This is one of those questions that is very dependent on the boat size
and rigging.

Assuming we're talking sailboats, for now:

On larger boats -- say over 35' or so, there is almost always a spare
jib or spin halyard available, which will do the job well assuming the
rigger was smart enough to leave the line long enough, and there's
some way to use one of the winches.

On smaller boats it get iffy, as there often isn't a spare halyard. I
agree that blocks and tackles are for the birds -- self tailing
winches are much better, but in either case you need a hardpoint to
hang the block and tackle or turning block. The rail is too low, a
ring on the backstay will be difficult to attach, and the end of the
boom is hard to control (and on a smaller boat will tend to pull the
boat over rather than the MOB up). Anything that you want to use has
to be rigged high enough to get the MOB out of the water, which means
it probably has to be permanently rigged, on both sides.

Probably the best thing is to add another tang to the front of the
mast and rig a line that would look like a pole lift that could easily
be taken to either side and the other end back to a winch. Don't worry
that the line is amidships on the mast -- it's high enough so the
angle is OK and it will certainly get the MOB out and up, even if
dragged over the topsides.

Also don't worry about the mast strength. A rough rule of thumb is
that the shrouds have to be strong enough to lift the boat, so on
anything down to the 15' range, the mast will do just fine.

This also means that you have to have a loop in the LifeSling painter
that is close enough to the LifeSling so it doesn't hit the blaock on
the mast when the MOB is on deck and far enough away so you can attach
the halyard to it easily. While all of us and our guests can tie a
quick loop in a line (can't we?), having it there in adavnace means
just one less thing to do.

BTW, we carried a line that went from a winch forward to the partners,
up to a turning block, back to a swivel block at the boom end and
then, when not in use, went forward again to a cleat near the
gooseneck. It was used primarily as a jibe preventer (take the end
forward on either side and tie it to the shrouds or the bow cleat),
but could also be used to hoist things out of the dinghy or the water
(usually a halyard would do this just as well), and was also used to
steady the boom in port (the main sheet pulled down at one end of the
traveler and this line tied off to the rail farther outboard on the
same side).

Jim Woodward
www.mvFintry.com


(Parallax) wrote in message . com...
Gotta be a better way to get a person back aboard than rigging a block
and tackle.

Why not attach a swivelling block to the stern rail so that a line can
be quickly put into it with a large carabiner on the end for hooking
to the MOB. The line runs through the swivelling block (which is
permanently mounted) and then to one of your winches (cabin top jib
winch would be easiest for me, jib sheet winches for others), then you
just put your winch handle in and crank away.

Use the same idea but attach the swivel block permanently to the end
of the boom. Then when it is needed, put the line into it (this has
to be an opening style block so the line can be easily put in it) and
run the line to a winch. With this method, you have a better angle of
pull.

Same idea but mount the swivel block high on your backstay, another
turning block on deck to give a fair lead to the winch... Mount the
backstay block and turning block permanently. This enables the MOB to
be hoisted high out of the water.

Using the backstay enables the system to be used when you are "Hove
To" so you dont have to run the engine to stay in place thus
endangering the MOB.

Perhaps simply use the poly line permanently attached to your
LifeSling and place it in the opening blocks after the MOB is in the
LifeSling.

Using a winch is second nature to most of us sailors whereas a block
and tackle, hmmm.

The primaries on a medium size boat will most likely be sufficient to hoist
250# by the average size crew member. Say size 40 or even better size 44
selftailing.

However, it would be a mistake to abandon the use of a block and tackle if
the winch is smaller that this.

If anyone is in doubt, just rig up a halyard directly to a 200+ person on
deck and ask the wife to take it to the winch and grind away. I think you
will then agree that some additional purchase, if not required, would make
the job a lot easier..

It seems like some are afraid of the tangle mess often found in a stowed
block and tackle. There are proper ways to store this gear.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

"Steve" wrote in message
...
The primaries on a medium size boat will most likely be sufficient to
hoist
250# by the average size crew member. Say size 40 or even better size 44
selftailing.

However, it would be a mistake to abandon the use of a block and tackle if
the winch is smaller that this.

If anyone is in doubt, just rig up a halyard directly to a 200+ person on
deck and ask the wife to take it to the winch and grind away. I think you
will then agree that some additional purchase, if not required, would make
the job a lot easier..

It seems like some are afraid of the tangle mess often found in a stowed
block and tackle. There are proper ways to store this gear.

I have a 5:1 block and tackle with cam cleat. Even a 70 pound weakling
can hoist me (240) out of the water by grabbing a hold of the line
and sitting down. Rigging the B&T is faster than monkeying with
fairleads and winches. It costs a little more but I get to use it
for other wonderful things like hoisting the dinghy aboard.

The hardest part of MOB recovery, by far, is hoisting them out
of the water. There are far too many people who think about
how they are going to handle the boat to get close to the victim,
and then think they'll just haul them out of the water. Nuh uhh.
Way too hard, especially if the MOB is out of gas. I just heard
a story about a situation in Santa Cruz where the MOB was
recovered, just barely, by an outboard powered inflatabe with
12 inches of freeboard. Despite the MOB having one leg up
and in the boat and help from the boat driver, he was barely
able to get in.

Matt

Matt/Meribeth Pedersen wrote:

The hardest part of MOB recovery, by far, is hoisting them out
of the water. There are far too many people who think about
how they are going to handle the boat to get close to the victim,
and then think they'll just haul them out of the water. Nuh uhh.
Way too hard, especially if the MOB is out of gas. I just heard
a story about a situation in Santa Cruz where the MOB was
recovered, just barely, by an outboard powered inflatabe with
12 inches of freeboard. Despite the MOB having one leg up
and in the boat and help from the boat driver, he was barely
able to get in.

While I believe hoists have their place, (our mainsheet can be moved to
the end of the boom and cranked in with the primaries, giving up to 60:1
purchase) I believe that making it easy to get from water level to deck
is an improvement that keeps on giving. Our transom mounted swim ladder
has three rungs in the water, making it easy for large, unathletic
guests to board. It can be dropped at a moment's notice and I discovered
that I could climb aboard even at 5+ knots (A couple of times, I cleared
crab pots without disengaging the autopilot and found myself suddenly
bodysurfing....)

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/