Quote:
Originally Posted by JSL3
But I could also die stepping off a curb into traffic. At some point (i.e. 8 knots of wind, very little boat traffic, clear weather and a competent skipper on a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay) would going un-tethered be OK? To put it another way, can you ever go un-tethered?
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We have had this discussion, and there are two camps. One feels you need to 'clip in' every time, the other does not. There is no right or wrong answer, it's up to you. If you are aware of the risks you can make an informed decision.
My sailing waters (Long Island Sound) seem similar to yours. I sail singlehanded often (about once a week during the summer) and I don't have a harness or jacklines. I rationalize that by wearing (not just having, but wearing) a PFD and by carrying a waterprood VHF. When I singlehand I am never more than 2-3 nm from land. If I do fall overboard and can't get back aboard, I can either swim / float to land, and / or call for help on the radio. FYI, my boat has a swim platform and I have the boarding ladder rigged so I can deploy it from the water. I have tried to get to get from the water into the boat and I am able to. Of course, if the boat is moving faster than a knot or two I won't be able to catch it.
If I were to head further from land, or otherwise be less likely to receive assistance, I would get a harness.
Again, since we're adults, we can decide how much risk we are willing to tolerate.
Barry