Isnt that the same philosophy about seat belts.. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I think it is all about options. If it gets howling pretty hard, someone might have wanted to tether themselves in. I talked to Matt Morris in AZ who did the Texas Race. We talked about this same issue. I am kind of going on hearsay say, but he talked about a clip that could be unloaded UNDER pressure. He said it had 2 'wings' on either side you had to squeeze or someting of the sort, but it made him feel like if he had to actually deattach himself from the line, he could do it. Whereas with a carbiner, you would have to relieve the pressure. After seeing that video of a tornado capsize and the crew/skipper hanging from the chicken line, i was always curious how he got down. His feet could not touch the hull underneatth him and it is hard to lift your own weight with one hand AND unclip your carbiner with the other.

I do like Mary's reasoning, but she did not address if you have life insurance and/or DONT want to be married. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Jonathan Grant
boatless
Mesa, AZ