Single handed trapeze boats
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14032
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 1:39pm
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Topic: Single handed trapeze boats
Posted By: Rob_H208694619
Subject: Single handed trapeze boats
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 10:01am
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Hi all, I’m looking at entering into the single handed trapeze area. I don’t particularly want a skiff as I sail on a lake that is incredibly gusty.
Ideally I would be looking for something shaped like a 505 but smaller. I don’t mind how much sail there is. I know you can single hand a 420 by moving the mast however I’m put of this as I know they did flex when the mast tension was on preventing the dagger bord form moving. (Is this still an issue with them?) Thank you in advance Robert |
Replies:
Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 11:44am
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I always enjoyed sailing a Contender, though the boom is a bit low during tacks! ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 12:56pm
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A Class Cat Catapult Contender Dart 15 Sport DX 15 Farr 3.7 Musto Skiff RS600 RS700 Shadow Unicorn Vortex A quick list of singlehanded trapeze classes, as far as I can tell... it seems a lot of them are cats!
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Posted By: Sussex Lad
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 1:07pm
Hi Rob  what's your weight? It would make a big difference regarding choice. Personally I wouldn't sail on an incredibly gusty lake with a trapeze boat. (Maybe that's because I'm the wrong side of sixty  ) I'm not saying it can't be done but you would need to be incredibly fast/nimble because you'll be in and out like a fiddlers elbow........It would keep you fit though
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Posted By: Rob_H208694619
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 3:16pm
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I’m normally around 80-85kg
I sail a 505 at the moment however I’m lacking a helm, even on the relatively stable 505 I can be in and out. |
Posted By: Rob_H208694619
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 3:26pm
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Thanks for that,
I forgot to say I wasn’t really looking at cats however the Farr 3.7 is new to me so I will look into that |
Posted By: NicolaJayne
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 8:44pm
| 'lake' and 'gusty' are terms that suggest strongly away from a trapeze single hander |
Posted By: Rob_H208694619
Date Posted: 11 Aug 23 at 11:35pm
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Very true hence asking for advise on a stable one
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Posted By: Old bloke
Date Posted: 12 Aug 23 at 5:11am
| I would have thought that if you can sensibly sail a 505 on your water a single handed trapeze boat would be feasible. The Vortex would be the most stable. Contender is definitely pre "skiff" and nice and heavy.They are notoriously slow in light airs though |
Posted By: Rob_H208694619
Date Posted: 12 Aug 23 at 6:20am
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The contenders looking like the best bet at the moment. I forgot to say in the original posts that I didn’t particularly want a cat.
Thank you though |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 12 Aug 23 at 12:55pm
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Skiff types may well be better in gusty conditions since the rigs tend to be more dynamic. The last thing you need on a gusty lake is an old school tree trunk rig.
My feeling though is that incredibly gusty lake and trapeze singlehander are not concepts that sit together well. It really doesn't matter how stable the boat is - well up to a point anyway - you're still going to come ashore teabagged with aching calves and frustrated because you can never get the damn boat going. Its the frustration that will be the worst bit - rather like having a high performance car or bike and being restricted to 20mph speed limits. |
Posted By: NicolaJayne
Date Posted: 12 Aug 23 at 1:04pm
my thoughts exactly i've not sailed single handed trapeze boat, but, inland waters, barring the super reservoirs ( or very spindly youths in the days of the 405 ) and trapeze boats of any kind are uneasy bedfellows |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 12 Aug 23 at 1:10pm
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The Farr 3.7 is designed for lightweights so at 80-85kg you are probably a bit heavy to get the best out of it. But, like the others I wouldn't consider a trapeze boat for a gusty inland lake*, you'll be at a huge disadvantage on handicap 90% of the time and the windy days will be challenging to say the least. That said it can be done if you are younger/fitter/more skilful than the average sailor. * The only one I'd consider would be the Vortex, it won't be competitive in the handicap fleet but it's stable enough to give an ordinary guy a chance of sailing it to its potential. My Blaze is less than ideal as it only comes into its own in a breeze but at least it's easy and it's nice to sail. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |