Well, do you need them to hang fenders from ...


Wally wrote:
That's a very good point. :-) Since I was planning to plug the holes with
bolts rather than glass over, maybe U-bolts of the right width would be a
better idea.

If the holes have been compromised in some way, leakage or excessive flexing, or
even just a lot of freeze/thaw cycles, then you're better off taking out the old
laminate edge and filling them all with new fiberglass. Then you can put in
U-bolts (bad idea) or padeyes or whatever, with secure knowledge that this
important structural part of your boat is sound.




Those are
the usual functions, since lifelines as commonly installed are next
to useless for preventing crew overboard.

I think I can find alternative ways of fulfilling those functions - my
concern was more about whether safety would be compromised.

Well, everything on a boat does a lot of different stuff. Part of what makes it
fun. If you have no other use for lifelines, they are mostly in the way (and the
smaller the boat the more so), then ditch 'em. Reduce weight, reduce windage,
reduce maintenance, and you can sell the parts.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King