Swinging from a halyard to jump in the water

[coastalexplorer]

It was not my intent to suggest that the haliard rope could not handle the load. when changing sails we un-cleat and release the tension. attach the end or bend on a different sail before loading it again. there is no spring bow effect. However I see that others have reported doing it. mostly on larger craft.

[SteveSadler]

Spinnaker halyards can't be damaged by a little fun, look at what they're designed for!
Being an old fuddy duddy isn't going to encourage anyone to get on your boat with you.
Notice in the video, a fender is on the halyard so the slack line doesn't wrap around your leg.
Jump off the bow pulpit and see how far you can go, they'll be back for more!

Working on a 90' schooner, we'd take a main halyard, wait for a deep roll, launch off the bowsprit, climb the line 3' to clear the water, swing way out around the gaff mains boom, continue up the other side to the foremast shrouds.

[Jono as 2234]

Used to do this all the time. Best results are to get the crew to start the boat rolling, lead the halliard aft outside the shrouds and take a run forwards, spring out at the extent of the roll. We would compete to see who was catapulted the farthest. Like most things, start off conservatively until one gets the hang of it.

Just let go of halliard if you mis time the swing.

If someone forgets to let go, well that's Darwin at work

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

My adultish (21-22 y.o.). 190 pound sons have asked if they can swing off the deck hanging on to the halyard. My response is a reflexive "absolutely not".

It is certainly me echoing my father's admonishment against doing that on our boat with a wooden mast.

So what do you all say about that? Remember I have a 28 foot boat with 2,900 pounds of ballast.

Would you let them swing for joy?

Tell him to grow up! What happens when he doesn't clear the deck?

[b_rodwell]

I was anchored in Prickly Bay, Grenada. Next to me was a monohull called Family of Five. The 'Five' was because their were 5 kids onboard.

The kids often entertained themselves for hours by hooking onto a halyard, swinging out, jumping along the side of the boat forward and back and then finally dropping into the water. It looked great fun and I was a little envious.

A few days later one of the kids appeared with a plaster cast on his arm. I presumed this was caused by the swinging. Was it worth it? I would not be surprised if they are still doing it!

Cheers

Brian

[chrisr]

absolutely go for it. if the gear can't handle it, it's better to find out while playing in a quiet anchorage than out at sea one day...but the loads involved are nothing compared to a flogging kite

this reminds me of a regatta once...no wind...AP up...and we are all sitting waiting. one of the bigger boats started playing halyard games, but they could lead the halyard back to a high speed winch. guys were jumping off the bow and being flicked 40' in the air. very entertaining for all !

cheers,

[psk125]

People can get tangled in things and/or swing back into the boat if a halyard is used. When my crew wants to swing we set up a line from the end of the spinnaker pole. The topping lift holds up the pole and we tie it off forward and aft to keep it sticking well out from the boat. Kids then grab the end & swing out - away from the boat. The swimmer can then pull the dangling line back to the boat for the next person.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

My adultish (21-22 y.o.). 190 pound sons have asked if they can swing off the deck hanging on to the halyard. My response is a reflexive "absolutely not".

It is certainly me echoing my father's admonishment against doing that on our boat with a wooden mast.

So what do you all say about that? Remember I have a 28 foot boat with 2,900 pounds of ballast.

Would you let them swing for joy?

Only if they promised to scrub the bottom while they're down there

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

My adultish (21-22 y.o.). 190 pound sons have asked if they can swing off the deck hanging on to the halyard. My response is a reflexive "absolutely not".

It is certainly me echoing my father's admonishment against doing that on our boat with a wooden mast.

So what do you all say about that? Remember I have a 28 foot boat with 2,900 pounds of ballast.

Would you let them swing for joy?

That's just not safe.
Maybe they'd like being picked up by a Spinnaker though.
That's easy enough! spinnaker riding
SV Cloud Duster

[Chotu]

Every single time I went sailing on every boat when I was in my early 20's.

It's part of what makes sailing fun when you're young.

If your boat can't take a halyard swing, you need to hire a rigger to fix that rig before you hurt someone.

[Tillsbury]

Another game my mate used to play on his J boat in SF bay was to haul in both sides of the spinnaker dead downwind, stand on the bow pulpit in front of it, then releast both tack and clew of the spinnaker go at the same time to lift the guy off the boat in the spinnaker. Go about and dump him off the side :-)

[BigAl.NZ]

Is Spinnaker sailing done at Anchor or underway? If at Anchor to do you need a stern anchor to keep you pointing down wind?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by BigAl.NZ

Is Spinnaker sailing done at Anchor or underway? If at Anchor to do you need a stern anchor to keep you pointing down wind?

At anchor, and yes, anchored by the stern.

Jim

[Moontide]

Entertaining reading with my morning coffee.



First, 190 lbs is nothing on a halyard or block. The greatest chance of hurting the boat is from a blood stain on the topsides if the swinger doesn't leg go in time.



Halyards are not going to stretch and spring back, blocks aren't going to break and boats won't flip (well I guess maybe you shouldn't do it on a dinghy).


As far as damaging the rigging goes. People ask me if its OK to grab a shroud when boarding from amidships. I tell them if they break it I will thank them. Better at a dock than at sea. If your rigging can't take a 190lb load (even with the higher load when you jump) you need new rigging.


Always fun to have a laugh early in the morning though.

[denverd0n]

It won't harm the boat. I did it off of a San Juan 23 when I was in my 20s. Smaller boat, shorter mast, less ballast.


For the person doing the swinging, with just a little bit of caution, it is no more dangerous than a rope swing from a tree into a lake or river. And I did that a LOT when I was a kid.


I say, let 'em have their fun.