Trapeze shock cord modification, class illegal?

Hi all,

Am brainstorming some possibilities to make my boat similar to dave's where he took his shock chords and got them to stop rubbing on the rails. However instead of doing the complex system he has, I was just thinking of drilling a couple holes and putting these on my hulls: http://www.mauriprosailing.com/us/product/HAR424B.html

Would this modification be class illegal? Is Dave's modification class illegal? I hope it would be okay, it would help me on maintenance in the long run.

Hey Evan,

I don't know if the trap-return system is illegal or not but it's never been protested even though I was told that the single hole drilled in the lip of the hull is in violation of Hobie Class rules. Anyway, know that my overkill trap=return system design has multiple functions. It not only saves wear-N-tear on the rail-rug but also makes the boat simpler to rig and enables the skipper to go further aft on the stern when trapping out without the bungee pulling you forward. I know it looks complexed but once it's done, it's done !!! Also know that my system uses mini-blocks, minimizing the wear on the bungees. The boat was configured to be rigged single handedly and this system cuts about 10 minutes off the rigging time !!! Good luck with your decision.

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Happy Sailing,

David

How often do you compete at hobie events?

I like your idea, I just think I can make it simpler instead of running the bungee's back and fourth under the tramp like you do.

How far from the shroud are each of your traps pulleys anchored to the hulls?

It falls under the category of borderline legality (the rules don't explicitly state that you can modify the trapeze return system and technically, you would be altering the deck/ deck flange by drilling holes which is a violation of general rule 9.4), but the likelihood of being protested at a regatta is very small unless you're racing at a major championship and in the top 1/3rd of the fleet. So really, I wouldn't worry about it.

sm

BboySlug,



Yeah !!! What HE said.

No, but seriously !!! If you set it up the seemingly complexed way, you'll never have to be concerned about your trap return system again. You set it once and that's the way it stays, for life (unless you wear it out}. Then all you'll have to do is replace the bungee. BTW, the distance between the returns is relative. All of my crew members have been small so for me, it was 20 inches. Also know that the trap lines are color-coded. Black for the skipper and light blue for the crew so there's no confusion when it's time to go out. I'm kinda tall (6' 2") so my trap-line is a little shorter than the crew's. It's easier to pull up with an extended arm than it is with a retracted one. Have fun !!!

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Happy Sailing,

David

Problem with a fairland on the deck is now the trap bungee are very low a deck level and water/waves often reach that level and would catch the bungee. It also is not class legal. Just my 2 cents, Jim.

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ADDICTION
1989 HOBIE 18 SE/sx wings
HOBIE ALTER SIGNATURE MODEL

HOBIE 911,

In that case, the holes that everyone makes for the foot straps and the Hawaiian righting system make those boats illegal too !!!



BTW, I'm sure the bungee gets wet but it's not like they're dragging through the water !!!

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Happy Sailing,

David

Well... from IHCA:

6.7 Foot straps may be installed on the crossbars, sidebars or hulls.
6.9 Safety lines are permitted.

That's all I saw about hull mods. No exemptions for trapeze systems.

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'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

Thanks for the heads-up, Anton. I think Matt was saying something to that effect. Oh, well !!! Nevertheless, I'm inclined to go along with SRM's theory. I think it was Matt that saying "if it's not a steroid, they probably won't bother."

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Happy Sailing,

David

Hello DavidBell47;

I hope this is an OK place to post this Q ... it is related. I'm newbie and joining this conversation late.

I didn't see a link to a prior thread so; It appears from you photo that your port crew's trap bungee, crosses forward to become the skipper's starboard trap bungee and, vs-versa on the other set. Is that right? And if it is; How does this facilitate the skipper moving further aft?

*Mod: If this needs to be moved to an old thread or starts a new one, please see that DavidBell47 receives a notice.

Hey, HobieMak41,
I don't think BboySlug would mind, seeing that your question is of similar subject matter. And yes, you're absolutely right (It appears from you photo that your port crew's trap bungee, crosses forward to become the skipper's starboard trap bungee and, vs-versa on the other set. Is that right?) except the crew's port trap bungee crosses BACKWARDS (three times) to become the skipper's starboard trap bungee and vs-versa.





Know that each bungee is more than twice as long (probably 3 times) as the bungee in the standard configuration. The additional elasticity allows the skipper (or crew if necessary) to trap out further aft without the bungee pulling them forward like it does in the standard configuration. Also know that even though that bungee is anchored about mid-hull, there's still enough tension so that everything snaps right back into place when coming off the wire.

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Happy Sailing,

David