J/70 Owner Guide
Page
© Copyright 2013, J Boats, Inc. All Rights Reserved
14
Cockpit Safety Lines
The safety lines surrounding the J/70 cockpit (for early US built J/70s through Hull #180) are built by
Marlow Ropes and made from 5mm Dyneema or otherwise known as UHMwPE. These “soft lifelines” are
attached by luggage tagging the forward end to the foredeck mounted padeyes and running through the
stanchions aft where the Hi-‐load thimble is slipped into the end splice and lashed to the stern rail. The
average breaking strength of D-‐12 SK78 used by Marlow for these safety lines is 2400 kg (5,290 lbs). A
stern cockpit safety line is also provided with a small SS pelican hook for easy removal.
New model J70s beginning with Hull #181 are equipped with Hall Rigging provided 5/32” 1 x 19 SS wire
cockpit safety lines. In addition the standard safety line comfort pads are extended an additional 3’ aft of
the aft stanchion to provide for driver comfort. This change was initiated to minimize long term owner
replacement expense. The original “soft” lifelines can be more susceptible to wear and tear than wire and
in more need of constant adjusting to keep them tensioned at prescribed class spec. The new wire safety
lines will have a significant longer working life. The addition of extended comfort pads ensures the
driver’s comfort without having to add additional pads. As both wire and Dyneema have been provided
as standard equipment, either will continue to be permitted for class use.
Cockpit Safety Line Installation
Soft Style
•
Remove the thimble from the eye splice on the long section. This is the aft end of the safety line.
•
Thread the forward end eye splice through the padeye on the foredeck, and then thread the aft
end eye splice through the forward one. Pull tight to “luggage tag” the safety line to the padeye.
•
Thread the aft end eye splice through both stanchions and the lifeline pad(s) and reinsert the
thimble – it will be somewhat loose.
•
Take the lashing (the shorter, thinner piece with the eye splice in one end) and “luggage tag” it
through the bale on the stern pushpit.
•
Pass the lashing through the thimble in the aft end of the safety line and then back through the
bale on the pushpit, pulling aft on the safety line to maintain tension.
•
Make 3 or 4 passes, keeping the direction constant and maintaining tension.
•
After exiting the pushpit bale on the last pass, make several half-‐hitches onto the bundle of
lashing passes between the pushpit and the thimble.
•
Tape the last couple of inches of tail to the bundle for a finished appearance (black electrical tape
works very well).
Wire Style
•
Attached jaw to forward pad eyes port and starboard.
•
Remove threaded eye from swage fitting and thread through stanchion then through lifeline pad.
•
Thread through aft stanchion and through aft portion of lifeline pad.
•
Secure threaded eyes to lifelines.
•
Lash to stern rail as described above for soft style.
•
Attach and lash ends of stern gate between stern rails.
Your safety lines and lashings should be checked for wear as part of a regular boat maintenance program.
Potential chafe areas are stanchion pass-‐throughs and the aft section where the spinnaker sheet
transitions from “inside” to “outside”. Also remember to rinse the safety lines whenever you rinse your
boat and deck hardware, as sharp salt crystals deposited when sea water dries can be a source of chafe.
According to Marlow Ropes, properly installed and cared for J/70 safety lines should easily offer 5 or
more seasons of service. In any case, inspection and precaution should dictate replacement schedule.
Any sign of wear, both for Dyneema or wire should be addressed immediately by replacing suspect lines.
