Jackstay on a wheelhouse motor sailer?

[NUTMEG]

After reading all the recent discussion on LJ vs Not Falling Off, I have been thinking about a central (midship) jackstay to attach a safety tether to when going forward. On the face of it a lumpy motorsailer seems a pretty safe boat, but negotiating the wheelhouse involves a crablike shuffle along the side deck, although there is a grab rail on the top of the wheelhouse this is not easy if carrying something, winch handle or whatever.

Jackstay along the side decks and further forward would not stop you from going over the rail, with a freeboard of 4 or 5 feet or so this is not an option .

So I thought about a jackstay fixed to the mizzen, which sits on the rear of the wheelhouse roof, led along the roof, then down to the base of the mainmast. This would let me use a short tether, maybe three or four feet long and that would let me access the foredeck.

Anyone done this? Any ideas or thoughts most welcome before I get my wallet out

Thanks in advance.

Rhoda Rose is a 28' Colvic Watson ketch

 

[pcatterall]

Similar to what I did on my Atlanta. Worthwhile. I guess the webbing or line will be tight over the front of your wheelhouse though so you would have to drag your clip through the restriction?

 

[LadyInBed]

I would use two V jackstays. One from the forward corner of the wheelhouse, round the mast and back to the other forward corner. The other going aft round the mizzen to the aft corners of the wheelhouse.

 

[Seajet]

Sounds the best option to me; leave harness lines clipped onto the jackstay, and clip yourselves onto them - trying to minimise U/V and weather on the harness line though.

I once had the same problem when asked to skipper a motorsailer across Biscay, the side decks by the wheelhouse were obviously lethal so I proposed fitting tight lines at waist height, from pushpit to stanchions; the reply from the artist owner was " yes but what colour lines ? "...

 

[NUTMEG]

" yes but what colour lines ? "...

I know someone just like that.

 

[pcatterall]

I would use two V jackstays. One from the forward corner of the wheelhouse, round the mast and back to the other forward corner. The other going aft round the mizzen to the aft corners of the wheelhouse.

But the danger area is between those points. I would opt for the first suggestion and accept that I would have to jerk the clip over the tight bit at the front of the wheelhouse. Looks like the stern bits could mainly be reached from a central line but getting right up to the pointed end needs consideration.

 

[LadyInBed]

But the danger area is between those points. I would opt for the first suggestion and accept that I would have to jerk the clip over the tight bit at the front of the wheelhouse.

One way or another the OP has to get out of the wheelhouse door and reach the jackstay to clip on, or leave lines dangling by the doors.

Looks like the stern bits could mainly be reached from a central line but getting right up to the pointed end needs consideration.

A centre line from mast to bow wouldn't be difficult to rig.

 

[NUTMEG]

To fall out of the cockpit, my son suggested, one would need to climb up onto the gunnels, tie a 32lb cannonball to one foot, chuck it overboard and jump at the same time.

It is the wheelhouse side decks that are the issue. Thinking further, considering the responses above, I think a jackstay from mizzen base, across the wheelhouse, down at an angle to the base of the main and back up the other side and back to the mizzen. Two safety tethers attached port and stbd and hanging down into the cockpit either side of the doors. These could be clipped onto the guard wires either side at the working end as a reminder to clip on when leaving the cockpit.

A bit of that self adhesive stainless plate to protect the gel coat on the forward edge of the wheelhouse and bobs your uncle.

Thanks chaps, I have a plan now.

Steve