Attaching the trapeze

What's the best way to attach the trap wires up on the mast? I order the wires locally and they didn't come with instructions. Do I need to attach a new bracket or can I use a bigger shackle on the forestay and shroud bracket? This is my first boat with a tarpeze on it so this is all new to me! Thanks Jeff

While planning on doing so, I have yet to attach a trap to the Wave. I think I would use a larger shackle and add the wires on the outsides of the stay wires.
I had given some thought to putting the wires higher, but don't think it is necessary and I would rather trust the aluminum than the comptip.
Rick

I just got the kit. Here are the instructions.

tell us how the trapeze is. I'm thinking about getting it. Do yuo need a tiller extension. If so, which oen are you using.

Hold on, if you get a tiller extension, you would have to pass it across the boat under the sail. Would you then shorten the tillers so the extension would go behind the blocks?? I mean, you're going to have to have an extension if you are trapping!

On our hp dinghy (past tense) the block/traveler was above the single tiller and it had a 6' tiller extension for each side, that's right, two of them.
I'm thinking the Wave may be an application for thinking outside of the box. How about a little three or four foot aluminum job on each side, mounted right to the tiller, or just inboard of the joint on the crossbar, sos it can just "flop" straight aft when not in use?

Or how about....

I don't know what the joint at the tiller/crossbar is exactly. H20 or old H14/16 stlye or something different but concievably you could make that bolt longer, put a swivel on top it for attachment of the extension and a velcro strap on the extension to keep in place when not in use.

I like the flop idea. I think the 1st one would be kinda dangerous. Getting impaled is not what i want to do. Luckily i have 2005 so i can just put a normal tiller extension on. I think.

What's the difference between 2005 and earlier vs later boats that allows it to possibly take a normal tiller extension?

You can put a tiller extension on any Wave, no matter when built. The difference is that on all of the original models, the mainsheet block system attaches to the clew of the sail BEHIND the tiller crossbar, so you don't have to flip the tiller extension around behind the mainsheet system when you tack or jibe -- you just bring the tiller extension across the boat with you, as you would with a Laser or most monohulls.

But with the new rudder system, the mainsheet system attaches IN FRONT OF the tiller crossbar, so you flip the tiller extension around behind the mainsheet system when you tack or jibe, just as with most beach cats.

There are pros and cons about both the old and new rudder system. I haven't had a chance to try the new rudder system yet, so I can't really give an informed opinion on that.

As far as the tiller extension, it does not affect those of us who race the Wave one-design, because a tiller extension is not allowed under class rules.

If you are souping the boat up for fun sailing or for open-class racing, and adding foresails and trapeze, and if you are sailing alone on the boat, I don't think it makes any difference whether the tiller crossbar and extension are behind or in front of the mainsheet system -- just a matter of technique in going across the boat. But if you have other people on the boat, it is more convenient for the tiller extension to be going around behind rather than across the deck, which is probably why most beach cats use that system.

Depending upon what rudder system you have, and how you are going to use the boat, there is definitely some room for creativity in terms of tiller extensions.

Thanks, Mary. I would think passing the tiller extension aft of the mainsheet blocks would be preferable if you have a long tiller extension needed for trapezing unlesss you had an adjustable version but in that case you'd have to keep extending and retracting it when you tack/jibe so that might be a pain.

Jerry

I attached the Trapeze but haven't had a chance to really try it. It was a bit daunting on the beach. I got myself out on the trapeze and couldn't imagine how I would do it under sail. Perhaps I will try it on my trip to Hatteras in April, the sound is nice and shallow. (The hobie is my light air alternative when not windsurfing.)

I went with an adjustable tiller extension mounted on the center of the tiller cross bar. I have the old style rudder so the mainsheet is behind the cross bar.

My next addition to the rig will be the traveler kit. I've got it sitting in the basement ready for my trip to Hatteras.

Getting out on the trapeze: It's trickier to do when you are steering the boat. Some people put both the tiller extension and the mainsheet in their aft hand and hold the trapeze handle with their forward hand while getting out on the wire. Some people don't use the handle at all -- they have the tiller in their aft hand and the mainsheet in their forward hand and just drop butt overboard and push out with feet. Until you get the "hang" of it, I would suggest using the handle.

Whatever your technique, you should always push out first with your forward leg. (The trapeze wire is angled forward to the mast and will tend to pull you forward, so you need to counteract that.)

When first practicing to get out on the trapeze, it might be easier if you start with the trapeze adjuster line set with the ring fairly high, and keep lowering it as you get more comfortable with the process of getting in and out on the trapeze. The goal of trapezing is to have your body extended straight out, perpendicular to the side of the boat.

You probably won't actually NEED to use the trapeze on the Wave, but the practice will come in handy if you ever sail on a bigger cat, either as skipper or as crew.

P.S. You said the Wave is going to be your light-air boat when you are not windsurfing. I don't know what a windsurfer considers to be light air, but I would guess it would be anything up to 20 knots?

P.P.S. I am going to order a traveler track kit for my Wave. Even though it is not class legal for racing, I think it is going to be a significant improvement to the boat for sailing off the wind in heavy air. I think it will be helpful in 15 knots plus.

Your extendable tiller might not work very well. Despite it being able to fold in you still have to jump over the tiller extension during the tack. And you have to un-extend it before or during the tack. Very clumsy.

Better way. Check the following site and you will note the best tiller type -- one piece, non-extendable that goes out both sides. We used this type on the Shark Catamaran for years and it worked very well.
You will have to bend each side up a bit so when flying a hull the other end of the tiller is not dragging in the water.
Here is the URL
http://www.catsailor.com/waves/superwave_overall.html

Mary's description of the trapezing is spot on.
Rick

I ordered the trapeze yesterday. I also got the hobie convertible harness. Can't wait!

There is a pretty good FAQ on the Hobie site about trapeze technique.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1145

I recommend you practice while on the beach too. Get the moves down before heading out and do it as a crew first!

Thanks, i can't wait until it comes. Too bad i still have to wait another month for the water to be warmer then it is now.