Harness Attache Point?

[WinSome]

This is a serious safety topic. Do a site search for ‘jackline’ discussions. Some good ideas exist. Google search has fresh ideas. Invest in quality equipment-if you like yourself! Consider using flat webbing for your jackline. It stays flat on the deck and is crazy( check the specs!) strong. A short tether is all you’ll need.

[NiceAft]

WinSome is correct about the seriousness of the topic, but a safety measure possibly more of use than a tether is a life vest.

Here we are discussing techniques for a Jackline, yet many boaters simply dismiss the idea of wearing a PFD. I seem to fall into the minority of requiring anyone boarding my Mac to wear a PFD.

Storms arise occasionally, but times spent aboard in good weather far outnumber bad weather times. I’m pretty sure there are more drownings on nice days than stormy ones.

Just venting.

[WinSome]

I’m in total agreement Nice Aft. PFD is the first item everyone coming aboard uses. No exceptions.
Wanta have some water/demo fun? Ask a good swimmer to jump in and then time how long it takes to put on the PFD. They’ll never forget how that goes!

[pitchpolehobie]

I’m in total agreement Nice Aft. PFD is the first item everyone coming aboard uses. No exceptions.
Wanta have some water/demo fun? Ask a good swimmer to jump in and then time how long it takes to put on the PFD. They’ll never forget how that goes!

Everyone outside of the cabin needs a life jacket underway and if you're inside you need one within arms reach. Most boater fatalities are also alcohol related so the captain can't drink before or while underway. I personally haven't figured out a great way to use jacklines. I am at the point where I'm avoiding those conditions. I think a self righting life jacket is important if you're knocked out you want your face upright. Hmm veering off topic.interested to see any real solutions to this.

[Jimmyt]

I went overboard last March due to an accidental gybe. I was not on a tether, but did manage to grab a line as I was going over. We were on a downwind run, about to raise the asymmetrical, when the wind started to pick up. While we were reconsidering raising the asymmetrical, a slight wind shift caused a gybe. I was standing on deck, aft of the mast, and was swept off by the sail and boom. I grabbed a shroud initially, but my hand decided that was not going to work, and released it; finding a line to take over instead. At this point, I'm fully clothed, being dragged at 4-5 knots, bumping alongside the boat. Several seconds later, my PFD inflated, slapping me in the left side of my face (the first portion to pop thru the Velcro). This coincided with the helmsman reaching over to grab for me; leaving me with a brief impression that the helmsman had punched me in the face (going overboard in cold water can be a bit disorienting- even though our water doesn't get all that cold). I told the helmsman I had a line, asked him to let me go, so I could get to the stern ladder and re-board. Once I got to the stern ladder, I still couldn't re-board due to boat speed. The crew headed the boat up and I was able to get back aboard. Since it was my boat, I had a change of clothes aboard. In a few minutes, I was warm, dry, and we were sailing again.

Some observations:

If I had been alone with an autopilot steering, I would have lost my boat. I was close enough to shore, and the water was warm enough to survive the swim; but I couldn't have gotten back on the boat at that speed. Since I had a line in hand, I could have simply let go. I've heard some of my solo-sailing buddies say they drag a line with a float on it. Personally, I don't think you'd be able to re-board in anything other than very light conditions using this method. If you think you can, go out with a crew and try it.

A tether that was long enough to let me go overboard, would have been ok with crew, but a death sentence if soloing on autopilot (unless I had a way to cut the tether or otherwise release myself under strain on my harness/tether). Think your tether approach through very carefully. Also, don't loiter on deck aft of the mast (my mistake); particularly when running (downwind sailing).

A short tether that kept me aboard, may have injured me as the boom and sail tried to push me overboard while the tether resisted, making me and the tether into the effective main sheet.

Sailing is amazing, but can injure you seriously, or kill you - even when you think you are prepared. Yeah, a preventer would have kept us from gybing, so I wasn't totally prepared... But, I was wearing a PFD, sailing with a skilled crew, and still managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The new iPhone is, in fact, water proof for several minutes at shallow depths.

[pitchpolehobie]

I've read about solo sailors tying their tether to their mainsheet so it releases and luffs if OB.

[Jimmyt]

I've read about solo sailors tying their tether to their mainsheet so it releases and luffs if OB.

If you recall the arrangement they used, I'd be curious to see how that works. I'm not sure how to make that work.

[OverEasy]

Maybe a Clevis and Pull release pin quick disconnect fitting….?



A small line connect from the tether to the ring loop. When pulled taught it pulls the pin.
Maybe like the 50lbs snap lines what we used on our old static line parachute jumps back in the olden days…..

