Jeff Morris wrote:

I sailed for many years in smaller keelboats Rhodes 18 and 19's,
Etchells, Solings, IODs, etc. which never had lifelines, and I never
missed them. However, this was mainly day sailing or racing in
relatively protected waters.

Which is what I'll be doing with mine - short races local to the marina and
daysails in the estuary.


When I started cruising, in on smaller
boats (about 24 feet and up) I appreciated lifelines. But to be
useful, they must be at least 25 inches high.

Mine are barely 18", maybe a bit less. I kinda feel they're there for show
more than anything else.


I'm not sure I see the
value of short lifelines on an 18 footer.

As I said to Bob, it was more in case I was missing something like harness
attachment. I think they'll be going - time to hit the lathe and start
making plugs...


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.