Next year I was hoping to come up with some kind of tether system that would allow me to solo the cat if no one was around. Maybe a long line in a bag right to the center of the tramp that is connected to my harness with a shackle like
http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d6000/e4621.aspWe use them on our 40’ racing mono and they are easy to release under load
Those are not the kind of shackle that releases under load. Here is the type you need.
http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d6000/e4603.aspI'm not sure about these but they look like they would work also.
http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d6000/e4603.aspEither one could be really hard to release in a life threatening situation.
Personally I used my chicken line as my safety line. We always hooked in after every tack or jibe. You are unhooked on each tack and jibe which is somewhat dangerous in an ocean race.
Ask Mike Beurlien about the time he had to swim a couple miles to shore during the W1000. That had to be fun. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com
