There was a guy who responded on Fight Club who went overboard on his boat while single handing off New England.
I single handed my boat across the Atantic and from Annapolis to Bermuda and back. When I am in open water I use a typical jackline set-up. I prefer a
harness tethered to the jackline rather than a PDF. I never towed
lines behind the boat. But I can appreciate the logic behind that concept. If you go over board the chances of you catching that
line are just too slim to give up the speed or risk snagging something. I remained clipped in the entire time I am out of the cabin without exception. There are just too many things that can happen when you are alone at sea to risk taking it off.
Now for sailing in the Chesapeake I am a bit more relaxed when single handing. If there is a good blow 20 plus I will use my
harness and clip in when I go forward. However, if I am alone in the spring or fall when the water temperature is below 65 I wil use the
harness when I go forward in all conditions.