Hey Dan,

I have a pair fixed at the base of the mast running back into the cockpit on each side, this arrangement works very well for me. I still have jacklines, but rarely use them, except when working on the foredeck, but I have another fixed tether from the base of the staysail that runs back to the mast... For a small boat like mine, this is the best setup, IMHO - though I see on reason why it won't work fine on boats up to at least 40' or so...

Several advantages to this system for me. First of all, I am much more likely to use it when going on deck, all I have to be wearing is a harness... I find there's a big difference between wearing a harness all the time, and wearing one with a tether attached, but perhaps that's just me... Then, when I get to the mast, I can shorten up the length of the tether to suit by the use of a sliding cleat on the pole track - placed at chest height and a short tether, makes for a very secure position at the mast, with both hands free...

Another tether or two live in the cockpit, of course... Perhaps one of the riskiest maneuvers I routinely perform underway is going back to the stern rail to adjust the windvane. Again, perhaps it's just me, but with a series of fixed tethers strategically placed around the boat, I find myself now clipping on in situations where in the past I may not have bothered, it just seems so much easier now to do so...

There have been scores of articles in the sailing rags, of course, about jacklines, harnesses and every MOB known to man... However, I'm still waiting for the most important one - namely, the physical and mental aspects of moving about your boat safely... Amazing how klutzy some kroozers can be moving around their boats, it's a wonder some of them manage to stay aboard even at anchor, or at the dock... (grin)

best regards,

Jon