Laser Vago/RS Vision/Topper Omega

[QUOTE=NickA]

If the mast breaks blame laser.  The Vago's designed and advertised for single hand trapezing (and I don't see a weight limit specced) so if you break a mast you're doing everyone a favour by forcing laser / selden to redesign it!!!!!

/QUOTE]

I had a conversation with Laser on this issue and they don't recomend someone of my not inconsiderable weight trapezing as it will over stress the mast. In fact with my weight conditions would have to be ballistic before I would be able to go out fully on the trapeze any way, so hiking out is more than adequate!

If the mast breaks blame laser.  The Vago's designed and advertised for single hand trapezing (and I don't see a weight limit specced) so if you break a mast you're doing everyone a favour by forcing laser / selden to redesign it!!!!!

That little moulded seat / step.  Does it have any grip?  I'd assumed it was for nervous kids and mums to sit on when being taken for a cruise.

......... ach but forget all that, I just followed

http://laser3000.lasersailing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5 93

want one .... now. 

Originally posted by NickA Sumo .... or anyone .... have you single handed your Vago from the wire yet? (and if not why not!).   What's it like to step out of - I can't see from the brochure pics what on earth you'd brace your feet on.   Strangely, the man in the brochure is using a tiny tiller extension, which isn't the best of adverts and does make me wonder how much laser are committed to the Vago's singlehandableness.. The laser 3k is spot on for single hand trapezing with those ridges in the deck.  My laser 2 requires a leap of faith (and a foot on the main sheet block mounting). PS: my old l2 also has a straight mast and the gust response of a barn door - but the Vago's looks more flexible - should help make up for no taper??

I've sailed my Vago singlehanded, although I haven't trapezed, as I don't want to break the mast! The Vago has a step moduled in each side of the cockpit at the front for going out on the wire, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I had a look at the Vandercraft built 3000 at the show and they have addressed one of my major gripes, namely a lack of space, by changing to a gnav and switching to rear sheeting from the boom. Looks like a major step forward for the 3000.

My experience is pretty limited on the Dart 16 (the only cat I've sailed, and that only 3 times) but they seem to use loads of rig tension, with the leeward shroud going pretty floppy in a breeze due to the power in the rig. If I'm being stupid please tell me, but how does the mast know the difference between someone on a trapeze and a shroud? The angle's slightly different but the weight on the trapeze should just unload the windward shroud, so unless you managed to start bending the mast back and loading up the leeward shroud I can't see there being a problem, which suggests the mast was dodgy. Another instructor I was talking to about cats reckoned the Dart had about 2 tons of pressure on its forestay (could be completley wrong, seems pretty high to me) but I doubt with that much rig tension you're going to totally unload the windward shroud. I'm tired so if I'm being stupid please tell me!

Originally posted by Sumo The mast was brand new and it folded like a toilet tube about one third up, i.e. mid point between the bottom and the shrouds, so classic compression loading!

The pressure in the sails defines the trapezing moment that can be applied for a dinghy (although it will be subtley different for a cat). Can the 3000/Vago sail area generate enough force to take 21 stone trapezing worth of righting moment? Is the large weight trapezing close in the problem? I'm trying to picture a vector diagram .....