Andrew_Fanner
New member
Should they be tight, floppy, no tighter than an alternator belt? Does it even matter very much?
Guard rail tension
- Thread starter Andrew_Fanner
- Start date
jerryat
Active member
I don't tighten ours much at all. In fact, the s/s wire drops slightly between stanchions and can be moved easily. I've seen many a stanchion that has been bent inwards by the wires being tensioned too highly, followed by an apparently minor additional stress (huge leverage when you think about it) placed upon it e.g. something as simple as someone leaning back on them.
I 'warn' my crew that the things are NOT back supports OR guardrails but merely a warning wire!!
I 'warn' my crew that the things are NOT back supports OR guardrails but merely a warning wire!!
michael_w
Well-known member
I have them tight. This is what the ISAF Special Regulations say
3.14.2 Lifelines required in Special Regulations shall be "taut".
a) As a guide, when a deflecting force of 50 N (5.1 kgf, 11.2 lbf) is applied to a lifeline midway between supports, the lifeline should not deflect more than 50 mm.
3.14.2 Lifelines required in Special Regulations shall be "taut".
a) As a guide, when a deflecting force of 50 N (5.1 kgf, 11.2 lbf) is applied to a lifeline midway between supports, the lifeline should not deflect more than 50 mm.
roly_voya
New member
Not sure it matters to much as the stations brack off if anyone falls against them and you would be (possibly) held by the wire supported on the pulpit and pushpit. Normal failure seems to be either fitting pulled out of deck or failure of the weld holding the bolts depending on type of mounting.
Out of interest has anyone an experience of gaurd wire actually retainning crew on board in a fall rather than just as a handhold
Out of interest has anyone an experience of gaurd wire actually retainning crew on board in a fall rather than just as a handhold
Tamarisk1
New member
Yep, was saved personally by a lower guardwire the other week. Just tacked and two fat buggers were blocking my way across the coachroof, no hand hold and off I go down to leeward side. Only thing that stopped me was the cheesewire - not one of my finer moments!
G
Guest
Guest
Just a little more than hand-pull tight ... I use lanyards to secure mine and they are wrapped a number of turns through and pulled up tightish. It allows me to cut with a sharp knife if MOB needs to be brought back on ... etc.
Leaving slack will add impact shock to the wire and can increase possibility it breaks ... too tight will already have the wire stressed .... compromise is my opinion.
I do not trust them to provide full safety against falling overboard - in fact the height of the average is enough to "trip" you knee height over !
Most often used function for me ? Bend zee kneez a touch ... one hand on one stay ... other hand on ***** the wire provides a steadying moment while having a p**s !!
Leaving slack will add impact shock to the wire and can increase possibility it breaks ... too tight will already have the wire stressed .... compromise is my opinion.
I do not trust them to provide full safety against falling overboard - in fact the height of the average is enough to "trip" you knee height over !
Most often used function for me ? Bend zee kneez a touch ... one hand on one stay ... other hand on ***** the wire provides a steadying moment while having a p**s !!