katysails wrote:
How necessary are lifelines on a small boat like my 18-footer?

The psychological effect that there is something there to grab hold
of?

Yup, that's one consideration. As Neal says, though, not having them might
make one more cautious and aware, and thus more careful about how one moves
around.


Our 19' daysailer didn't have them but she was deep welled...you'd
have to really clamber to get out of her and there was no need to go
out on the teeny piece of foredeck... our 22 had lifelines, if it
hadn't had them, I would not have broken a bunch of ribs...but that's
another story....

About the only time I can think that going out to the foredeck might be a
worry is if there's a need to switch from working to storm jib. That said, I
think a harness would be in use by then in any case.


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