I would say not very necessary. Mostly, they give you a false
sense of security at best. At worst, they're a hazard. On bigger
boats, when you're going up to the front a lot, I can justify them
I suppose.

Still, after all the dumb comments and useless advice, I have to step up to the
plate and offer the only valid statements.
Lifelines are a must and this is why...
You can hang cupholders from them.

Capt RB

Bobsprit wrote:
Aye, that's a good point. I've never felt that I was about to fall
off the dinghies I've sailed - good non-slip footwear and a hand on
the mast or a bit of standing rigging seemed to be fine for keeping
my balance.

Hand on the mast?
Holy hulkster.

Dinghy masts are eminently grabbable, Bob.


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

Bobsprit wrote:
I was meaning when having to attend to the halyards at the mast or do
stuff on the foredeck - there are harness attachment loops inside the
cockpit. I'm thinking that a similar loop at the base of the mast
might be a good ide

Jesus wept.

I'll take your word for it.

You have to imagine the scale of things on an 18 footer, Bob. I can reach
the mast from the companionway and a suitable loop bolted to the mast step
would be very secure. With the harness attached to that, I can get right up
to the bow roller.


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

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.

Bobsprit wrote:
I would say not very necessary. Mostly, they give you a false
sense of security at best. At worst, they're a hazard. On bigger
boats, when you're going up to the front a lot, I can justify them
I suppose.

Still, after all the dumb comments and useless advice, I have to step
up to the plate and offer the only valid statements.
Lifelines are a must and this is why...
You can hang cupholders from them.

No stove. No hot stuff to put in cups. No cups. Ergo, no need for
cupholders.


--
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

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

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.

You have to imagine the scale of things on an 18 footer, Bob. I can reach
the mast from the companionway and a suitable loop bolted to the mast step
would be very secure.

Wally, get a grip. I've been sailing aboard a Cape Dory Typhoon (18.5 feet) for
the past 4 years. No lifelines. Go forward carefully and keep low. Now stop
your whining about lifelines and harnesses for cripes sake. And get some
running lights. They're cheap to buy and will expand your range. Right now
you're sailing what we call, a "Lugosi" which means you have to come ashore
when the sun drops!

RB

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