Probably right, but people do use them for balance. I don't have any on
my boat, so it's not an issue. On the boats on which I teach, I make sure
people are crouching or crawling if they have to go forward in bad
conditions.

"John Cairns" wrote in message
...
That was a rhetorical flourish. I've never thought of lifelines as a
primary
safety item, mainly for the reason that they won't keep you on the boat if
push comes to shove. Last summer when we were doing the feeder race for
Bay
Week I went under the lifelines up to my thighs on the bow of the J-33. If
I
had been unfortunate enough to be unconscious at the time I would have
keep
right on going. The stanchion was the grip of last resort at the time. And
of course I have gone forward in a crouch when conditions merited it. My
point was, and remains, they are not an important safety item for the
primary reason that they will not keep you on the boat in the types of
conditions you're referring to, and thinking of them as such is silly and
naive. Even relying on them in moderate conditions would be hubris at
best.
John Cairns
"Jonathan Ganz" wrote in message
...
Actually, I've done that several times, even in the bay. It can get
pretty
rough.
Certainly off the coast also.

"John Cairns" wrote in message
...
So, when you go forward you crawl on your hands and knees? You really
need
to spend some time offshore Bob.
John Cairns
"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...

Lifelines are very useful and important:
1) Working forward, stay low and they can and will catch you
2) If you take a fall from anywhere, accept over them, they can and
will
catch you
RB