Okay so I got a bunch of stuff from Lowe's including a swaging tool ($25) some um... swages (can't remember what the real name is... the things that squish down over the wires) and a few other things.

After careful analysis of pics of other boats' trapeze systems, I wound up removing about 15" from each side which should really help matters:

BEFORE

Note how with the rings attached to the thimbles on the trap wire, you'd be trying to hook on right at the rail level.

AFTER

(I'm holding a part of the wire rope that I cut off.)


Hopefully this setup will last me a while now!


Meanwhile, I also got a flag to run up the mast when I'm not sailing: