Harness / PFD / Both

[nfbr]

I saw a comment today of using a harness with no PFD, and jacklines setup that you can’t go overboard / stay inside lifelines

Does anyone have a preference for OR rather than AND?

Thanks
Paul

[gamayun]

I have been considering this especially while singlehanded and thinking about getting back inside lifelines with a fully inflated/tethered PFD. IMO, you also have to think through your own specific scenarios such as whether you'd have capable crew on board, typical water temperatures, how far offshore, the ease of getting back on boat, survival potential if in PFD versus no PFD. Then make your plans accordingly. This sounds morbid but some people claim that another reason for wearing a PFD is it's better for finding a body than without. Just another one of those things to think about....

[DeValency]

While there are pros and cons, I would still prefer a non automatic PFD with an integrated harness.

[meirriba]

I always suggest to arrange the lifeline/s along the centre of the boat (as opposed to the more or less accepted practice along the toerails). It allows more freedom of working on the mast base/boom with reasonable tether length but less chance of falling overboard.

[chrisr]

we prefer combined harness + manual PFD

haven't rigged the jacklines in so long i almost cannot recall where they go, but in principal far enough inboard so you cannot go out seems like a good idea

(it's somewhat different on cats...)

cheers,

[Don C L]

I've never gone over or even been blown across the deck (yet) to strain the harness. For fun I tried hanging off the boat on the tether once. Yikes. Now I have a tether short enough that if I am over the rail, clipped to the jack line, I am not close to being dragged in the water! And by the way, ever tried to haul yerself back up on deck? It made me wonder why anyone would have a tether longer than about 2 feet.
There's always the inflatable PFD + harness too of course. I still don't trust the automatic ones but I've never put one to the test.

[Benz]

My preference in harness without PFD. Arm's length tether (adjustable length daisy-chain type), and many centerline clip-in points. The most important thing is to stay aboard.