What is this and can I dangle from it?

Sea-Fever

Sea-Fever

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I have four of these around the cockpit. They are made of stainless steel and about 45mm in length. I wonder if they are for lifelines but I'm not convinced they are man enough for the job should I decide to dangle over the side whilst attached to it.

What is your opinion?

thingy.jpg

Thanks
 
The SS would be strong enough if it is bolted through with a strong backing plate. If it is held with self-tappers then it is not secure enough. I doubt they are big enough to get a lifeline hooked in and would need a shackle put on them.
 
I wouldn't consider using those for lifelines.

They might have been put there for that purpose by a previous owner who didn't understand the forces involved, or they might have been for an entirely different purpose. Maybe they were for the guy ropes for his Christmas tree? :) No idea, people add all sorts of odd contraptions to their boats.

Pete
 
The fact you are not convinced is enough not to use them for lifelines. They definitely don't look strong enough. A good jerk and they'd be out.
 
They are sold in our local swindlery as lacing eyes. If properly fastened as Moody Sabre describes, then they would take any normal load, but would be dangerously near their limits if shock loaded by a large man going OB and coming up short at the end of his lifeline. I have some holding the bottom of the spray dodgers in place.
 
MoodySabre said:
The SS would be strong enough if it is bolted through with a strong backing plate. If it is held with self-tappers then it is not secure enough. I doubt they are big enough to get a lifeline hooked in and would need a shackle put on them.
Click to expand...
Would you honestly clip to that with 2 x 6mm Pan hd machine screws holding you
 
prv said:
I wouldn't consider using those for lifelines.

They might have been put there for that purpose by a previous owner who didn't understand the forces involved, or they might have been for an entirely different purpose. Maybe they were for the guy ropes for his Christmas tree? :) No idea, people add all sorts of odd contraptions to their boats.

Pete
Click to expand...

Hmmm Christmas trees were not on my list of possible uses!

They are, in fact, just big enough to get lifelines through...but I suppose having them rattle around would then damage the surrounding GRP.

All four are located in that annoying position just in the middle of your back when you relax with a cup of tea and a paper.

I think I might take them out and replace with something more substantial (in a more acceptable position)
 
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Old Harry said:
Would you honestly clip to that with 2 x 6mm Pan hd machine screws holding you
Click to expand...

^^This. It depends on the backing (they may just be screws without nuts), the fastener, and the strap, but as a first approximation, look at the fastener strength.

Typically for man loads you need 1 x 3/8" or 9mm, or 2 x 5/16" or 8mm. I doubt those are even 6mm, more likely 5mm, which means they are about 4x too weak for the job. More, if the backing is shaky. For holding cushions or sheet bags. Just take them out.

If placing eyes for tethers, make sure they hold the clips you have, recognizing that the clips that meet the newer standards are bigger than the common Spinlock clips. This link has some video you will find scary. https://youtu.be/CbyhyC7ua8g

Also interesting that this was done with not much more than body weight. https://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/Tether-Clip-Update-12345-1.html
 
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Sea-Fever said:
I have four of these around the cockpit. They are made of stainless steel and about 45mm in length. I wonder if they are for lifelines but I'm not convinced they are man enough for the job should I decide to dangle over the side whilst attached to it.

What is your opinion?

Thanks
Click to expand...
They are lacing or tie down eyes. I have a few on my boat. I wouldn't trust them for securing lifelines regardless of the backing pad and fixings used.
 
MoodySabre said:
The SS would be strong enough if it is bolted through with a strong backing plate. If it is held with self-tappers then it is not secure enough. I doubt they are big enough to get a lifeline hooked in and would need a shackle put on them.
Click to expand...

Having seen a quarter inch S/S eyebolt bent, distorted and almost pulled through GRP by jackstay lifelines used in earnest (major knockdown/inversion) I wouldn't use them for anything more than holding a canvas cover on.

Having written that I then realised that I have used similar down below, bolted with good backing washers through thick ply, as neat endpoints for a eyesplice in a polyester 6mm line tying up a (rarely used) sea berth leecloth end. A big difference though between one person with maybe 20-30cm movement within a secure berth and stopping a (or worse more than one) person at the shock-load end-stop after going overboard on a longish tether......
 
jwilson said:
... I then realised that I have used similar down below, bolted with good backing washers through thick ply, as neat endpoints for a eyesplice in a polyester 6mm line tying up a (rarely used) sea berth leecloth end. ......
Click to expand...

Even the eyes to which I clip or fasten the cords of my lee-cloths and the 'safety strap' in the galley are much meatier stainless castings and are bolted with M6 bolts!

_0862-300x300.jpg
 
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