Lifelines

[RobS]

Thinking of adding lifelines for added safety as I have 2 youngsters plus I like the look. Have a good price from a reputable local sailing rigger to make up the hardware. Search results are nil on this site. Anyone with experience, positive or negative? Here's a for sale boat with them.

[Elizabeth Ann]

RobS,

Do you have a link to the website with that boat? I can't make out the detail too well. I've been thinking about adding lines as well, for ascetic purposes. However, I was thinking about going with 1/4" line only, no rigging hardware.

I'm not sure if a knot immediately before each hoop on the bow rail will be sufficient to hold tension on the line. Or if I would need to take a wrap around each bow rail....though I'm thinking a wrap may not look good.

Also, I've been wondering if I should leave the pulpit area free - in other words each side of the boat has an independent line not a continuous line through the pulpit. I think I'm leaning toward two side with the pulpit free. I envision people tripping if they need to do anchor windlass work.

My goal is no additional hardware like tensioners.

[JackK]

I have the safety lines on my boat. They are mainly for asthetic purposes on my boat. The only thing I've ever clipped in is the safety lines on my fishing rods when the younger folks are fishing.



They do add a nice look to the boat.

Jack

[Elizabeth Ann]

ok, so the pulpit is open as I suspected. And it looks like your using vinyl over metal cord/wire (I assume) - right? Not line? How is it installed..what holds the tension on the line?

Thanks JackK.

[Pitou]

Lifelines are never a bad idea whether for the young, old or in between. I love having them.

On PITOU they run as independant lines on each side from the far aft stantion to the bow stantion leaving the bow free for anchor maneuvers. The lines are PVC coated stainless wire .... guessing 3/16 - 1/4". To really get the lines tight a turnbuckle is in line attaching to the loop on the rear stanchon. The line then runs forward through the loop on each stanchon terminating at the bow using a stainless thimble through the forward stanchon loop and back upon it self using a crimped (what I think is a) zinc copper plated sleeve. I hope this helps.

As I was typing away Jack's post came up. Ditto on PITOU. If you would like some close-ups let me know ..... happy to be a shutterbug!

[rt11002003]

Lifelines are pretty much standard equipment on sailboats. In fact they're required in off shore racing. Also, I've never seen an off shore cruising sailboat without lifelines.

Recent thoughts, and rule changes, have eliminated coverings on wire lines because the coverings can conceal damage and potential failure points.

Unfortunately, a majority of the lifeline installations are inadequate. Generally they're too low, the stantions aren't properly installed and the space between the line and deck is too large.

Between the bow pulpit, the stern rails and the lifelines the entire boat should be enclosed.

With our deep cockpits on our vessels and a minmum of working on deck we're probably more secure, but I'd put lifelines on Bella Donna if I could find a way to install the stantions.

Gene

[RobS]

Thanks for all the input guys.

Jack- thanks for the photo - she looks awesome.

Elizabeth Ann - below is the info on a local supplier. He did all the Albin's for White Water in Sayville. He said to give him precise measurements and he's gonna make up the lines with the ends, hardware, etc for me to install and it's gonna run about $225 for all. I believe it was 3/16" stainless cable with vinyl coating that brings it up to 1/4". I'm gonna stop by his shop to check it out before I go forward.

I had said to him since you did all the Albins for White Water don't you have the specs. He said with Albin you can't assume it'll be the same from one to another

Doug Westins Boat Shop Inc (Westin's) 69 River Rd, Sayville, NY 11782-3229, United States (631) 589-1526

[Mariner]

If, like ours, your boat has the SS railing all around, with provisions for mid-height lifelines, I think installing them is mostly for cosmetic reasons, though it might be good if you have children. I've frequently eyed the little hoops on each post and thought it would be nice to have them, but I'm sure the expense far outweights the benefit, especially on a boat like ours with high gunneled walk-arounds.

If the boat does not already have the railings, I highly recommend installing stanchions and lifelines. Rope will not cut it, it must be stainless steel cable, tightened with turnbuckles.

[AlanD]

I added my own two weeks ago, glad I did for the kids. Had to send my son up to run the windlass and was glad those were there to keep him out of the soup. Easy install with some gear from Westmarine.


Alan