When can't you have crew on a trapeze?

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Occasionally I see small dinghys amd cats with their crew out on a trapeze.
I then see bigger yachts with their crew all sat along the gunnel.
Is there a point at which trapezing is not done related to the size of the boat for any reason?
I ask this because after seeing a cat whizz by us this weekend, my young crew scurried around and put on harnesses and lifejackets and had themselves hanging out to windward on spare halyards and helped us gain a knot straight away.

 

[dt4134]

It's usually covered by the class rules or sailing instructions for a race. Basically if you have guardrails the crew have to stay inside the lower guardrail.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Thanks JCP.......So in the same way is it not allowed to hang some dead weight out from a halyard to get a similar benefit?

 

[DJE]

Ultra 30 anybody?

 

[dt4134]

Thanks JCP.......So in the same way is it not allowed to hang some dead weight out from a halyard to get a similar benefit?

For 'normal' boats (I guess in my thinking that means IRC racing) the rule is usually that all equipment must be kept in its proper place. But class rules & sailing instructions affect it.
For example the class rules may allow canting keels, but the sailing instructions for an event may specify that they are to be locked in place.

 

[shmoo]

Never used it but we have a stop cock between the two fresh water tanks which, if closed just before a tack would ensure 100kg or so of water on the uphill side of the boat after the tack. I guess that might help a bit.

 

[dt4134]

I think it was a Sigma 38 that also had that. Technically it is cheating so you could be disqualified for it. Still, worse things happen in France.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Thanks JCP.......So in the same way is it not allowed to hang some dead weight out from a halyard to get a similar benefit?

I think he covered that when he said crew weren't allowed outside the lower rail

 

[dt4134]

I think he covered that when he said crew weren't allowed outside the lower rail

Definitely. You can't hang the deadweight from the halyard, it's his boat so the deadweight usually insists on helming.

Having insulted all Frenchmen and all boat owners I'll gracefully retire from this thread for this evening. :-}

 

[Boreades]

Sometimes you have to send the crew over the side. Like the day we were entering Moulin Blanc in Brest, with my brother navigating.

Me: "All the other boats are going inside the channel marks. How about following them?
Brother: "No, follow the channel marked on the chart. "
Me: "Err, the water looks a bit brown, and the depth's dropping fast"
Brother: "No, follow the channel marked on the chart. "

Followed seconds later by a gentle but definite decelaration as we grounded on the mud bank.

As my brother had insisted we go that way, it was only right and proper that he was the one to crawl out along the boom after we swung it as far amidships as we could. That did the trick, canting our boat enough to one side to lift the keel and save further embarrassment.

 

[pagoda]

I think he covered that when he said crew weren't allowed outside the lower rail

Yes - the phrase "rail meat" is not used in jest D

Trapezing on a dinghy going flat out is magic.

In good weather for a little entertainment my son has used a trapeze harness on the
second spinnaker halyard - not racing (of course) and to no effect on heel either!
He said it was pretty tame by comparison with a performance dinghy....

Graeme

 

[temptress]

Because of Clarionet & Roundabout

Depends on the rules. Generally ORC rules state that if you have Guard-wires then your torso must be inside the lower one. Gaurd-wires are requires for safety on ORC rated boats on cat 3 or above races and some cat 4 (inshore)

This rule was introduced because of two boats that raced in the UK in the mid 60’s. The S&S one tons Clarionet and Roubdabout. They had 3 crew on trapezes. They cleaned up both inshore and offshore in th efrist two seasons with crew often spending several days on the wire when offshore. It was decided that it was unsafe to have crew outside the guardwires and the rule was introduced.

Claroinet which I still sail on today continues to be competitive offshore.

 

[armchairsailor]

The Whisper Secrets (?) kit gaffers have trapezes, and I read that they're supposed to go like they need them too.

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

Charles Currey

Interesting that this thread came up the same month the man who (is credited with having) invented the Trapeze died:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7135285.ece