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Jimmyt]

Maybe a Clevis and Pull release pin quick disconnect fitting….?



A small line connect from the tether to the ring loop. When pulled taught it pulls the pin.
Maybe like the 50lbs snap lines what we used on our old static line parachute jumps back in the olden days…..

Best Regards
Over Easy

I used those on my mast raising shrouds and MRS stabilizer shrouds. When there is a load on them, pulling the pin takes a lot of effort (or maybe I'm just wimpy). 50 lbs might do the trick, not sure. I doubt I can put that much on it using one finger and thumb in spot mine are in.

So, how would one use these to rig up a main sheet system that released the main sheet as he gracefully exits the deck, head first...? And, if you're running downwind on autopilot, does releasing the main sheet stop the boat?

[OverEasy]

Hi JimmyT!

Heck…Idunno

Maybe where the main clips on to between the pedestal hoop eye and the boom pulley block?

As far as the 50 lb break line line I was just thinking one might not want to get hung up but thinking about it more I’d back away from that and go with a much stronger line to ensure the pin gets pulled.

What do you think?

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Be Free]

I think that as long as the wind is not aft that releasing the main will cause the boat to round up into the wind. I also think that if the wind is aft and you do the same that you are going to watch your boat sail away from you.

[OverEasy]

Hi Ixneigh!

If your looking for something smaller but still want the range of your Mac26M how about this littl’gem





The guy in the photos is the designer/ builder.
He is gonna take it transatlantic in the spring purportedly.
Single seat and self righting!

He’s an Englishman so that might have something to do with it…….
Gotta admit he’s got some spirit to go for the smallest transatlantic sailboat record!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Ixneigh]

Re mini ocean crosser; That boat draws too much.
Re harness snaphooks: carry a knife.
Re flying a spinnaker off an M: are you nuts?

Ix

[NiceAft]

I went overboard last March due to an accidental gybe. I was not on a tether, but did manage to grab a line as I was going over. We were on a downwind run, about to raise the asymmetrical, when the wind started to pick up. While we were reconsidering raising the asymmetrical, a slight wind shift caused a gybe. I was standing on deck, aft of the mast, and was swept off by the sail and boom. I grabbed a shroud initially, but my hand decided that was not going to work, and released it; finding a line to take over instead. At this point, I'm fully clothed, being dragged at 4-5 knots, bumping alongside the boat. Several seconds later, my PFD inflated, slapping me in the left side of my face (the first portion to pop thru the Velcro). This coincided with the helmsman reaching over to grab for me; leaving me with a brief impression that the helmsman had punched me in the face (going overboard in cold water can be a bit disorienting- even though our water doesn't get all that cold). I told the helmsman I had a line, asked him to let me go, so I could get to the stern ladder and re-board. Once I got to the stern ladder, I still couldn't re-board due to boat speed. The crew headed the boat up and I was able to get back aboard. Since it was my boat, I had a change of clothes aboard. In a few minutes, I was warm, dry, and we were sailing again.

Some observations:

If I had been alone with an autopilot steering, I would have lost my boat. I was close enough to shore, and the water was warm enough to survive the swim; but I couldn't have gotten back on the boat at that speed. Since I had a line in hand, I could have simply let go. I've heard some of my solo-sailing buddies say they drag a line with a float on it. Personally, I don't think you'd be able to re-board in anything other than very light conditions using this method. If you think you can, go out with a crew and try it.

A tether that was long enough to let me go overboard, would have been ok with crew, but a death sentence if soloing on autopilot (unless I had a way to cut the tether or otherwise release myself under strain on my harness/tether). Think your tether approach through very carefully. Also, don't loiter on deck aft of the mast (my mistake); particularly when running (downwind sailing).

A short tether that kept me aboard, may have injured me as the boom and sail tried to push me overboard while the tether resisted, making me and the tether into the effective main sheet.

Sailing is amazing, but can injure you seriously, or kill you - even when you think you are prepared. Yeah, a preventer would have kept us from gybing, so I wasn't totally prepared... But, I was wearing a PFD, sailing with a skilled crew, and still managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The new iPhone is, in fact, water proof for several minutes at shallow depths.

Jimmy,

Thanks for that post.

You are the only member of this site that I can recollect, posted such a story. I am thankful for you being relatively unscathed. A bruised ego doesn’t count

[Jimmyt]

Jimmy,

Thanks for that post.

You are the only member of this site that I can recollect, posted such a story. I am thankful for you being relatively unscathed. A bruised ego doesn’t count

Thanks Ray. The ego died a long time ago. I have a wife and three daughters... I haven't done anything right in 40 years.