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.

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.

Yep. Good plan. In fact you should carry no safety gear at all, which will make
you VERY careful!
Holy halibut.

RB

Bobsprit wrote:
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.

Yep. Good plan. In fact you should carry no safety gear at all, which
will make you VERY careful!
Holy halibut.

Have you ever sailed a dinghy? Like, with no lifelines, no harness, no
barometric windspeed toys, and no ornamental knives? It's a bit different
from a large yacht - on a dinghy, if you stay *inboard*, you fall in the
water.


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

Have you ever sailed a dinghy? Like, with no lifelines, no harness, no
barometric windspeed toys, and no ornamental knives?

Hmmm....you mean like the laser I spent a summer sailing? Or like a Flying
Scott? How about an old Albacore??? Lots of fun! Sunfish? Yep...sailed those as
well when I was a kid. Lightening....well, kinda moving away from the dinghy
idea...but yep! Cape Dory Typhoon? Rhodes 19? Yep, yep....but again, they had
heavy bottoms!

Sorry, Wally.

RB

Bobsprit wrote:

Hmmm....you mean like the laser I spent a summer sailing? Or like a
Flying Scott? How about an old Albacore??? Lots of fun! Sunfish?
Yep...sailed those as well when I was a kid. Lightening....well,
kinda moving away from the dinghy idea...but yep! Cape Dory Typhoon?
Rhodes 19? Yep, yep....but again, they had heavy bottoms!

So, you appreciate that it's possible to sail a boat without having
lifelines fitted, and to have a good chance of surviving the experience.
Thank you.


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

So, you appreciate that it's possible to sail a boat without having
lifelines fitted, and to have a good chance of surviving the experience.

So long as you can swim. Flipping a dinghy is part of the fun, especially in
heavy air when you push the limits. For your little boat? A simple harness is
more than enough and I doubt you'd use it much, unless you want to be a safety
suzzie when singlehanding. My biggest concern with your boat would be a
knockdown, which can happen with those little pokey cruisers. Make sure her
cockpit storage is fixed shut and hatchboards are secure in heavy air.
Now stop it!

RB

Bobsprit wrote:
So, you appreciate that it's possible to sail a boat without having
lifelines fitted, and to have a good chance of surviving the
experience.

So long as you can swim. Flipping a dinghy is part of the fun,
especially in heavy air when you push the limits.

Absolutely.


For your little
boat? A simple harness is more than enough and I doubt you'd use it
much, unless you want to be a safety suzzie when singlehanding.

More for if the weather gets bad. The estuary near the marina narrows and
occasionally gets very choppy.



My
biggest concern with your boat would be a knockdown, which can happen
with those little pokey cruisers. Make sure her cockpit storage is
fixed shut and hatchboards are secure in heavy air.

Yup. Cockpit lockers have cleatable retaining/locking cords. The
companionway hatch is one of those loose boards things which I want to
improve on, and the internal sofa lockers need looking at as well.


Now stop it!

But I can't - you're on the line and tugging beautifully!


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

Give it up Bob.... we all know there is a maximum weight restriction on a
Laser!!!

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| Have you ever sailed a dinghy? Like, with no lifelines, no harness, no
| barometric windspeed toys, and no ornamental knives?
|
| Hmmm....you mean like the laser I spent a summer sailing? Or like a Flying
| Scott? How about an old Albacore??? Lots of fun! Sunfish? Yep...sailed
those as
| well when I was a kid. Lightening....well, kinda moving away from the
dinghy
| idea...but yep! Cape Dory Typhoon? Rhodes 19? Yep, yep....but again, they
had
| heavy bottoms!
|
| Sorry, Wally.
|
| RB

It's a bit different
from a large yacht - on a dinghy, if you stay *inboard*, you fall in the
water.

Good Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, the centerboard is not for tracking,
but just a big handle to help turn the boat over.

RB

That said, I
think a harness would be in use by then in any case.

Okay, now I'm positive that this is all a troll!
Whew! Glad that's over.

RB