The notion of having no deflection on the forward section of lifelines, is what we do on Xena. It is essentially two pieces of lifeline attached with a fitting, such that the slack in the middle section of lifeline is independent of the slack in the foward section. I installed the fitting for two reasons: safety-- it eliminates the chafe/bending of the life-line and this is where they almost always fail, and I didn't want any slack on the bow; but wanted it all where the hikers are.

I personally have no problem with the higher stanchions being proposed, as long as the current arrangement is also legal, and this is what I suspect the west coast boats will stick with... except for those that are contemplating long distance ocean races.

Mark Lowry

:: Since it is the holidays and the holidays are about
:: giving I thought I’d launch another thread on the class
:: website and give something to think about over the
:: holidays. I’d like to start a discussion on lifelines
:: and a proposal to update and improve the rule.
::
:: To save the trouble here is the rule we all know and
:: love:

:: A. Life lines are required. They must meet the following
:: criteria:

:: 1. Minimum height 12".

:: 2. Not be bent outboard of a projection of the factory
:: installed socket.

:: 3. Combined maximum deflection between the pulpit and
:: the forward stanchion and between the forward stanchion
:: and the aft stanchion when supporting a 5 pound weight
:: at the middle of the aft span shall be 5 inches total.

:: They shall be continuous from the aft stanchion to the
:: bow pulpit on each side. Minimum size is 1/8" stainless.
::
:: In short what I’d like to see is a higher minimum
:: stanchion height, more allowable deflection using bungee
:: to tighten the life lines and allow spectra and / or
:: high density foam padding as material. The main reason I
:: pose this issue is improving safety and comfort while
:: maintaining performance. I think moving to this proposed
:: setup (similar to a Melges 24) can accomplish this.
::
:: I’ll start with safety, I’ll start by saying the 5 pound
:: weight thing is a joke. 5 pounds of pressure on a
:: lifeline indicates nothing, especially when the life
:: line does not stretch. I look at the rule now and what I
:: see is a height of 12” that hangs down another 5” giving
:: an effective range of 12”-7” of protection. Evolution
:: came with this setup and it scared the crap out of me
:: and we don’t get nearly the wind you folks get out west.
:: So what we really have is hiking lines, not life lines
:: anyway. I say that because what I’m proposing is
:: technically hiking lines, which is what we really have
:: already like it or not.
::
:: Below a comparison of Express vs Melges height. You can
:: see the higher and safer setup on the Melges.
::
:: http://express27.org/photos/1923.jpg
::
:: http://www.melges24.com/photogalleries/images/G17_5878_large.jpg...
::
::
:: The Melges setup does deflect more in total, but is
:: higher when in rest and still goes just as low as what
:: the current Express rule allows. These setups have the
:: same effective performance.
::
:: http://express27.org/photos/1987.jpg
::
:: http://www.melges24.com/photogalleries/images/G17_5310_large.jpg...
::
:: The number one reason to oppose this would be cost. One
:: way to address that is to allow the current setup under
:: a grandfather clause. Also making a deflectable spectra
:: and or foam padding life line set up is not that
:: expensive. You can get higher stanchions and switch to a
:: bungee / spectra life line with existing tube pads for
:: around 180 bucks. If you wanted to get more fancy you
:: could get the same pads which the Melges 24 uses for 300
:: bucks. They do fit, I’ve done a side by side comparison
:: with a Melges buddy when we were waiting for wind during
:: a prestart. It is not like we are talking arms race
:: here. I’d say that the overall performance improvement
:: is negligible. But safety and crew comfort would
:: improve.
::
:: To quickly address safety on the bow there would be a
:: separate piece of life line for that section which has
:: zero deflection. Also in the back for us Detroiters who
:: don’t like sliding out of the back of the bus. The
:: bungee tightened / deflectable portion would be in the
:: middle, where the crew hikes.
::
:: Another quick issue is worn out spectra becoming a
:: safety issue. That’s solved by regular inspections and
:: I’m sure all you salt water folks inspect your wire
:: lifelines regularly.
::
:: So there it is, to use the Sailing Anarchy vernacular
:: flame away.

:: -Dan