Trapeze help

Okay.. so I got my hobie last year.. decided not to put the trap wires on because I wanted to just learn how to sail the thing..

Now that it's year 2, I've decided that when I get it on the dock, I'm going to put at least one trap wire on each side but I have a few questions.

First, most of my sailing is solo, is there an issue with going on the trapeze when you are solo? Am I going to fall and lose my boat and have to swim to shore?

Second, my 82 has the original wires and hooks and I think I have a couple of the diaper looking harnesses at home. I was going to try hiking out on that before I drop the coin on a nice harness... Anyways, my question is.. how the heck does the old system work? I see in the hobie catalog all the different options for adjustable and what not, but how do I use the original stuff? I know where to put the wire on the mast, but I don't know what to do on the bottom side. I've seen setups with bungies and what not, I have no clue how that needs to get setup.

Anybody have a trapezing 101 they care to share? I have my catsailing start to finish at home.. I don't remember if there is a chapter on hiking or not.. I'll have to look at it again.

Barren,

Most of your concerns in trapping solo would still probably be your concerns even with an inexperienced crew. You could still fall off the boat and have to swim to shore if your crew couldn't skipper the boat back to you. Whatever the probability, you want to make sure your trapping gear (wire, bungee, harness) are all in top condition. If there's any doubt, spend the money. That will at least minimize the likelyhood of you taking a dump, metaphorically speaking.

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Happy Sailing,

David

The wires all look to be in good condition.. my boat never saw much action... it sat in a yard for 10 years completely unrigged...

to start out set the trap wire as high as it will go. this way you are not lying down as much. keep your back leg bent and you front one straight. try it on a day were the trap is not necessary. When i single on the trap i like to tie the Jib sheets to the crew trap wire that way they are right there when you are on the trap and cannot be dropped.
good luck.

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1979 Hobie 16

Yes, you will fall off, and the best you can do is hang on to something. For example, as I was getting the hang of trapezeing solo on the 16, the main sheet went overboard, and as I was pulling it in I took my eye off of where the boat was going and hit a large wave, which threw me forward and off balance. On my way to the jib, I took the tiller with me steering the boat downwind. With my weight shifted forward and a sharp downwind turn, the lee bow pitchpoled, and over went the boat.

If you don't already have an assembly and rigging manual for your boat, then order one. It should have instructions for how to rig the trapeze. In the FAQ section of this forum is a posting describing trapezeing technique.

Anybody else have issues with um... the diaper style harness being a bit too snug in the front? aka.. pinching and what not? I'm tempted to wear a jock and maybe a cup when I first try it out...

Lol that's why I use the my windsurfing outfit as it has a bar that goes across the front taking the load off the crotch area

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

A harness with a spreader bar is a must.

A crotchless style harness helps, too.

No equipment to pinch . . . your equipment.

been there done that. crotchless harness is the way to go. spreader bar is a good way to spend 25 bucks.

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1979 Hobie 16

Coolio, glad to hear that I'm not the only person who felt it was a bit more than "uncomfortable"....

Well... I've made my triumphant spamming return to the hobie forums.. :J

I've just been too busy to stay current..

I did put the trap wires on this past season, but never ventured out on them. I finally took a passenger/crew for the first time other than when I learned from a friend how to handle the beast. It was definitely an interesting experience. I hope I didn't scare her too much! A storm rolled in and it got a little crazy on the lake. We also had some near incidents in the mooring field in the harbor. I actually did "donuts" with my h16! Calm before the storm followed by wind shifts of epic proportions, followed by crazy high winds. Was a hoot... fairly challenging to get it going after the donuts, had to have her just let out the jib so we would stop spinning around in circles nearly capsizing each time... I hauled in the main and we took off like a rocket ship to the shore, which was my goal. The fun didn't end there, but it ends with the boat on the dock, safe and sound, and me with a bit of weeds all over me but no worse for wear. I think she'll come again, just probably not in the face of a storm. I can't believe how fast I had her going that day, damn what that a blast!

Anyways, I saw my sails on the porch last night and the cat under a tarp and a couple feet of snow and really miss the sailing season!

I too am sailing into my second year and would like to set up my double trapeze this summer. I have the trap wires, handles, and bungee cords, but no harness or other hooks and bars. Can anyone tell me the difference between"dogbones" and "spreader bars" and how are they used? What extras do I need and what equipment do you recommend?

Also, can someone explain how the end of the trap wire/ bungee cord gets attached?. Does it attach to the tramp side bar or do they tie together under the tramp?

Thanks,

Bill

1981 H16

A spreader bar is the hook portion of the trapeze harness (the part you wear). A spreader bar is a specific type of hook that was adopted from windsurfing harnesses. It is wider than a standard hook. This reduces compression on your body making trapezing more comfortable.

Dogbone can refer to either of two components in the trapeze setup. Both are shaped like a dog bone. The first type is a small plastic piece that is used as a stopper. It provides a very simple means of setting the trapeze height while still allowing the system to be adjustable on the water (though not while trapezing).

The second item that can be refered to as a dog bone is the stainless steel loop coming off the trapeze wire that you hook your spreader bar into. It was more common in the past. It consists of two stainless rings separated by a steel bar. The two rings would give you the option of a low or high trapeze height. J & H type handles are popular on Hobies now.

The bungee cord connects to the free ends of the trapeeze lines together. i.e. the skipper traps are connected together and the crew traps are connect together.

sm

The stainless dog bones could probably chip a tooth if it hits you in the face right while sitting on the tramp.