[Rhodes22-list] Rhodes 22 Safety Tether System & Winter Projects

Wed Nov 25 14:27:20 EST 2020

Hi Reuben,

I hook the jackline to the traveller bar, take it once around the mast and
tie it to the bow cleat.  With a double 3', 6' tether, I have all the
freedom of movement I need.

Regards,

Rick Lange

On Wed, Nov 25, 2020 at 1:59 PM Reuben Mezrich <reuben.mezrich at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Over the past few years the couple who write a newsletter "Affordable
> Adventures" discussed ways to run a Jackline down the center of a boat.
> Basically they run two shorter jacklines from the cockpit to the mast and
> then one from the mast to the bow. You hook on in the cockpit, go forward
> till you have to change lines when you get as far as the mast.
> Good discussion
>
> https://www.morganscloud.com/2015/12/05/person-overboard-better-jackline-systems/
>
> --Reuben
> Reuben Mezrich
> Pelican Cove in Sarasota and Inner Harbor in Baltimore
> Cell: 410-499-8922
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 25, 2020 at 7:17 AM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I thought about a safety tether system using a jack line on the
> centerline
> > of the boat.  But, on the bow, you have the issue of how to anchor the
> end
> > so it doesn’t interfere with roller furler.  In my case, I suppose I
> could
> > have anchored the bow end of the jack line to a thru-bolted padeye I
> > installed for the tack on my cruising spinnaker.  It’s far enough aft of
> > the bow to not interfere with the roller furler and it’s control line.
> > Going aft, you  could anchor the jack line to the halyard organizer at
> the
> > mast step.  But, I want to be able to clip onto the jack line before I
> > leave the cockpit and having the jack line end at the mast step leaves
> > several hazardous steps with no connected safety harness.  Aft of the
> mast
> > step, you are kind of out of good options.  You can’t anchor the jack
> line
> > to anything on the pop top because it’s not fastened down and not HD
> enough
> > anyway.  If you go all the way aft to the stern pulpit, then the jack
> line
> > runs down the length of the cockpit right at chest level, plus it
> > interferes with the boom vang, the tiller, the mainsheet traveler, and
> > mainsheets to say nothing of the crew.
> >
> > By running my jack lines up the port and starboard side decks from the
> > cockpit to the base of the bow pulpit, I avoid all these issues.  The
> only
> > disadvantage to my system is that if you go over on the side you are
> > clipped into, the tether has quite a bit of slack and can leave you
> > hanging.  But my railings are 30” high and I go forward in a crouch so I
> > stay low.  Of course, you normally go forward on the windward side of the
> > boat.  So, as long as the boat doesn’t broach, you are likely to be OK.
> >
> > A jack line running up the centerline would be ideal.  So, inquiring
> minds
> > want to know, how did you rig a jack line on the centerline of your
> Rhodes
> > 22?
> >
> > Roger Pihlaja
> > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> >
> > Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> > Windows 10
> >
> > From: ROGER PIHLAJA<mailto:roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 5:34 PM
> > To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Subject: Rhodes 22 Safety Tether System & Winter Projects
> >
> > Tom,
> >
> > Unfortunately, S/V Dynamic Equilibrium is in winter storage.  I don’t
> > think I have any photos of the safety tether system.  It’s a pretty
> > standard arrangement for offshore monohull sailboats and I never thought
> to
> > take a picture of it.  I store the boat at the Midland Co. Fairgrounds in
> > the unused animal barns and vender buildings.  For Midland Co. residents,
> > the price is right, especially considering it’s secure indoor storage.
> > But, I don’t have access to the boat until next spring.
> >
> > This winter’s projects will be to fabricate a new galley table and under
> > cabinet sliding doors.  Both of these components are original (1976) and
> > delaminating on my boat.  I’ve asked Stan about purchasing a new table
> and
> > doors several times.  But, so far, he hasn’t responded to my queries.
> I’d
> > like to support his replacement parts business. But, when he doesn’t
> > respond, what can you do?
> >
> > Roger Pihlaja
> > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > > On Nov 24, 2020, at 5:10 PM, Tom Van Heule <
> > tom.vanheule at intrinsicprograms.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Pics Roger? Sounds good.
