zhik trapeze harness

your

   The missus needs a new trap harness and I am tempted by the zhik harness as a chrissy present for her - it seems to have the lack of straps of a nappy style with the hook close to the body like a spreader bar harness and some adjustability for different sizes / layers of clothing unlike a made to measure. (Also means I don't have to measure her for a present without arousing suspicion  )

The only thing I'm not sure about is its comfort level for a woman - Zhik make a point of saying how much room there is for men if you know what I mean but how comfy would it be for a woman? Are there any female sailors out there who use this harness (or any other particularly comfy ones) who would be prepared to comment?

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Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Topic: zhik trapeze harness Posted: 02 Oct 08 at 12:02pm
	The missus needs a new trap harness and I am tempted by the zhik harness as a chrissy present for her - it seems to have the lack of straps of a nappy style with the hook close to the body like a spreader bar harness and some adjustability for different sizes / layers of clothing unlike a made to measure. (Also means I don't have to measure her for a present without arousing suspicion ) The only thing I'm not sure about is its comfort level for a woman - Zhik make a point of saying how much room there is for men if you know what I mean but how comfy would it be for a woman? Are there any female sailors out there who use this harness (or any other particularly comfy ones) who would be prepared to comment?
	Osprey 55 "Tebutinnang" Osprey 1245 "Two Bob Bit" Miracle 1358 "Thumper"

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 08 at 12:36pm
	I have never used a zhik harness. My favourite has always been my made to measure nappy harness because it was snug and comfy with minimal fuss. Thanks to a well known philanthropic gentleman (grumpf, no less) I now also have a musto race harness, which seems to meet with approval of both me and the potential 14 crew (also female) as does the Dakine harness, which I like the look and fit of a lot, but neither of them have yet been tested on the water. My least favourite is the one I currently use in the contender which is a crewsaver spreader bar style. I thought it was comfy till I did 9 light wind races in it in Kingston and it chafed. See how carefully I chose my words there.... I have to say that as an experienced harness wearer of many moons, I would not want one as a surprise pressie, unless I had by mysterious means of persuasion I had somehow found myself trying it on before purchase. You should try to casually pop by a dinghy store and try some on, just for fun, you understand..... (I did crew an osprey once, with Sue Harrop in the Bloody Mary - it was fab, though I could have wished for being the weight I am now)
	the same, but different...

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 08 at 12:38pm
	Oh, and as I scrape down the 14 I dream of a crew/harness with one of those recessed hook things which will not damage my carefully tended woodwork.... That is definitely on the 'to buy' list.
	the same, but different...

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 08 at 12:44pm
	Just to ramble on a bit more, the zhik does look good - the belt arrangement is very similar to the Dakine design and I see what you mean about the neoprene crotch bit - it might be a bit bulky for a woman though. For my part, I would rather have nothing down there (but then y'all know that about me anyway! ) and go for the straps.... Edited by winging it
	the same, but different...

Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 08 at 12:53pm
	I know what you mean about hooks and carefully tended varnish - we had a very uncoordinated race last weekend where she had to crawl up the foredeck a number of times to retrieve kite sheets etc. from under the boat. Perhaps one of those recessed hooks needs to be on the list as well - where do you get those? Perhaps I'll just have to get her some romantic spinnaker sheets instead and let her buy her own harness......
	Osprey 55 "Tebutinnang" Osprey 1245 "Two Bob Bit" Miracle 1358 "Thumper"

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 08 at 9:40pm
	Flush hooks are available in various designs from John Waddington john [AT] jwaddington9.wanadoo.co.uk The spreader bar type was a straight swap on my harness. Another design cost £20 to fit to my crew's harness at our local sailmaker.
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Oct 08 at 8:27am
	Thanks, I shall have a look into that for her indoors - god forbid she should scrape my new varnish after my hours of toil in the garage!
	the same, but different...

RyanV49er Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Oct 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 217	Post Options Post Reply Quote RyanV49er Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Oct 08 at 1:06pm
	The flush hooks are not great for quick tacks and gybes though. it's tricky to get hooked on compared to a conventional harness, in my opinion.
	Online sailing: For when you just can't get to the club: Visser49erracing

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Oct 08 at 2:16pm
	I find they take some getting used to, but crews who have persevered say they have no problems...
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

Contender 541 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 05 Location: Burton on Trent Online Status: Offline Posts: 1402	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender 541 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Oct 08 at 1:44pm
	Sorry to resurrect an old thread I have picked up a crewing job on a 5oh and while I have a perfectly serviceable Trap Harness, it is a multi adjustable strap and spreader bar jobby, so I am thinking of a new harness - Zhik Read a bit about Zhik and the new harness and it is all good - but then (to misquote Mandy Rice-Davis) "they would say that wouldn't they" My question is....... Has anyone actually got / used the Zhik harness and what are your thoughts?
	When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780