Sail numbers

Back again to the PCER's - this time 8.5: "A boat shall have the ability to display sail numbers and letters of the size carried on the mainsail by an alternative means when none of the numbered sails is set."  This again, is one of those things you hope to never have to use, but can come in handy in a rescue situation in aiding others to identify your vessel.  A common way to do this is to put the numbers on the lee cloths and lash them to the lifelines if needed.  Of course, this approach leaves you without lee cloths.  Others have canvas fabricated to attach to the lifelines, generally near the cockpit that also doubles at lifeline netting.  Others apply the numbers to the hull up near the bow.  We had an old, UV damaged jib from our previous boat that we cut to size, hemmed the edges, and put grommets in the corners.  We then ordered some stick on numbers from Sail Rite, and presto, an "alternate means to display sail numbers".

With a piece of line attached to each corner, they are easily attached on the forward corners to the stanchion and on the aft corners to the lifeline and toe rail.  Pretty slick and a good way to recycle old sails...