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Topic: Trapeze Heights |
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Jan Newman |
Posted: 01-May-06 20:05 |
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This is one for Pete, I have followed the training as described on the Spice Website and it looks like it could be very useful. Incidently well done whoever responsible for updating the website it now looks as through the class is alive again.
Pete says we should trapeze high, any guide on how high ? Should we be able to sit on the side deck whilst clipped on ? or should we aim to be higher still ?
Jan
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Simon Boyle |
Posted: 02-May-06 16:31 |
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Pete's advice at the last session was start short, ie so that you're not able to sit on the side deck. We tried this and it certainly helps - easier to sail the boat flat and easier to come in on to your feet when tacking. |
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spice364 |
Posted: 02-May-06 20:47 |
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we keep it low as possible , 1st it improves the wrighting moment on the boat, although it means a good wet suit is needed to start with. 2nd when you do over do it there is less chance of falling through the sail.
Jim |
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Jan Newman |
Posted: 03-May-06 15:28 |
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Thanks both of you, two diametrically opposite opinions. |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 03-May-06 18:07 |
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A high wire reduced the righting moment of the body. In moderate breeze, a high wire will get you out there and allow you to stay there whilst triming the sails in the gusts. The crew moves around.
If you are on a low wire in the same conditions, you have a greater righting moment. To compensate for this, you have to squat on the side of the boat - doesn't look good, doesn't provide the helm with a stable platform to provide a stable boat for the crew oh and my god does it hurt the next day at the office!!
With a high wire, it enable the helm to hook on and go out a bit easier. There is a slight annomoly with the photo sequence on the Spice site www.topper-spice.com (in the training section).
As you come in off the wire, drop the mainsheet to the floor and totally let go of it (uncleated). As you go across the boat under the boom, re-grab the main at the cleat with the same hand you just let go with. As you stand up and turn on the new side, the old front hand is now the new tiller hand (it also has the mainsheet in it) The new tiller hand now takes hold of the tiller whilst maintaining the mainsheet. The old tiller hand lets go and grabs the trap ring and hooks onto the harness / wire. Then takes the mainsheet from the tiller hand. The helm then swings out onto the wire and pulls the main in at the same time.
Phew!
So here is a summary of what I said at the weekend:
- In no wind the helm won't be on the wire.
- Marginal wind - the helm is on a high wire and the crew is moving in and out to help balance.
- Moderate wind - both are out on the wire and starting to lower themselves enough to enable them both to stay trapezing except for big lulls.
- heavy wind / overpowering conditions both lengthen their wires to increase righting moment.
At all times, the boat is kept flat. In the breezy stuff, both will be wiring, but the main might be over the leeward quarter! So long as the boat is flat AND you are both on the wire maxed out AND the boat is pointing in the right direction, then this is fine. In the lulls the main is pulled in. In major lulls, both may have to squat in.
A tendancy is for people to think that they must be on the wire together. In order to do this, they end up pulling the sails in and bearing away without realising it. You are now going slow and in the wrong direction! Always look where you are going.
Will that all do for now!?
Any further info, then sign up to a training weekend.
[Edited by Pete Lindley on 03-May-06 18:09] |
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