am considering installing a lifeline and have seen the nice one on Nmbr1GMfan's boat which looks pretty nice but he has the advantage of twin hatches. what do you do if you have a single one right where the line would go ?

I have one if your looking. Came off my Excalibur. The hatch would probably open enough to get some breeze in the cabin, if you want the old school look I understand that, but to be honest the thing was sorta dangerous because when I would stand on the fordeck it was right at shin level perfect for tripping you. I dunno maybe you don't stand on your foredeck, I like to when I throw an anchor in.

the point of them from what I understand was to give something to hang onto if the boat started to sink in a race, because the boats stay afloat bow up because of the airpocket in the cabin

ah thanks thats changed my thinking totally. my issue is i learnt on bigger boats and have only ever driven much bigger with motorised anchors so the whole manual anchor is baffling me at present.
i thought the lifesaver was so that you were safer when throwing the anchor over the front not potentially worse off tripping over it.
i am still trying to work out how if you are on your own how best to deploy the anchor. do you leave the wheel and climb over the screen and go up the front. i am guessing you have no choice.
then how the heck do you get the thing back in without falling over the front with it. do you point her at it and drop her in gear and go up front hauling in as fast as you can. although in theory sounds like it might work but not too clever if you do go in is my thinking and then get sent home in a jar. if they found enough.
as you can tell i am suffering small boat syndrome having been been spoilt with automation in the past so please humour me.
i have googled it to no avail. i am assuming there is a simple method for both actions.

Yup on any boat with a Manuel anchor. Try it by yourself in a strong wind and current with lots of boats around.

i was dreading an answer like that....
i made the mistake of thinking "smaller boat must be easy".
no electric motor for the anchor, single leg, no bow thruster. oh the joys of small boats.

anyone got any tips even in normal conditions as to what the hell you do when on your own. i have started working out in readiness

i throw mine over the side - get it to catch - then walk the line to the bow.

i had that in mind to tie it off on the mid cleat before and then do what you say then walk it up to the fore cleat and tie if off. then the reverse.
i cant think of any better idea and it might stop me dropping the end in by mistake
thanks

if it is not rough water - a lot of times i'll just leave it on the side cleat.

interesting as i though that would have you spinning about all over the place and any wake coming inshore might hit you, with you sideways.
i will be parked up in small busy bays mainly.