Ian McColgin
The sixty footers used for the "Wrong Way" around the world race have vinal covered cable jacklines set up fairly tightly. Visiting one of the boats during their Boston layover, I was surprised to find that they do not roll under foot. There is no other cable along the deck and thus it's not possible to mistakenly clip onto something other than the jack line. Even though the wire is tight, the run is long enough that it's easy to clip on.
Of course, a permanent installation of this sort makes sense on a large yacht that is sailed hard and exclusivly off-shore.
For my own boats, I preferr flat tubing. As noted above, rigging as needed is part of the mindfullness of it all, protects the tape from decay when not in use, and provides regular inspection. The flat tape not only does not roll under foot - though one could slide on it - but it is also unmistakable from anything else on deck. Use a fibre jack line and you might well clip on to a sheet.
G'luck
Ian
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