole notion of sailing for tens of thousands of miles, 3/4 of that time in ~10 knot conditions, while tethered to a jackline is silly.

Our jacklines are rigged anytime we're headed offshore, and we clip into them at night or when there's a decent chance of going in the drink.

The skill of knowing when a decent chance exists is part of seamanship.

[Fearnow]

My question has been more then answered, and thanks to all. I'm going to play it safe. I have a lot of places I want to see before checking out. Can't imagine a worse way to go, either.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Fearnow

While cruising, at what point do you connect to the jack line? .

Its a feeling... I normally clip on at night unless its quite calm. I wouldnt clip on daytime unless its quite rough.
I normally clip on if I need to work on the foredeck.

I clip on when going forward to watch dolphins.

If you do it as you feel the need to you will learn more than doing it when someone else thiinks you need to.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Fearnow

While cruising, at what point do you connect to the jack line? It may seem like a dumb question, but I'm new at this. I'm not talking about during heavy sea and night. That's a no brainer. I have a small fear of falling over, and with my wife down below, not realizing that I've gone for a swim.

When it first crosses your mind. If your wife is below and doesn't know to save you, then you might as well be single-handing.

It's not about the jackline. It's about the tether. How short is your tether?

[Liam Wald]

Originally Posted by Guy

I must be lazy because I leave it rigged all the time. I find the process of rigging it, lashing the end or ends takes to much time. Since switching to a Polyester cover it lasts several years.

Where do you get jack lines with polyester cover. I have been using nylon and replace them every year since I always leave them rigged ( I sail mostly single handed and lots of overnighters).