> I could use some general advice on good practice for harnesses and
> tether mounting points. Knowing nothing, what I have is a 18' piece
of
> 5/16" nylon line (stretchy is better?) fastened to the base of the
> mast. It has a carabiner on the bitter end for attachment to the
> harness ring. The length of the line allows me to reach any point on
> the P-15 and if I end up in the water it should be long enough to
keep
> me clear of the prop or allow me to surface should the boat turtle.
Hi Dave et al,
One of the sad lessons learned two weeks ago during the race around the
Farallon Island outside the Gate was that you can drown with a tether that
allows you to leave the boat. The skipper died when he was dragged behind
the boat and his crew couldn't pull him in. A rogue following wave popped
them both up in the air and they landed outside the boat. The boat kept
sailing along, dragging them both. In Bay water of 45-55 degrees, you don't
have any strength after two or three minutes in the water and you can't get
yourself back in.
I would speculate that a short tether with a quick release from the harness
is better than a long tether if the boat capsizes. It's not quite the same,
but while windsurfing, I have been trapped under the sail with my harness
still hooked on. It only takes a second to free it and swim out from
underneath.
A short tether will keep you from falling overboard. A long one won't. Most
drownings occur when someone falls overboard on the Bay, gets hypothermia,
and can't climb onboard or be lifted aboard. Rarely is it due to a
capsize. It's easy to swim to the boat if it's capsized usually, it's not
moving that fast (unless the clew of the mainsail is sticking straight up and
the main sheet is still cleated.)
By the way, the strength of the tether is important. From what I've read, a
200 pound man falling overboard hits the end of the tether with a force on
the order of 1-2000 pounds. ORC specifications for tethers require a
minimu breaking strength of 4950 pounds, and snaps must have a minimum
breaking strength of 3300#. Jacklines for 6000# pounds. Harness webbing
must have 3300# breaking strength and have 1575 working loads strength.
Food for sober thought.
Judy B.