Safety Tether

[Brian Duff]

I would use a tether like you suggested, and I would rather trust my life to one of my splices than to some machine or commercial assembly line 'seam-ster'
If you handed me a 1/2 three strand tether with saftey locking clips at each end and a cow hitch in the middle, instead of that snapshackle and seizing. That way who ever is wearing it can adjust the lengths as they see fit.
Splice carfully, and use an extra set of tucks maybe too....

[Ian McColgin]

Thinking of tethers from a different point of view:

The reasons for double legged tethers are generally that they give some choise of movement and that they make it possible to clip past lifeline stauncheons without disconnecting completely.

The double legged lifeline is a bit of extra tangle and working from the longer lead, while it can give you a bit more access from the weather rail, can give you a long way to fall before catching up.

On my boats, I found double legged tethers unnecessary if proper jack lines, one for each side, were rigged bow to stern. With such jacks, a tether that's about long enough that one can just grab the far end will hold the far 'biner off the deck a tad as you work your way foreward or aft and, counting jackline stretch and assuming intelligent placement, will give access to the masts from either side and pretty much all of the foredeck.

You may have to train for going forweard on the lee rail for those rare times when you must work on that side. Many folk find it emotionally uncomfortable, though at an extreme heal it's actually safer and more comfortable to lean into the boat rather then bending against the weather lifelines.

Even with the end of the tether within reach, many consider it a safety feature to have a 'biner at the chest as well, in case one must disconnect in a hurry, like the boat's sinking. With the end within reach, this is not a real worry. With a figure 8 type harness, it's comfortable to have the chest end of the tether attached to one D ring or sholder loop and pass through the other, a plain loop around both for security, and on out. That way the harness is loose unless there's load on the tether. If the harness is a bit large for the wearer, a 'biner at the near end will foul, maybe even open, as it runs against the loop.

For these reasons, I've moved away from double legged tethers. But, different boats, different long splices. A tether you use is better than someone else's hypothetically better (for them) tether that you don't like.

G'luck

Ian

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Ian McColgin

On my boats, I found double legged tethers unnecessary if proper jack lines, one for each side, were rigged bow to stern. With such jacks, a tether that's about long enough that one can just grab the far end will hold the far 'biner off the deck a tad as you work your way foreward or aft and, counting jackline stretch and assuming intelligent placement, will give access to the masts from either side and pretty much all of the foredeck.

Another thought, with a boat rigged much as Ian describes. My jacklines run fore and aft, tight, on both sides outside the shrouds. I usually clip on with the short, 1m leg of my tether when going forward. If I will be working at the mast, I clip the 2m leg on and wrap the 1m leg around the mast. In the cockpit, the 2m leg gives me access to the entire cockpit without having to move my attachment point. It also lets me clip the 1m leg on to a jackline before unclipping the 2m leg from a cockpit hardpoint.

sail fast, dave