Taking down safety line.

Gazmn · Post by **Gazmn** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:39 pm

I'm also considering taking off the two safety lines that go along the cockpit on both sides. I'm moored and get taxied to my boat and jump in over the side.

They're about 9 inches above the side rails and can also be a pain getting my fenders over, between and under when docking

Im interested in any and all thoughts.
-Gaz

Post by **kmclemore** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:27 pm

Why not just do this...

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=524

Post by **kmclemore** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:28 pm

Ha.. great minds think alike, Frank!

(edit - awww, now you've gone and deleted it!)

ALX357 · Post by **ALX357** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:02 am

or this ...
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=700

rockman · Post by **rockman** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:27 am

The Dealer in Australia includes the removeable lines as part of the package - with pelican hooks. We often unhook then when moored to allow easy access - but always have them connected while sailing. I have seen other mac's with two safety lines fitted (to stop their young child from falling over).

Cheers

RockMan

mtc · Post by **mtc** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:37 am

Why would you take it down? Isn't the risk of falling over too great, particularly there?

ronacarme · Post by **ronacarme** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:52 am

I did this...
1.Remove adjusters (plate portion cut off with dremel tool).
2.Lash the lifeline thimble, with sufficient wraps of a length of light but strong line, to the eye of an eye-type pelican hook (e.g. Reddenmarine.com, Sea-dog brand, 4", cast 316 SS, order#11461, $8.96 apiece).
3. Insert bail of pelican hook in eye on stantion (formerly occupied by the adjuster's pin) and close......adjusting the lashing's length balances easy bail opening/closing with tensioning the lifeline to the desired extent.

Thereafter, conventional opening/closing of the pelican hook bail releases/reattaches that end of the lifeline.

I believe one of the other members of this board was first on this idea.

The cabin top lifelines now conveniently drop out of the way for mast raising/lowering and for wintercover installation.

As strong as the stock lifeline attachment? Dunno.

Ron

Craig LaForce · Post by **Craig LaForce** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:59 am

I cut my cockpit safety lines off so long ago I forgot I had done it. they were a pain to deal with and I have not missed them a bit.

But it is just me on the boat, for guests or kids maybe the lifeline serves some value.

If you really think there is a risk of going over the side, a harness/tether and clipping on would be more the thing.

Sloop John B · Post by **Sloop John B** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 6:14 am

Kevin's picture is what I have on all four lifelines. Under $30 from Sailnet. No need to goof with pushpit eye or lifeline splice. Use plenty of 'no sieze' on stainless threads and use two nuts to lock it when it's just right.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 6:56 am

My boat came like Kevin shows in his picture. One of the many little and some maybe not so little up grades / improvements Bill provides his customers. IMHO it pays to buy from those who sail these boats NOT just sells them.

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:12 am

kmclemore wrote:Ha.. great minds think alike, Frank!

(edit - awww, now you've gone and deleted it!)

Kevin - you're right, our thinking & pictures were identical, but you were first! ... avoiding mee-too!!

Also, Gaz ...
not sure why your lifelines complicate your fendering.
I always attach the aft fender to the pushpit rail, and two more fenders at each cabintop stanchion. You can even buy widgets from WM that enable hanging them from the cabintop lifelines.

However, learn the clove hitch and it's much easier to attach them directly to the stanchions, and even easier (than the widgets) to adjust hanging height for various piers.

This "figure-8 clove hitch" is the easiest way to memorize the knot.

Thanks to some other member here ... check out www.boatsafe.com for an amazing list of other boating tips - easy to lose yourself on that website for a couple of hours.

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:07 am

From a previous post date Jan 6, 06

Chip Hindes wrote:
bob lee wrote:i can't speak about the lines on a mac
I can.

While standing on the port (leeward) cockpit seat, an unintentional jibe knocked me all the way across the cockpit, headfirst. As the boat heeled heavily to starboard and the rail came within a few inches of burying itself, I cleared the starboard side of the cockpit completely. My shoulder and all 225 lbs slammed the lifeline about halfway in between the stanchions. Except for knocking the wind out of me and (I thought at the time) almost dislocating my shoulder, everything held and I stayed in the boat.

I had replaced my original stock lifelines with upgraded pelican hooked lines made at the West Marine rigging shop, but there's no reason to think they would perform any better than the stock lines. Later the only damage appeared to be a slightly loose lifeline, which I took up by cranking a few additional turns onto the pelican hook. They may look pretty flimsy, but that's about the worst test I can think of, and they held just fine. I'm now a firm a believer in good lifelines, at least in the cockpit.

R Rae · Post by **R Rae** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:31 am

Thanks for the various options on something that my feeble brain cells have labored long and hard over these past four years, but never thought to ask about.

BTW can anyone explain how to slow down that knot video a bit !!

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Post by **Duane Dunn, Allegro** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:34 pm

These hooks work without any modifications to the existing lifelines

ALX357 · Post by **ALX357** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:31 pm

Duane, where are those hooks available ?

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Taking down safety line.

Taking down safety line.

quick release cockpit and cabintop lifelines

Bill at Boats4sail did mine

Clove Hitch for Fenders