Attaching Jackstays To Spinnaker Sheet Block U Bolt

[Deleted member 36384]

I might be over analysing this too much. I have convinced myself that it is not a good idea to attach the jackstays to the Spinnaker Sheet Block Eye Bolts on the quarters for fear of being attached if they pulled out.

An alternative place is a stainless, 5 mm circular section bar, bent into a U shape and welded onto the push pit forward stay about an inch off the deck, facing forward; it looks a bit feeble to be honest.

The alternative is to fit a dedicated U bolt on the side deck near the quarter. The headlining is down so now is the time to do it. However, I have enough holes in the deck already with push pits, wind generators stays, blocks etc.

The deck shelf is very thick, around 30 mm, and the U Bolts are 10 mm, the backing plate is being replaced with 10 mm stainless as well.

Is it stupid to attach a life line to a jackstay anchored to the spinnaker sheet block U bolt?

 

[joliette]

I would fit it to a dedicated fastening, fit for purpose.

 

[awol]

I wouldn't worry except the for the possibility of chafe from the blocks on the jackstays. The spinnaker sheet blocks are only loaded on the lee side, assuming you use separate guys, so your opportunities for hanging your body off a fully loaded sheet fixing are limited and even then I would bet on the deck fixing over the webbing, stitching ........... and your crotch. Going overboard with your spinnaker heavily powered up would not be a good idea.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Product Description SKU Code Price
Burke Safety Jackstay 12m 74387N $96.90 View Thumbnail
Wichard Lyf'Safe Jackstay 11m 74392N $143.90 View Thumbnail
Wichard Lyf'Safe Jackstay 8.5m 74390N $127.90

 

[Twister_Ken]

Cant tie off on the aft mooring cleats? What I've always done.

 

[lw395]

5mm bar, welded in 'non factory' conditions would scare me more than an M10 u-bolt shared with the spinnaker guy. How likely is it that these u-bolts will pull out? If you are convinced it's a risk, put in a separate fitting, but be sure it's at least as strong as the tried and tested U-bolts.

 

[Simondjuk]

How often do you fly the kite in clipping on weather and how often do you clip on in kite flying weather?

 

[William_H]

How often do you fly the kite in clipping on weather and how often do you clip on in kite flying weather?

I have had 2 MOBs both while flying (jibing) Kite. (in sheltered waters so no big problem) So I would say a very good time and reason to clip on.
I feel sure that the spin sheet block attachment will be very strong. However I would be looking for attachment near the centre of the boat especially up front. It seems to me especially on a smaller boat that you want jack stays in a position where they can stop you going over the side. That can only mean near the centre line of the boat to my mind.
I would like to say I have given up on MOBing. However last Sunday I managed to fall overboard while still attached to swing mooring. I did manage to hang on and got back on easily via stern ladder. Yes there was a story. We were waiting for last crew to turn up on the beach. I had attached dinghy painter around jib sheet winch and cleat. I happened to look down and found painter slide overboard and into water. I lurched my body down and out and grabbed the painter only to over balance and tumble into the water. At least I saved the dinghy. Anyway weather and water warm and I dried out quickly.
It can happen so easily. olewill still no wiser......

 

[Simondjuk]

As you verify, it's probably one of the more likely times to have a MOB, but in practise you rarely see lifelines and spinnakers in use on the same boat at the same time, hence the serious question.

 

[Sequoiah1]

I might be over analysing this too much. I have convinced myself that it is not a good idea to attach the jackstays to the Spinnaker Sheet Block Eye Bolts on the quarters for fear of being attached if they pulled out.

An alternative place is a stainless, 5 mm circular section bar, bent into a U shape and welded onto the push pit forward stay about an inch off the deck, facing forward; it looks a bit feeble to be honest.

The alternative is to fit a dedicated U bolt on the side deck near the quarter. The headlining is down so now is the time to do it. However, I have enough holes in the deck already with push pits, wind generators stays, blocks etc.

The deck shelf is very thick, around 30 mm, and the U Bolts are 10 mm, the backing plate is being replaced with 10 mm stainless as well.

Is it stupid to attach a life line to a jackstay anchored to the spinnaker sheet block U bolt?

We use the spinnaker block padeyes. As the blocks are held off the deck with bungy to the lower guardrail there are no issues of chaffe to the jackstays. We have sailed with harnesses and the kite up. Much prefer this to a lug on pushpit or stanchion base. I have broken a 5mm lug on a stanchion base before and am only 11 stone.

 

[boaterbaz]

The pushpit will be formed from relatively thin tubing, perhaps 0.5mm. I rather think that would be the weakest point. Go for dedicated pad eye through deck

 

[kds]

One reason for making and fitting a heavy-duty SS arch over the main hatch, aft of the bulkhead, was to secure the ends of the jackstays high up and near the centre of the boat.
It also takes the mainsheets and sprayhood.
Easy to attach to and protects for the full walk forward to bow.
ken

 

[Seajet]

As you're asking, you know it's a bad idea; fit something like Wichard 'U bolts' or the specified harness points ( some fold flat if not in use ), if in doubt try reading 'Heavy Weather Sailing' and 'Left For Dead' !

 

[ocean_groover]

Eye bolts prone to crevice corrosion where it can't be seen. Bad idea.