Spectra Trapeze instead of wire?

You know it's a long winter when................you want to change things that aren't broken. Especially when you change them so they kill you.

huh? Why would spectra be less safe than wire?

Karl,

I couldn't help but notice the combination of your 666th post and the word "kill" really don't go together. Break the spell!!!!!

I would just think and I may be wrong. Given the flexibility of spectra line as opposed to wire. The possibility of getting the line wrapped around your neck during a pitchpole, as minimal as it may be, would be greater with the line versus the wire.

Breaking the spell----

Anyway. Thats one I hadn't thought of. Life is inherentlydangerous. No one gets out alive. The reality is that chances are that unless there is no tension on the trap line the chances of it getting wrapped around your neck are probably pretty slim. Probably in the same realm of possibility as one of the sheets making it around your neck. Just my opinion.

Spell.......broken. Where the angel smilie face?

I've been using Dynema for 4-5 years now for my front bridle pigtails on my P19mx w/ a bowfoil (from a N6.0NA). I got pissed off when my brand new $90.00 pigtails lasted 3 weeks before I had several broken strands due to kinking the "wire rope" when rigging/unrigging the boat. I used maybe $5.00 of 1/8" Dynema, wrapped around several times. Currently I calculate I need a (breaking) load in excess of 10,000lbs to cause a failure of a bridle pigtail. I spend $5.00 and replace them every two years.

I have had no issues. and am completely happy w/ this solution.

I will be replacing my trap wires on the P19mx with Dynema/Vectra/Spetra most likely this year. And I can color cooridinate my rigging .... Martha Stewert isn't the only crafty one ....

Note: it has been my experience that the line APPEARS to stretch, because under intial loading the lines lengths grows slightly. But what is actually happening is something like a "CHINESE FINGER PUZZLE", as the weeve/braid is tightening down on itself. So unless you prestretch the line before installation it will lengthen slightly until it comes to an equilibruim of braid tightness-vs-loading.

Stephen- if you want to put this through as a rule change do you think we could include the installation of the sm pulleys I have on the trap bungies @ the gunwale passthroughs to reduce chaffing and extend the bungies lifespan. You know the ones I'm talking about ... the ones I had to remove @ Geneva because of our mutual admirer.

Harry

_________________
HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11

Man... If I could just get some more people to get an FX-One down here in Div 2, I would go for when my 16 is paid off next year!!!

It definately looks like the right boat for me, for all the right reasons, but not having anyone to race with is a show stopper, and PORTSMOUTH sucks!

Now a comment on the original topic. I would have no problems using Spectra, or Dynema to trap off of. And maybe even standing rigging, they are rated to 4000 lbs, and think of the load the Dynema on H-16 jib halyard is under cranked in tight...

bphendri12,

You just need to find some one else who is interested, and both get a FX One to keep it interesting and show up to all the races.

Then hopefully they will see you guys out there and the class will grow.

Thats what we have done up here in Northwest. We got two started and we will see where it goes from there.

Some body just has to make the first move.

Maybe we will come down for a regatta later this year to California. Hopefully get some FXs together.

_________________
Mike Hensel
'86 Hobie 18, '93 Hobie 14, '80 Hobie 14(restso in progress)
Wind in your sails, water in your shoes, great day!

I forgot to mention I am already using spectra for my jib Halyard on my P19mx as I straightened the "hook" and/or had issues dropping the jib several times. It has worked great!!! I secure the halyard to the 10-hole adjuster that is located where the bridles meet. I can adjust the height of the jib by simply adjusting the length of the halyard ... easy. The only issue was the initial "tightening of the braid" the first several sails until the halyard come to an equilibruim braid tightness.

And a side note: I take offense to the statement "portsmouth sucks". It is just different ... and results in many more people being able to race their sailboat when there is not enough competitors to form a One-Design Class!!! Many of us out here live that reality. You must approach a "portsmouth handicap race" w/ a different mindset thats all. Basically and simply: Sail your own race ... do what you do best ... make the competition sail your race, do not sail theirs!!! Compared to a H20 Miracle the P19mx is a "footer" ... so I do not get into pinching contests !!! I foot and go like stink. It has help teach me to realize the strengths/weakness of my boat (and the "tuning") even when I compete in a One-Design Regetta as each boat is still unique in its performance due to differences in tuning, wieght, crew's abilities ... etc etc.

And there is nothing better then beating a "faster" boat boat-for-boat!!! When racing against "faster' boats I pick one slightly faster and then try to whip their A_s! They force me to sail at the "top of my game".

So try it with this attitude ... and you may find it helps improve your racing /sailing skills.

"And the Lil' Engine said .... I think I can, I think I can ..."

Sail Flat, Sail Fast
Harry

_________________
HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11

Harry,

Miracle 20's are "footer's" too, pinching is slow!

Must be the Hobie just plain out performs the Prindle upwind by pointing higher!

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Yes it does ... a H-20 miracle points higher until you develope "flow" over the foils on the P19. You have to hold her nose down until you feel the speed and then let the boat tell you that she wants to "come up". I attribute this to the difference in the board designs of the two boats: H20-daggerboards vs P19mx-swing/pivot boards

Of course when you hit a Jersey sandbar at full-tilt boogie ...

Also, at the H18Na's last year I watched (from behind) as "the Master" Mr Jim Sohn gave a clinic on how to win ... FOOT!!! Get into clear air and pick your shifts to tack on.

Winners-Foot ... Middle of the Pack Finishers-Pinch

When I race my P19mx against my friends on their H20's ... I win some ... I lose some .... but WE always have a GREAT TIME and isn't that the real point of it all.

Harry

_________________
HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11

Agreed on the hitting anything full tilt!
Seems like I can't get away from attention to nicked boards and leaking trunks...the price we pay.

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

I use spectra for lifelines and to lash my sprit down on my Olson 30. As mentioned, you need to tension it to get the initial stretch out then you're good-to-go.

One Caveat: The knots you tie in spectra reduces the strength by half(ish) so learn to splice the 12 strand and keep your knts at a minimum. 12 strand is very easy to splice; use the samson online splicing resources to learn how. I use a meat thermometer that I cut up to use as a fid.

Curious about the lack of 'stickers' on the FX One (Mike H). What products / methods did you use to remove them? I find that WD-40 does not work the same magic as it does on removing pinstripes on cars or stickers from motorcycles.

Use a pressue washer. I couldn't believe how easily the factory HCE graphics blew off my FXone. I had a guy in Florida duplicate the old graphics for me in vinyl for $180. The font for "FXONE" is mistral, with the "X" being inverted.