Lifeline tension

[Mike Smith]

What is the proper amount of tension for lifelines?

Mike and Jan Smith
S/V Breezer
www.mikejansmith.com

[Stu Jackson]

Mike

Short of twang (!#$%^*&*^$!)

and

Short of droopy.

Stu

[Jim Price]

The life lines should just "be there".  If too tight, then any involuntary leaning or falling against them will put significant stress on the stantions (encouraging leaks and bending).  They should be loose enough to "absorbe" some of the load.  So tight enough is when thay look good on the boat but are not tight or under tension.

[Jkar]

OFFSHORE SPECIAL REGULATIONS
JANUARY 2002 - DECEMBER 2003
v 3.12a
Special Regulations © ORC 2002
US SAILING Prescriptions © United States Sailing Association, Inc. 2003

3.14 Pulpits, stanchions, lifelines - attention is drawn to ISO 15085
3.14.2 Lifelines required in Special Regulations shall be "taut".
a) As a guide, when a deflecting force of 50 N (5.1 kgf, 11.2 lbf) is applied to a lifeline midway between
supports, the lifeline should not deflect more than 50 mm.

Liberally pilfered

[Mike Smith]

OK, OK, OK.  I knew I was asking for it when posted this, and it looks like Ron and Stu rose to the bait!  Seriously, I am writing up a project on lifeline gate installation and I wondered if there was any guidance on lifeline tension as there is for shroud tension.  Thanks Jim for the rationale and Joel for the data.  I forget what 50 N would be, but I assume that 5.1 kgf is 5.1 kg, and 11.5 lbf is 11.5 lbs - right?  50 mm is 5 cm, and with 2.54 cm to the  inch, with about 10 lbs of force, the lifeline should deflect about 2 inches - right?

Mike and Jan Smith
S/V Breezer
www.mikejansmith.com

[Gene Regan]

hi you all'
i use the wet towel method, if you hang a wet towel between the stancions , and is droops more than 3 inchs from the unhung lateral line, you must tighten the life lines accordingly or get a drier towel.
i like this better than the twang method mentioned earlier
good luck
gene regan
713 freedom

gene regan