Jacklines (vs jack's line)

[Ian McColgin]

Sounds like you've gotten as far as not getting your center of mass too far past the gunnel. Some quiet day with a safety person to get you out of trouble in the event of failed experiments try tumble scenerios at different positions along the boat. If you have lifelines, see how you hang up with a topple over versus a slither under and through. With lifelines you cannot go aft along the hull to a lower spot so finding out what happens near the bow, where the narrower deck means you could be further over, matters.

In simulation you'll want to take it slowly since the forces get large quite fast and there's no percentage in breaking deck gear. But you may wany an appreciation of how it can feel. Start by just doing a free-hang in your harness. This will give you some useful insights into how to adjust the fit so the shackle through the rings at your end does not crack your chin or poke your throat. Graduate to giving it some bumps working up to a couple feet of freefall. If you're not a climber with some previous fall experience, you'll be shocked.

My current jackline-tether-harness system is a little different due to the needs of my catboat. Marmalade really can't accomodate lifelines without making her more dangerous out of the cockpit and, like many catboats, she has steps on the rudder. I found it well to make my tether long enough that I would hit the water if overboard and I could then work my way aft - jacklines arranged for no obstructions - and around the stern to climb up there. After at anchor tests, I tried it underway and found it works great.

Every boat demands its own set of solutions.

G'luck

[JohnV]

I think experimenting with simulated overboard falls is a great idea and I'll make it a point to do it sometime. I do worry about the issue, as I usually sail alone. My main focus is on fetching up against safety before going past the lifelines. I could see where a catboat would permit a centerline rig more easily than my cutter does for reasons I mentioned above. I'd much prefer it otherwise.
I have wide side decks, a 6" bulwark and 30" double (amsteel blue) lifelines, safety features I'm glad for. But it's an impossible chin-up from the water to the gunwale. So I'll keep the tether short, and avoid too much slack in the jacklines.
JV