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Coming on and off the wire while single handed
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Author:  localizer [ Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Coming on and off the wire while single handed
I have been sailing my H16 for a little over a year now. So I still have long ways to improve my skills with the boat. One of them is getting on and off the wire.
The dogbones hang so that when I'm hooked, but still sitting on the tramp, my behind will be slightly below the rail. So what I do is the following:

1. I hook up, I hold tiller in the aft hand and main sheet is in the forward hand. I cleat the main sheet.
2. I then push myself out a bit so that my behind goes over and slightly below the rail, but I'm still in contact with it. At this point I take a few seconds to stabilize the boat and myself.
3. I then start pushing myself out with my heels against the tramp and then I'm out.
The problem here is that very often I need to or I want to grab on the trap wire handle with my forward hand to help myself. BUT this is where I hold my main sheet! Once I put the hand on the handle, there is a lot of slack between me and the block, so that if a gust hits, I will first need to take the slack off and only then be able to react on the gust. Plus mainsheet likes to get entangled in the handle.
I also tried to hold tiller and mainsheet in the aft hand, while using forward hand to hold to the handle and push myself out. In this case I don't have any control over the mainsheet at all! So I did not like that either.
When I come back from the wire this whole commotion is getting reversed, but now I must grab the trap wire handle to pull myself on the tramp.
The bottom line is that I'm very unstable while getting out or in. I'm most unstable at the end of step 2 and beginning of step 3 - I'm not out yet, and I'm not in. :?

I would like hear how you guys do this and please comment on my method.
Author:  Karl Brogger [ Sun Nov 09, 2008 1:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Raise the handle a bit. I set mine so my butt is dangling a bit when I drop off the edge. (Not a great plan with the wings btw, I tumbled over backwards a couple of times) With the handle up its easier to get in and out, but with the handle lower

-Keep your legs apart a bit for stability. I front leg rigid a bit, and back leg to soak up the "bumps".
-Its tough but you gotta get used to getting in and out pretty much just using your legs. Its faster and the less time you spend in transition the less time things have to go wrong.
-I try to sheet in as I'm getting out too. That way you power up and won't automatically t-bag yourself.

I don't always adhere to this either, you have to improvise for conditions.
Author:  richandpat [ Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
In addition to what Karl recommended, you can also use your aft hand. You don't need to hold the tiller going out or coming back in. Lay the tiller on the rail. You can use that hand to help you get out while your forward hand can help you push off the rail while still holding on to the main sheet. I never let go of the main, but always let go of the tiller once I'm clear of other boats. Your boat will slowly go to weather, but you should have ample time to get out & back in. While sailing, drop the tiller on the rail and see how your boat reacts and how much time you have before you need to grab your tiller again. You just need a few seconds. Once you're out, just bend your knees and pick up the tiller.
Author:  sunvista [ Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:11 am ]
Post subject: 
Karl Brogger wrote:
-Its tough but you gotta get used to getting in and out pretty much just using your legs.
I agree. The trap handle is mostly a security blanket and often becomes a hindrance. My crew(s) want to use the handles to try and stand up before hiking out which is really stupid. Once you hook up and your weight is on the wire that handle is not doing much for you. You are better off just getting used to kicking out (and back in) using only your legs.
Author:  hrtsailor [ Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:48 am ]
Post subject:  Getting out on the wire
I use a different method for handling the main sheet. First I never let go of the tiller. I arrange the main sheet across my leg so that as I go out on the wire, the sheet is immediately within my reach. I keep my knee up so that it doesn't slip off. As soon as I am out, I pick it up. There never seems to be much slack in the line if I have to react quickly. To come back in, I first slack off a foot of main sheet and recleat. Then I throw the sheet onto the tramp and immediately start my turn into the wind. I make it a rule that once the sheet leaves my hand, I start the turn. I then slide in and get unhooked.
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