trapeze harness
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1725
Printed Date: 15 Aug 25 at 7:03pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: trapeze harness
Posted By: micmac37
Subject: trapeze harness
Date Posted: 05 May 06 at 9:19pm
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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 ------------- Sail well Feel Swell |
Replies:
Posted By: m_liddell
Date Posted: 05 May 06 at 10:37pm
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I got the crewsaver adjustable nappy harness after a lot of looking/trying and I love it
Adjustable as well as having nothing to catch on it at all. It also has the quick release hook. A bit more expensive than some others but I highly recommend it. Give magic marine's skiff line a look too. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 05 May 06 at 10:58pm
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Ive a made to measure skiff style harness (as have quite a few people i know) and ive never heard a complaint yet! As for the hook being far from the body, im not sure that there's any specific benefit yet there is also certainly nothing Wrong with it. The reason i have some give in mine is so that i can fit anything from my 1mm neoprene shorts up to my drysuit (and wooly bear) inside. Also i leave me shoulder adjustment loose too as its quite simply just comfortable. I'm more than likely going to get some contrary comments to what im about to say but i really dont see any benefit in crouching your body up so that you can really crank on the shoulder strap. I used to do that when i started trapezing but now leave it loose. As for what harness to get, ive never heard any complaints from either the made to measure skiff style harness's OR the windsurfing/kite surfing style harness's. Best plan of action is just to try and borrow as many different types of harness as you can. And also when you do get your own harness, ALWAYS take off the small peice of rubber on the hook plate that supposedly is there to stop the trapeze ring falling out.......bad bad plan!! I hope thats of some help. Doug |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 05 May 06 at 10:59pm
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If you don't intend to change weight then a made to messure nappy
harness is best. lighter with more flexability and nothing at all to catch on stuff. Having said that I can't get into my Batt made to meassure anymore!!!!!!!!  So i am using a Magic Marine SKIFF harness. It's good
and comfy and I can into it. But i have had to mod it so the adjustment buckels don't lossen. This is a common problem with adjustable harness, which is why some people end up going for a nappy with rope adjustment. But you still have the issue of catchability on things. at the end of the day made to meassure is best but just don't put on any weight!! ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: timnoyce
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 10:15am
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I have the same harness as Mr Liddell and i've yet to find a problem with it. I like the fact that it is adjustable yet you can still zip the sides over to cover up all the buckles so it never gets caught on anything. I looked at getting one of the made to measure ones but I wasn't sure about it as the difference between just wearing boardies in the summer and then full steamer etc in the summer is quite a lot of thickness. I've never used one so don't take my word for it! As far as the nappy vs strappy goes for 'man area' pain I think it must be down to how you are put together and how you arrange yourself!! I have always used a nappy because i find it more comfortable (think the increased surface area helps to spread the load!) and i have had some serious incidents with the strap ones (for one, the straps come either side and leave your manhood unprotected and if u leap onto the dagger board and miss you are in trouble.... BIG trouble  )Just my thoughts on the matter anyway  ------------- http://www.facebook.com/bearfootdesign - BEARFOOT DESIGN Cherub 2648 - Comfortably Numb |
Posted By: timnoyce
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 10:17am
ah also... if you are ever in the position of wanting to take a friend sailing and they need a harness, its much easier with an adjustable one as there is some chance of making it fit them! Just depends how selfish you are with your kit! 
