Tether lines from Dyneema/other such fibres - DIY

[wklein]

If you thread shock cord into the dyneema then I can't see it being a problem. The load on the tether is likely to be a tenth of the jackStay and with shock cord it will stretch first then compress under load. It's the snap shackles I would be wary of. Anyway its the load of being dragged along by the water rather than the shock loadings of the fall that cause most injury.

 

[pandos]

http://www.yachting.org.au/sport-services/safety/major-incident-reports/1979-fastnet/

Turn to page 27 onwards, for some interesting reading, it was an extreme event but worth a read....

3.58 The importance of harnesses and harness attachment
points are stressed in Special Regulation 11.3 and the
Memorandum on Safety. However six lives were lost as
the result of the failures of harnesses or harness
attachment points. The regulations appear to be
adequate but they were not fully observed by all owners
and crews.





Tony.

 

[bbg]

There's loads of stretch in a jack stay already, whatever your lanyard is made of will have little difference on the loads.

I would say that at least 90% of the time that I am clipped on, it is not to the jackstay but to a hard point on the centreline of the boat. Typically on the cockpit floor and occasionally a loop around the mast, when working at the mast for any length of time. So no give in the attachment point.

 

[lw395]

The old advice used to be to splice your own, personal line from three-strand.
I might do that for myself, but for other people it's potentially less grief to buy readymade.

 

[KellysEye]

>If you thread shock cord into the dyneema then I can't see it being a problem.

Dynema should not be used and adding shock cord is asking for serious trouble. Given that lives are at stake a proper harness, one long and short tether, jackstays and a U bolt in the cockpit are the way to go. Not the bodge jobs being recommended.