> > >
> > > We gotta have a lake michigan r22 summit.
> > > There are a few of us that are pretty active.  And I know the least!
> > >
> > >> On Tue, Nov 24, 2020, 4:04 PM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
> > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Jesse,
> > >>
> > >> We have a 1” wide nylon strap running up the center of the cockpit
> > floor.
> > >> It’s attached to thru bolted padeyes with big backing plates on the
> > cabin
> > >> and lazarette compartment bulkheads.
> > >> Then, we have 1/2” double braided nylon rope running down the deck
> port
> > >> and starboard from the cockpit to the bow pulpit.  It’s anchored to
> the
> > >> base of the lifeline stanchions on each end.  The safety harness
> tether
> > has
> > >> a carabiner on the end of a 6’ nylon strap.  In the cockpit, you clip
> > the
> > >> carabiner onto the nylon strap on the floor as you come aboard or
> leave
> > the
> > >> cabin.  The carabiner will slide along the strap and let you get
> > anywhere
> > >> in the cockpit, even hike out on the gunnels.  To go forward, you
> unclip
> > >> from the cockpit and clip onto the 1/2” nylon rope on the side deck
> you
> > are
> > >> going to use.  The carabiner will slide along the rope and the harness
> > >> tether is long enough to enable you to do almost any task at the mast
> > or on
> > >> the foredeck.  I have good 30” high rails and stout handholds to hang
> > onto.
> > >>
> > >> We have a firm rule that everyone wears a PFD whenever they are on
> deck
> > >> and the boat is not at anchor or at a dock.  Growing up, since
> everyone
> > >> wore their PFD’s, the boys never had an issue with wearing theirs.
> > >>
> > >> 22 ft LOA is a pretty small boat for the Great Lakes.  You can’t
> always
> > >> count on fair winds!
> > >>
> > >> Roger Pihlaja
> > >> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> > >>
> > >> Sent from my iPhones
> > >>> On Nov 24, 2020, at 4:10 PM, Jesse Shumaker <
> > >> jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>> While I'm used to wearing a PFD, that's the first I've heard of
> > wearing
> > >>> safety harnesses on a Rhodes 22.  Then again, I've yet to take Zephyr
> > to
> > >> a
> > >>> very large body of water.  Hopefully there are some bigger adventures
> > for
> > >>> Zephyr in my future!
> > >>>
> > >>> Jesse Shumaker
> > >>> S/V Zephyr
> > >>>
> > >>>> On Tue, Nov 24, 2020 at 11:02 AM ROGER PIHLAJA <
> roger_pihlaja at msn.com
> > >
> > >>>> wrote:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Jesse,
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Yes, we’ve had a few “HOLY SHIT!” moments, primarily when my sons
> were
> > >>>> learning to helm and trim.  By the time they were teenagers, they
> both
> > >>>> regarded S/V Dynamic Equilibrium as their own personal amusement
> park
> > >>>> ride.  But, only when their mother wasn’t on board!  I always told
> > them
> > >> it
> > >>>> only gets really interesting when the small craft warnings are
> posted!
> > >>>> When dad put his safety harness on, their eyes would open wide and
> > >> they’d
> > >>>> scramble below to find their harnesses. They both knew firsthand
> that
> > >> dad
> > >>>> was nuts and there was some fun in store.  I like to wear my harness
> > >> over
> > >>>> my PFD.  When you’re sailing this aggressively, you frequently get
> > >> tossed
> > >>>> into hard “stuff”.  The PFD provides some cushioning.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Roger Pihlaja
> > >>>> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Sent from my iPhone
> > >>>>> On Nov 24, 2020, at 10:19 AM, Jesse Shumaker <
> > >>>> jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Roger, thanks for the details on the sail trim.  You had mentioned
> > >> some
> > >>>>> configurations where the boat would tend to heel further rather
> than
> > >>>> round
> > >>>>> up if conditions strengthen.  I'm curious, have you had any
> > knockdowns
> > >> in
> > >>>>> cases where the helmsman didn't ease the mainsheet in time or
> feather
> > >> up
> > >>>>> into the wind when there's a sudden gust?  I'm always trying to
> read
> > >> the
> > >>>>> water for wind, but there are cases when things get busy and I have
> > >> been
> > >>>>> occasionally surprised by a gust when I was distracted.  I wasn't
> > sure
> > >> if
> > >>>>> you had any memorable HOLY SHIT moments as you alluded to in your
> > note.
> > >>>> We
> > >>>>> always enjoy your advice and tales of adventure!
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Jesse Shumaker
