Lifeline tether with regular PFD - good or bad idea?

[romandesign]

I'm just starting sailing with my Mac 26D, so I'm being very cautious. Of course I won't sail in heavy weather or offshore, always close to civilization etc. and no racing. I always wear PFD - for now a regular PFD from Costco, but when I get more comfortable I will only wear an automatic inflatable PFD that I have. However I just thought that it would be nice to tether myself when I'm on the deck in waves or sudden strong wind etc. I know that serious guys do it when racing etc. with special harness and lines, but I'm just a leisurly cruiser, never alone, so this is just an overprotection really. I want to have something that can just clip to my automatic inflatable lightweight PFD if that's possible. So I thought - what if I just take two carabiners and a short piece of rope, clip one side to PFD strap on my side or handle on the top back and the other on the lifeline so it could slide between the stuncheons. That way I could walk on deck tethered when I want to. Not a hardcore rock-climbing level tethered, but with something that would prevent me from going overboard if I trip or if boom sweeps me overboard during accidental jibe. I'm thinking about making rope not too long, just maybe 1.5 meters or so - not long enough to drag me while I'm in the water: I would either hang outside of the boat loudly swearing or the line would fail and I'd be free.

Does this idea make sense? Do you think the vest straps won't hold my weight (80kg) if I fall? They kinda should be able to, especially the top back "handle". In other words, is this better than no tether at all or does it actually create more dangers than no tether at all? I think the big guys also use special lines, not regular lifelines along the side of the boat, but those should be able to hold my weight - that's their purpose as lifelines I assume. I'm on virtually zero budget at the moment.

What do you think? If you use anything cheap - what do you use?

[dlandersson]

You don't want rope - you want something flexible - like a life line (sold on Amazon.com). Some studies have been done that show that a non-flexible line can give you quite a "jerk", enough to mess you up.

[NiceAft]

Also,

You want to attach the tether to something that will not rip. Will that handle on you PFD be sturdy enough? I believe you also want the tether to attach at your front, not your side.

Just to make you aware, there is a negative point to a tether. If it is too long, you might not be able to get back onto the boat; even possibly drown while being towed alongside the boat.

Ray

[dlandersson]

Also,

There are PFD's sold with a "tether point"

http://www.apsltd.com/sailing-clothing- ... thers.html

Also,

You want to attach the tether to something that will not rip. Will that handle on you PFD be sturdy enough? I believe you also want the tether to attach at your front, not your side.

Just to make you aware, there is a negative point to a tether. If it is too long, you might not be able to get back onto the boat; even possibly drown while being towed alongside the boat.

Ray

[Tomfoolery]

You need a PFD with a ring made for that purpose.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... --14897433

And a jackline, preferably down the center of the boat. Or an attachment point at the helm. And as pointed out, you don't want to be hanging over the side, getting dragged through the water.

But if you don't sail alone, I would think a good PFD and a sailing partner who can get the boat back to you would be the way to go. And a throwable (Type IV), which is required equipment anyway, but it should be on deck ready to deploy. I mainly use seat cushion PFD's now (USCG approved Type IV throwable flotation devices), as the horseshoe kind of gets in the way when docking, and I sit on one or two throwables anyway, so they're always right there, ready to go.

[romandesign]

Also,

There are PFD's sold with a "tether point"

I already own regular and automatic inflatable PDSs (and it's expensive!), so I won't buy another one just for the sake of tether point... Maybe I would just take a leather belt and use it as harness to attach to? I have a fairly lousy "utility rope" from Canadian Tire that's rated to 110kg and is very strechable. If I take two ropes for insurance, I guess it will stretch quite a bit if I hang on it, so shouldn't be too "jerky"... I realize it all sounds laughable, but I'm just trying to figure out if it's better than nothing or not worth bothering at all...

[dlandersson]

The $64 question:

What is your life worth? You can't renegotiate while you're being dragged, unconscious, along side.

Also,

There are PFD's sold with a "tether point"

I already own regular and automatic inflatable PDSs (and it's expensive!), so I won't buy another one just for the sake of tether point... Maybe I would just take a leather belt and use it as harness to attach to? I have a fairly lousy "utility rope" from Canadian Tire that's rated to 110kg and is very strechable. If I take two ropes for insurance, I guess it will stretch quite a bit if I hang on it, so shouldn't be too "jerky"... I realize it all sounds laughable, but I'm just trying to figure out if it's better than nothing or not worth bothering at all...

[romandesign]

The $64 question:
What is your life worth? You can't renegotiate while you're being dragged, unconscious, along side.

In that respect what I am considering is not in any way different from buying a new PFD with integrated harness: the only way I'm going to be dragged under water is if the line is too long and would permit that. No different with a new harness/PFD. The only possibility that is different is that my PDF could fail and line will be ripped away, but that means I won't be dragged anyway :-/

[sailboatmike]

As posted before you need a jackline, these generally run the length of boat down the middle so you dont have to unclip to move forward, given the length of the Mac one from the helm to the mast would do the job.

I almost always wear my jacket type PFD, I just like it, it makes me feel comfortable and its a great to keep the wind out, ALWAYS wear one when your sailing solo, even if the conditions are calm you just never know, it only takes a slip or a trip and your taking a bath, there are no second chances when in the water

[romandesign]

As posted before you need a jackline, these generally run the length of boat down the middle so you dont have to unclip to move forward, given the length of the Mac one from the helm to the mast would do the job.

I almost always wear my jacket type PFD, I just like it, it makes me feel comfortable and its a great to keep the wind out, ALWAYS wear one when your sailing solo, even if the conditions are calm you just never know, it only takes a slip or a trip and your taking a bath, there are no second chances when in the water

I'm definitely wearing PFD at all times when sailing, that's for sure. Just trying to figure out if I'd want to tie it to something as well...

[sailboatmike]

This may give you some ideas

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/ ... 899-1.html

This is very sobering, a test conducted by a renown boating mag

http://www.pbo.co.uk/seamanship/is-it-s ... ther-25125

[Highlander]

u can buy tethers for a reasonable price why waste ur time on something likely cost u more to buy the parts

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0710/ ... 1426289790

u can also buy safety harness separately

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0710/ ... 1426289788

https://victory-products.com/collection ... cts?page=3

J

[dlandersson]

Really nice article. My tethers clip to the rings on the boom.

This may give you some ideas

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/ ... 899-1.html

[romandesign]

This may give you some ideas

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/ ... 899-1.html

This is very sobering, a test conducted by a renown boating mag

http://www.pbo.co.uk/seamanship/is-it-s ... ther-25125

Thaks! Will read it all...

[mrron_tx]

The $64 question:
You are correct Sir No do-overs at that point. Ron.
What is your life worth? You can't renegotiate while you're being dragged, unconscious, along side.

Also,

There are PFD's sold with a "tether point"

I already own regular and automatic inflatable PDSs (and it's expensive!), so I won't buy another one just for the sake of tether point... Maybe I would just take a leather belt and use it as harness to attach to? I have a fairly lousy "utility rope" from Canadian Tire that's rated to 110kg and is very strechable. If I take two ropes for insurance, I guess it will stretch quite a bit if I hang on it, so shouldn't be too "jerky"... I realize it all sounds laughable, but I'm just trying to figure out if it's better than nothing or not worth bothering at all...