Hi we have a stock H16 and sail with around 150kg / 330 lb of crew weight.... what wind speed would you normally expect to be both on trapeze?

I would say with your crew weight,you are looking at 15knts of wind before being double trapped.Sailing at min.(285lbs) weight you are twin wired at around 12knts.I will be able to tell you better this summer as I bought myself a wind meter.

This is good info.

Now, suppose the crew weight combined was more like 150lbs for myself and 120lbs for my girlfriend.

Would I be able to avoid double trapping if I were to sheet out?

The reason that I ask, is that my girlfriend is deathly affraid of sailing and I don't think I will ever be able to convince her to get out on the wire.

I honestly don't forsee myself sailing on more than 10-12 knot winds.

Sheet the main in, you want good flow of the telltales, but just travel out till the boat settles down. Try as much downhaul as you can first. Good luck and that should make the boat a little more stable for her. Last thing you want to do is scare her. She will NEVER get on again then. I had to add barbell weight to the boat by the mast before to make class weight. Once you learn the boat a little more it should settle down ad be easier.

Doug

My girlfriend wasn't a big fan of being on the wire untill she got used to it. Same with a few of my friends. They all discovered the same thing, and that its generally more comfortable than sitting on the side rail.

Ryan --

I can't tell you how many girlfriends I have seen converted. Get her out on the wire once, and you'll never be able to get her back in!!

Of course, you will want to do it on a day that is not real puffy. And you will want to make sure you have your game face on to make sure you don't dump the poor gal. All the while, of course, you want to make sure you are smiling BIG like this is the most fun you have ever had on a Hobie -- which it might likely be!!

Just make a deal she can't refuse -- hot tub afterwards, candlelight dinner, that soapy movie she has been dying to see, and oh yeah, don't forget the brand new Lexus!

That exact technique worked for me!!! well, with the exception of the Lexus

A - Have new crew get used to the trapeze on dry land. Let them practice getting in and out. Show them proper footing and bracing. Front leg stiffer / straight, aft leg bent and the "shock absorber". Get them out there and push them a little from behind to get them used to the boat in motion and how to brace for deceleration. Spend some time, it pays off on the water.

B - You can always use the traveler to prevent the hull from flying when sailing with less weight on the wire. Travel out and sheet normally.

Me and my friend have been learning using trapezes this summer and this have been very usefull information.

But how much wind you can take when sailing alone (80 kg / 176 lb) before you need trapeze?

10 - 12 knots I suppose. You can use the main traveler (out) to keep the boat down too.