> > >>>>> S/V Zephyr
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>> On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 5:39 PM ROGER PIHLAJA <
> > Roger_Pihlaja at msn.com>
> > >>>> wrote:
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Hi All,
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Let me state up front that S/V Dynamic Equilibrium’s sail are not
> > OEM
> > >>>>>> stock and neither is the roller furler.  I have owned the boat
> since
> > >>>> 1987
> > >>>>>> and will tell you what I’ve ended up with after a lot of
> > >>>> experimentation.
> > >>>>>> The main sail is a very roachy, fully battened, club racing HD
> > dacron
> > >>>>>> sail.  It has 3 rows of jiffy reef points.  The headsail is a 150%
> > >> genoa
> > >>>>>> made of Bainbridge’s Cruise-Lam sailcloth in a Bi-Radial
> > construction.
> > >>>>>> Cruise-Lam is composite sailcloth with dacron outer layers, a
> Kevlar
> > >>>> scrim,
> > >>>>>> and a core of mylar.  The sail has a foam luff pad to enable it to
> > >> take
> > >>>>>> full advantage of the upper and lower swivels on the Harken Unit 0
> > >>>> roller
> > >>>>>> furler it’s flown on.  As the winds build, my 1st move is to lower
> > the
> > >>>>>> mainsail’s gooseneck to the lower position.  The next step is to
> > put a
> > >>>> reef
> > >>>>>> in the mainsail.  This configuration allows the boat to be sailed
> > with
> > >>>> the
> > >>>>>> leeward rub rail in the water and virtually no weather helm.
> > However,
> > >>>> you
> > >>>>>> must keep your hands on the sheets and steer to the waves because
> a
> > >>>> gust or
> > >>>>>> helmsman error will put the leeward cockpit gunnel under water
> > faster
> > >>>> than
> > >>>>>> you can say, “HOLY SHIT!”!  It will NOT round up in this
> > configuration
> > >>>> and
> > >>>>>> the sails will not distort, spill wind, or save you.  Gusts cause
> so
> > >>>> much
> > >>>>>> acceleration that it sets you right down in your seat.  It’s
> really
> > >>>> quite
> > >>>>>> addictive!  Roller reefing the genoa down to ~130% will allow the
> > boat
> > >>>> to
> > >>>>>> sail more up right, not scare my wife, and allow the autopilot to
> > >> drive
> > >>>> the
> > >>>>>> boat.  The next step is to put a second reef in the mainsail.  As
> > the
> > >>>> wind
> > >>>>>> builds, leaving the genoa at 130% with 2 reefs in the mainsail
> will
> > >>>> enable
> > >>>>>> maximum boat speed with minimal weather helm at the expense of
> > >> constant
> > >>>>>> required manual vigilance on the helm and sheets.  Roller reefing
> > the
> > >>>> genoa
> > >>>>>> down to ~110% in these conditions will make the boat docile enough
> > >> that
> > >>>> the
> > >>>>>> autopilot can still control it on any point of sail with the wind
> > >>>> forward
> > >>>>>> of a broad reach.  Roller reefing down to 110% is about as small
> as
> > >> the
> > >>>>>> Harken Unit 0 roller furler can reef the sail while still
> > maintaining
> > >>>>>> reasonable sail shape.  When the genoa is roller reefed down to <
> > >> 110%,
> > >>>> the
> > >>>>>> mainsail needs a 3rd reef in order to balance the helm.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> In summary, reduce mainsail area or lower the center of effort
> > first,
> > >>>>>> either by lowering the boom, or reefing.  As the wind builds, the
> > >>>> strategy
> > >>>>>> of leaving maximum possible sail area forward of the mast will
> > reduce
> > >>>>>> weather helm, maximize boat speed, and pointing ability.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Here on the Great Lakes, there is a lot of light air in the
> summer,
> > >>>>>> punctuated by periods of heavy weather.  I cope by flying cruising
> > and
> > >>>>>> tri-radial spinnakers during the light air.  I found the 175%
> genoa
> > >> was
> > >>>> cut
> > >>>>>> too heavy to fly well in light air and the sail could only be
> reefed
> > >>>> down
> > >>>>>> to ~130% before the shape was hopelessly compromised.  Remember
> this
> > >> was
> > >>>>>> with a Harken Unit 0 roller furler with upper and lower swivels
> and
> > a
> > >>>> foam
> > >>>>>> luff pad.  The OEM roller furler and sails will not be able to do
> as
> > >>>> well.
> > >>>>>> But, my sail shape standards might be higher than yours.  I never
> > >> found
> > >>>> the
> > >>>>>> 175% genoa to be particularly difficult to tack.
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Roger Pihlaja
> > >>>>>> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986>
> for
> > >>>>>> Windows 10
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>
> >
> >
>