How to set up life ring

[JMAC]

I got an old but in good shape life ring at an antique store and we've cleaned it up for use on Ponder, the 23' AR True Rocket centerboard sloop that is the Unity Maine area's community sailboat. I imagine it could sit flat on the boomkin to be accessible yet out of the way. What sort of line if any should it be set up with. I bet 20-25' would be the best toss with it if it was needed. There aren't any life lines, she sails on Unity Pond, even at it's worse, maybe 3' waves. The backstay splits into a y in the last few feet and could possible hang from that.

[Bill Huson]

3/16" or 1/4" yellow poly line is good. It floats. I have 40' on my Type IV toss float, but truthfully the only way I'd run outta line is tossing the light cushion downwind in a 30 knot breeze. Line tangles are a problem. Now I have the line coiled in a figure eight pattern (I know there's a yachty name for that but it slipped my feeble mind) and have a plastic spring clamp holding the package together. Squeeze clamp, frisbee the cushion out, line deploys without a tangle - most of the time :D

[Mad Scientist]

I agree with Bill's comments.
The USCG must have some sort of regulation/recommendation about the length of line - here in Canada we are required to have a 15 metre buoyant line attached to the lifering.

I hate 'polyprop' line, but at least it's good for something.

Tom

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Well, now...

If you have a single lifering, a very good place to carry it is flat on the cabin top, on chocks, just ahead of the hatch. Very traditional, neat, and easy to get at.

If you want to use line with it, it is better by far to attach the line to a danbuoy, not to the boat. Stowing the danbuoy needs a little thought

[Captain Intrepid]

I agree with Bill's comments.
The USCG must have some sort of regulation/recommendation about the length of line - here in Canada we are required to have a 15 metre buoyant line attached to the lifering.

I hate 'polyprop' line, but at least it's good for something.

Tom

For passenger and cargo ships the Transport Canada regs require a bouyant line attached to a life bouy to be twice the stowage height above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, or 30 metres, whichever is greater. Seems like a good length to me, especially if you're moving at all. You might not be able to throw the buoy out 15 metres, but you want to pick up the guy, not take him waterskiing.