Removing Stanchions and Guardwires.

[Wing Mark]

...but how many times have you been saved from going over the side by guard wire?

.....

I cannot quote any particular event, where I've been 'saved' by a guardwire, but I can recall many times when I have used one as part of my careful and safe movement around many boats.

Falling and expecting to be 'saved' is not IMHO a valid plan

Stanchions and guard wires are not the only answers, for instance things like pilot boats tend to have serious hand rails inside the walkway (for want of a better term).
I've been out in rough water on RIBs which don't have guard rails, they have other features.
Good hand and toe-holds are also important.

There are not many yachts I'd want to be out of sight of land on, at night, without guard rails.
Maybe it would be OK on something where there was a really deep secure cockpit you didn't ever need to leave?

 

[capnsensible]

When you consider that nearly every yacht in nearly every marina has guard wires and that they are mandated on commercial yachts, doesn't it make you wonder what yacht designers, manufacturers and regulators are doing wrong? ??

 

[Concerto]

Your guard wires sound impressive. Not sure how typical they are!

On my Fulmar I changed my stanchions and bases as some base were cracked. Besides fitting side gates, I also raised them from 24" to 27", but left the pulpit and pushpit at 24". This has made a big difference and I now find a boat with 24" lifelines to be too low. The only down side is people like me with shorter legs do find it more difficult to step over, but with side gates who cares as they should be using them.

 

[Daydream believer]

It is not just down to a case of stopping one falling in. I go forward to collect & secure my mooring lines from the anchor locker where they are stowed & I also go just in front of mast to secure the foremost of 3 fenders each side. Finally I go to the mast to tuck the last bit of the sail into the lazy bag. Obviously the reverse when departing port.
For all those manouvers I like the security of running my hand along the top wire to assist balance. If a wave catches me unawares, I may pull heavily on the top wire to windward. When right forward the security offered by the guardrail each side as the bow dips & my knees come off the deck as I go airborne for a second, is something I would miss without the rail. If I did have to lower my sail I would almost certainly rely on kneeling on it to stop it going overboard. However, as we all know, that is like standing on a skating rink. So until the sail is secured I may be sitting/kneeling with my back against the rail trying to restrain some flailing rag. None of this is possible without the rail.
Does it always stop one going overboard- No- I slid off a hanked sail & went under the bottom wire. I was saved by the top of my boot snagging the horn of a cleat. The LJ inflated as I inverted & hit the water. I had a hell of a job getting back on board aft of the next stanchion & under the rail wearing an inflated LJ as there was not enough room. So one might say the rail caused an issue. But I would still want it

 

[geem]

It is not just down to a case of stopping one falling in. I go forward to collect & secure my mooring lines from the anchor locker where they are stowed & I also go just in front of mast to secure the foremost of 3 fenders each side. Finally I go to the mast to tuck the last bit of the sail into the lazy bag. Obviously the reverse when departing port.
For all those manouvers I like the security of running my hand along the top wire to assist balance. If a wave catches me unawares, I may pull heavily on the top wire to windward. When right forward the security offered by the guardrail each side as the bow dips & my knees come off the deck as I go airborne for a second, is something I would miss without the rail. If I did have to lower my sail I would almost certainly rely on kneeling on it to stop it going overboard. However, as we all know, that is like standing on a skating rink. So until the sail is secured I may be sitting/kneeling with my back against the rail trying to restrain some flailing rag. None of this is possible without the rail.
Does it always stop one going overboard- No- I slid off a hanked sail & went under the bottom wire. I was saved by the top of my boot snagging the horn of a cleat. The LJ inflated as I inverted & hit the water. I had a hell of a job getting back on board aft of the next stanchion & under the rail wearing an inflated LJ as there was not enough room. So one might say the rail caused an issue. But I would still want it

We are heading off for a long passage soon. We have a small dog. We lace a string from the toerail holes to the bottom guardwire along both sides of the boat. It keeps her onboard should she venture forward for the loo. Funnily enough she won't go on deck without them. Obviously makes her feel secure. Although I dislike the look of them, it surprising the number of times it's stopped us losing stuff over the side. It would stop a person falling under the bottom guardwire so maybe not a bad additional safety feature. It certainly helps if you need to remove a foresail

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

Many many moons ago I kept a Folkboat at Mylor. Mate and self both got launched on the same day in the Spring and had a little party with the boats either side of the only pontoon they had in those days. After plenty of beer on my mate's boat one of the gang, half sozzled, decided to go off for a pee from the foredeck - after a couple of minutes we heard a shout and a splash. He had tried to lean against the lifelines for his pee but alas the stanchions were fitted but not the lifelines ... over he went, dick in his hand. We managed to fish him out onto the pontoon and you've never seen someone sober up that quickly. I'm sure there's a moral to this story and there'll be a keyboard warrior along in a minute with sage advice !! ..... ?

 

[DownWest]

Well, the USCG do say that half (or more) of the guys they fish out after falling off boats have their flys undone.

 

[Kukri]

Apart for hanging fenders I've always thought stanchions and guardwires were a bit pointless and perhaps even counter productive.

Anyone removed them and missed them, or not missed them?

Yes. I have.

This boat was built in 1937 with, rather ahead of her time, stanchions and guard wires; after a few years I took them off, in favour of a rule that you always clipped on. Didn’t miss them.

She has six inch high bulwarks.

My elder son fell overboard annually for several years, but was always fished out.

The present boat has six inch high bulwarks and RORC regulation stanchions and wires, and they are staying on, because it’s a fifteen foot drop from the deck when she is laid up…

 

[DownWest]

You don't miss many opportunities to link pix of your elegant 'ex-boat' ..and I am very grateful that you do. Gives a nice feeling to see her..

 

[Mark-1]

Yes. I have.

This boat was built in 1937 with, rather ahead of her time, stanchions and guard wires; after a few years I took them off, in favour of a rule that you always clipped on. Didn’t miss them.

Thanks, a specific answer to the actual question and some beautiful photos.

My elder son fell overboard annually for several years, but was always fished out.

Mine too. 6 times so far, one for each year of his life and a spare. And that's not counting the deliberate ones. ? The girl, never. (Never by accident, anyway.)

The present boat has six inch high bulwarks and RORC regulation stanchions and wires, and they are staying on, because it’s a fifteen foot drop from the deck when she is laid up…

Mine (knee height) have come off while I'm on the hard. Head first into water I can tolerate, but on tarmac I prefer feet first.