Hi Jud,

...in favor of several fixed tethers around the boat... I still have jacklines in place, but I honestly can't remember the last time I clipped onto one of them...

I've really come to favor the use of a couple of tethers attached at the base of the mast, long enough to reach back to the cockpit where I can clip one on before stepping out on deck. You can see one in the pic below, the bright yellow line draped over teh control line for the boom brake... that's one of the reasons normal jacklines are a bit problematic for me...

But I've found I'm much more likely to clip onto a tether now, than I used to be - all I need to do is slip on a harness... but the thing I really like about this arrangement is the increased security I have when at the mast, taking in a reef.... I have one of those Schaefer t-track cleats on my spinnaker pole track positioned at chest height that I can shorten the tether to once I'm up there, making for a very secure operation - especially if I'm on port tack, and having to reef when standing on the leeward side of the main...

These tethers allow me to go forward, as well. I have another one fixed at the base of the inner forestay that leads back to the mast, so if I'm at the bow I can be clipped on to 2 tethers at once, if I really feel the need... I have another fixed in the cockpit, just long enough for me to reach the windvane to make a course adjustment, which is generally the riskiest maneuver I routinely have to make back there...

Obviously, this system is more suited to a smaller boat like mine with the mast positioned well aft, on something like a 50-footer, it would involve some overly long tethers... Still, I think it's a viable alternative to jacklines on anything up to around 40 feet, or most center cockpit boats...

This would be an ideal application for climbing rope with a bit more shock-absorbing stretch to it, I'll probably get around to making the switch one of these days...

best regards,

Jon