I`ve read several times about sailors using their Hawaiian righting lines as a "preventer line" while trapping out.
My questions are; is this an effective practice? How is it best done? (ie) Do you somehow "clip-in" to the line, or just grab it as you`re speeding by on your trip round-the-forestay?
Dave
It's more of a chicken line. The crew holds both the jib sheet and the righting line to lock themselves into place. Most crews eventually become confortable traping out and quit using the righting line.
Personally, I'd never let anyone clip in or on to anything that they couldn't release quickly.
Dave,
The crew holds the righting line in their back or "aft" hand, as it is solidily attached at the stern of boat. When you suddenly slow down, this will give the crew something to keep them from falling forward. A stiff back leg will keep them from falling backwards during sudden acceleration, a much less common occurance.
My son/crew ended up in front of the crossbar when I stuffed the leeward bow upwind last Saturday 
, he thinks his "cat like" (pun intended) reflexes are quick enough to prevent this and besides "the A-fleet crews don't use it". Your crew definitely wants to keep the righting line in hand, there's no chance of grabbing it on the way.
Thanks guys - good to know ...strictly a "hand-hold" by the sounds of it.
Dave