Trap harnesses

Hi Guys and Gals,

I'm thinking about buying a new trapeze harness and solciting any and all opinions on the subject. I'm currently using an old Hobie diaper style harness with shoulder straps that came with the boat. It's the only harness I've got so I'd like a second one that's a bit kinder to my nether-regions. My first choice for a new harness was Hobie's convertible harness. I've looked through the forum and found nothing but good reviews on it, but I'm wondering how much I'll actually use the shoulder straps. I don't race, and in my extremely limited trapezing experience, I think I tend to sit up more than lean out. Even when leaning out, I don't believe the shoulder straps are supporting any weight.

For you guys with the convertible harness, do you use the shoulder straps often, or do you generally go without them? I'm starting to think it might make more sense to save the money and just get the skipper's harness. I've looked at Murray's and Salty Dog as well, but none of them include the spreader bar - by the time you add that in, they all cost about the same as the skipper's harness.

Does anyone out there use the skipper's harness? Do you think it has enough back support for a recreational skipper, or will I be sorry I didn't spend the extra money for optional shoulder straps?

Also, what about sizing? I'm 5' 9", 190 pounds with a 36" waist. I think large sounds a bit right, but most people I'd be taking on the boat will be smaller than I am. Will a large (either convertible or skipper's harness, or other type) adjust down to smaller sizes, or would I be better of squeezing into a medium so that others can wear the harness as well?

_________________
-Bill

Conesus Lake, NY
1976 Hobie 14

On sizing - I'm 6'3" 190lbs and I use a medium (full-harness, but sizing should work the same for convertable or skippers). I'm about as big as will fit a medium - the thighs are the limiting factor for me.

I'd say a large will fit you great, but a medium might fit great and be better for your smaller crews. Probably not much help!

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

Bill:

If you are going to spend a lot of time on the wire. Whether recreational or racing get the hull/convertible harness. You lower back will thank you for it. The new harnesses are very comfortable and don't pull your crotch like the old ones did.

Good Sailing,

Doug and Ashleigh Snell
Hobie 17 # 007
Sunfish
Soon to be Mystere 4.3 #149

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like it wouldn't hurt to have the optional shoulder straps.

For all you Hobie dealers out there - how do Hobie's harnesses come packaged? Do you generally allow people to try them on in the store to get the sizing right, or do they come sealed in plastic that you'd rather keep sealed until they leave your shop? If it's generally acceptable to try harnesses on in the store, maybe I'll just pile everyone in the car and see what size works best for the greatest number of people.

tjp, you're comfortable in your medium? Don't feel like you're crammed in at all? Maybe a medium will work after all...

_________________
-Bill

Conesus Lake, NY
1976 Hobie 14

Bill,

I got lucky about ten years ago, and picked up a brand new clearance item, the Murray's Marine, full harness with spreader bar. Best thing I ever did since I started with Hobie's. My back thanks me, and it is crotchless, with comfortable leg straps. I would be happy to lie back and ride the wind all day!

For my 12 year old, who has been sailing with us since he was 2, we found a windsurfer's harness, and that works even though it is a very 'casual' approach to hiking out. Not recommended for long time frames or for heavier built people, but what do you expect for $20? This summer, he will be going to Bronze 4 & 5 Sailing Camp, (Lasers, and 420's with Spinnaker,) and no doubt we'll get the call for a harness. I am guessing that we'll put him in a medium at 5'2" and 105lbs, which will leave him room to grow.

However, if you are going to be spending longer than 30 minutes dangling on the end of a wire, get the newer style Hobie harnesses. I've seen them, and they are great. Call up The Boat Store in Syracuse, they have always been good to us. When one is hiking out, one needs to concentrate on so many things, why worry about comfort?

Good winds

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

We always let people try before they buy, they come in plastic however we always open then and hang them on the wall! In our old shop we had a trap rig hanging from the ceiling so you could trap from the window seal and see how you liked it, we are in the process of arranging something similar in the new place! I could not imagine a Dealer not wanting you to try on the harness in the store.

I use the convertible harness and I have no clue where there shoulder straps are, I've used them once. The convertible has much more back support, even w/o the straps than the skippers harness.

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com <online store coming soon!
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard/Hunter Dealer
[email protected]
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

The problem with using a windsurfer harness is that the hook is too high. On a windsurfer the hook is up right underneath the chest, to hook into the higher book, and pull it down towards the water.

While a catamaran harness the hook is righ about at belly button level, which lets you get your enitre body weight on the rail, acting as a big righting lever.

While you can still hook up with the windsurfer harness, you are not getting the full advantage of the trapeeze.

I am comfortable in it, but keep in mind that I am significatnly taller @ the same weight - thus not as big around

I agree with the others - go to the store and try it on! We amused the tourists for half an hour trying on harnesses at Hobie Cats NW (there was some street fair going on that day).

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

I had the same experience as Brad from Sunjammers. I used the shoulder straps from my convertible harness only a few times. There is really a ton of back support.
Different harnessess fit people differently, so it's nice to try them on, but I've noticed the "new generation" of harnessess that have hit the market in recent years tend to comfortably fit a broader range of the population.
Just have your local dealer tie a line up in the rafters of his shop, that will give you a good enough idea of the harness' fit. Sometimes, I'll let my customers walk down to the beach and trap off of my boat on the sand.

_________________
Sail Revolution
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Thanks again everyone - I really appreciate the comments. One more quickie - do people generally wear their harness over or underneath their lifejacket? I was thinking it might be slightly more comfortable/less bulky to wear the harness underneath the lifejacket, but I could see this becoming a safety issue as well (if you had to get out of the harness quickly). Any thoughts?

_________________
-Bill

Conesus Lake, NY
1976 Hobie 14