trapeze harness

Hi all,

I have done a bit of trapezing in my time but not too much as I normally helm. I am about to make a move to trapeze helming.

I am looking for advice about which type of harness people reccomend for skiff sailing (nappy versus strappy) and how tight they should be worn.

In the past I have not liked any nappy style harnesses as I have found they crush my bits damn painfully. These are the adjustable nappy harnesses that come thorough the legs and have waist and shoulder adjustments. However  I have seen a lot of pictures of very experienced skiff sailors wearing nappy harnesses that have no waist adjustment and only shoulder strap adjustment (despite having 6 holes around the hook there is no rope or adjustment available). I know some people get these made to measure but have also seen them advertised in specific sizes. The thing that struck me in the pictures is that there is often a reasonable gap between the hook and the body when trapezing which suggests they are not done up too tight (which I thought was wrong). However maybe I have been wearing them too tight ? One complaint I have had is that if I capsize wearing a harness I find swimming mobility really impaired as is any other position in the boat than standing or wiring.

The other harnesses such as the gill skiff harness with multiple adjustable straps that come from shoulders, sides, and around both legs to a hexagonal hook centre (rather than spreader bar) has been my preferrance as it doesn't get my bits but I still find mobility in the water is a nightmare. I also find a spreader bar is bad as it doesn't allow breathing as well as the gill designed ones (sort of hexagon centre) - although wonder if a nappy style would be better still for this.

I know the answer is to try them all - and I have to the extent of the above preferences. Any suggestions or preferences particularly for mobility.

Mike