trapeeze advice

Hey everyone,
I've been sailing my 16 for a few years now and have just started trapping out. Lame, I know. I was out yesterday on the lake and finally got aquainted with sailing on the wire, not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. In many ways I actually found it to be much more comfortable as my big a$$ is kind of a tight fit on the tramp. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice as to how you trap out. Such as: What are the steps you take to trap out single handed? I found it easiest to cleat the main, point higher into the wind to slack the heel, hook up, fall off ( to the wind that is), get out, and then adjust the main. Does this sound about right? The other main question is, do you guys stradle the bungee or allow it to run beside your leg. I found that when I stradled it, I'd get a little hung up when I came in. On the lake the winds are shifty, and in the lulls it felt as if I was almost pulling the boat over the top of me. I got hung up a few times while I was straddling the bungee coming in in a hurry. I also felt that the trap handle was a little low to give me any real leverage to get out. How do you adjust the trap handle? (I have the adjustable trapeeze if that helps any)

Now I'm just jonsing to get back on the wire. I thought I'd gone fast before but man what a difference that weight adjustment makes. Not to mention all the oohs and ahhs I got while hauling butt by the motor boats. Thanks in advance.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Hey James,

It's pretty much whatever works for you, although I do pretty much what you do. Cleat the main with the sheet not quite as tight as sailing tension so the boat doesn't heel, sit down in the harness, push off with my forward leg and then sheet in to insure that I don't tea bag. :^ ) You're right . . . . it's much more comfortable than sitting on the tramp (I know because I have a sciatic condition), the boat's faster and you can navigate better.

I usually go out and come in aft my bungee and I encourage my crew (when I have one) to do the same. When I'm on the wire, I position myself wherever my weight gives the best boat trim.

The bungee on my boat is anchored to the hull about a foot and a half aft the shroud so when I move, it doesn't.





Also, because I found it difficult to acquire leverage from the standard trap wire length, I had it shortened 5 inches and now I get great leverage. I don't think an adjustable trapeze will help your handle height.



Hope this helps.

_________________

Happy Sailing,

David

I had written an FAQ on trapeze use you can find here:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1145

BTW, nice setup for the trap wires. 2008 model Hobie 16s (and new tramps) will be coming with two sets of grommets near the shroud to help keep the wires located.

Trap handle height should be about 32" off the rail. That is our standard dimension.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks David and Matt,
Both of your explanations were very helpful. As always, thanks for your pics David. I'm glad to see that I was more or less doing it correctly. The faq was very helpful Matt, thank you. I should have looked for it but thank you for taking the time to re-post. The only thing I did differently was cleating the main and holding the main sheet in the same hand (foward) as I grabed the trap handle. I let the sheet slip through my hand as I extended out and it seemed to help me. I felt as though I could uncleat quickly if necessary. It seems like there is a lot to hold on to when trapping out single handed. I should be going back out Sunday and I'll see if I can't get the technique down pat a bit more.

One more question, do you guys carry the jib sheet out with you at all? Or is it more or less a "set it and forget it" kind of thing? Thanks again ya'll.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

I want to thank you too Matt. Your post and replys have always been a great help to me.

James, No need to try to pattern your sailing habits after someone elses. Time on the water is your best teacher. A lot of my sailing techniques I discovered by accident. As long as it works for you.

As for the jib sheet, most of the time, when solo, I loop it around the crews trap handle unless I know that I'm only going to do a series of tacks, close hauled. Then it's, as you say, "set it and forget it." When trapped out, I only have two things in hand . . . . tiller extension and main sheet. Any more than that right now and my brain might short-circuit.

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Happy Sailing,

David