------------- http://www.facebook.com/bearfootdesign - BEARFOOT DESIGN Cherub 2648 - Comfortably Numb |
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 11:12am
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I have the Magic Marine Skiff harness (ala jack sparrow) and I went for
it specificaly because I could adjust it for lending to
people/different levels of kit but all the straps are covered by velcro
panels so no snagging (yet) It was a bit stiff at first but now its worn in is very comfy and its all really a matter of carefull arangement downstairs before you head out to sort the rest out. There is also quite a lot of support in the back which means I can leave the main over-shoulder straps pretty loose as long as im not wiring too low which makes moving around far more comfortable. ------------- |
Posted By: tgruitt
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 3:13pm
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I have the magic marine skiff light harness, its really comfy and so easy to move in, and really light! Have modded the quick release hook slightly do i can actually get the trapeze loop into it (tis a bit stiff without filing some of the retaining plastic away). Has never got caught, have never had to use the quick release, works well though when i tested it. Hope this helps. ------------- Needs to sail more... |
Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 4:21pm
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i have a banks pro skiff harness the one with no adjustmant just the over shoulder straps and i find it reall comfy best harness i've had so far by a long way ------------- |
Posted By: BBSCFaithfull
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 8:00pm
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When i crew occasionaly i use luke's adjustable gill harness. But after a while it does seem to be on a one way mission to give me an on water virsectomy. I've often wondered what a windsurfer harness would be like? ------------- Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
Posted By: Black no sugar
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 8:06pm
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That's only because Luke's harness is too small for you! (I'm talking midriff and spare tyres there before you get carried away! (j/k Alex, you're gooo-oooooooo-ooooooo-ooorgeous xxxxx ------------- http://www.lancingsc.org.uk/index.html - Lancing SC 
|
) Face it, you can't spend more than half and hour without eating something... Even at 16, even at 6ft2'', it takes its toll after a while... 
Posted By: BBSCFaithfull
Date Posted: 06 May 06 at 8:11pm
In my defence i hadn't had breakfast and its not my fault my food is free lol. Also it tastes sooo gd. N thanks BNS  . And by the way im not chubby, luke is hee hee.
------------- Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 07 May 06 at 12:43am
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Rush made to measure; the only way to go ------------- |
Posted By: Strawberry
Date Posted: 07 May 06 at 11:14am
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Rick, have you got a link for Rush? http://www.rushsails.co.uk - http://www.rushsails.co.uk seem's to be a bum link. ------------- Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry |
Posted By: les5269
Date Posted: 07 May 06 at 7:11pm
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I use a Pinnal & Bax nappy harness and it's excellent.I've had it about 6 years and never had a problem with it I've just had the bottom section re-done so hopefully it'll do another 6 years (if I don't put on any more weight !) ------------- 49er 531 & 5000 5025 and a mirror(now gone to mirror heaven)! http://www.grafham.org/" rel="nofollow - Grafham water Sailing Club The greatest inland sailing in the country |
Posted By: bovlike
Date Posted: 08 May 06 at 2:36pm
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I have an RMW nappy harness. Best I have ever had http://www.rmwmarine.com - www.rmwmarine.com
------------- Ian (Bov) Turnbull 18ft Skiff Ronstan UK http://www.ianturnbullmarine.co.uk - Chandlery, tapered ropes and specialist solutions for sailors who demand the best - BovBoats.co.uk |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 08 May 06 at 2:42pm
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The Rush/P&B and RMW nappy harnesses all look pretty similar. I have a P&B made to measure from my Furballing days. Still fits me now (oh how trim I must be).... ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: MRJP BUZZ 585
Date Posted: 08 May 06 at 4:04pm
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MAGIC MARINE LIGHT SKIFF SEEMS GOOD AND IT WILL ACCOMADATE FOR A BIG RANGE OF PEOPLE
------------- Josh Preater http://www.bu22.co.uk"> BUZZING IS FUN
|
Posted By: tgruitt
Date Posted: 08 May 06 at 5:17pm
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YES THEY ARE!!!
------------- Needs to sail more... |
Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 08 May 06 at 8:11pm
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I, on the other hand have a Magic Marine "Smart" harness which is covered in adjustable straps. Super adjustable, great for lending to kids and mates and useful for teenages who keep on growing, but not terribly comfortable... and there's either a lot of tucking in to do or always a strap in front of the hook when you want to hook in. My younger kids have a Crewsaver nappy type with just one v-strap over the shoulders and a single buckle. £20 quid second hand. Works fine. Get a nappy harness or get tangled I think. |
Posted By: Strawberry
Date Posted: 08 May 06 at 10:03pm
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I was going to buy a new harness as mine is very strappy. Then I realised how much cheaper it would be to put a rashie over the top. ------------- Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry |
Posted By: timnoyce
Date Posted: 08 May 06 at 11:31pm
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I think that something like http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7240481123&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1 - THIS should be perfect.
------------- http://www.facebook.com/bearfootdesign - BEARFOOT DESIGN Cherub 2648 - Comfortably Numb |