Can someone explain why..

You can't have a boat that either hikes or trapezes?

As I see it, you bust your nuts and screw your knees when you could in
exactly the same position take the weight on a wire instead, without
having to go the whole right out there hog.

And surely a combo would work as a sort of trap trainer which could filter
folk into the MPS and 700 world.

The number of folk I've spoken to that privately totally sympathise with
the fact that being a working type I don't have the time to devote to 700's
and MPS's yet like me yearn for the thrills and even a little of the spills,
but without the total frustration that can occur.

There must be more like me, or is it just an impossible design brief?

I'm happy happy that RS have gone out there and produced a new hiker,
but I just wonder if something like that could be made to trapeze as well..

The RS800 tried this, had single or twin trap versions when launched.  The racks were pushed out further for the single trap so that leaverage was the same and boats in both set ups could race against eachother.  In the end everyone went for the twin trap, as most helms liked the idea of not hiking and It was faster in the corners (shorter distance to travel).  The 800 single trap version was rebranded as a seperate sub-class at one point, but that died on its arse and is no more. 

GRF its an impossible dream.

If its got a trapeze the power required to take the increased leverage generally makes the boat a bit powerful and therefore too difficult for people with limited ability
If you put a smaller rig on it then there is no point fitting it with a trapeze or some lightweight 4yr old kid will come along trapeze in a zephyr and then you'll complain when he beats you every weekend.

I have to say I really dont understand the argument about not being able to sail a 700/MPS without significant time in the boat or training. The 700 is no harder than a 600 and many years ago loads of us jumped from Lasers to 600s, and ok it took us a few months to get around the course in 15kts without a swim but most of us got there in the end. Now when I say "us" I mean average club sailors who have normal jobs to attend during the week. Yes you improve quicker if you have more time to spend in the boat but I'd bet that more than half of all the 700s/MPSs are sailed only on the weekends in club racing, thats about 200 sailors who dont go to all the opens and training sessions and yet seem to be coping with the boat. If you then factor in all the kids screaming around in 600s you can probably double the figure.

I think the hardest thing to get over when learning to sail a 700 or MPS is your own sailing history. Its very difficult to let go of habits you've developed on other boats and these high performance singlehanders dont give much room for old habits!

While its relatively easy to make a performance two man boat for the masses, I think finding a performance singlehander for the masses will be a struggle. Without a crew you are always going to have to be a little more nimble and if you factor that in with single-sail handling with a large mainsail, you will always need to be in charge of the boat, not it in charge of you.
In heavy airs even a topper or laser can be a bi*ch to tack so it stands to reason that if you have an even larger sail things are just going to get progresively harder.

If I were you I'd keep on playing with your Alto, try to secure the services of your prospective helm for the rest of the year. While doing that, have a go in the 100, I'm sure Nick will let you! and consider your options towards the boat show time of year.

Originally posted by MRJP BUZZ 585 I may be wrong but i think he is talking about hiking but attached to a wire so it doesn't hurt

Is that what the Star crews have?  still looks like they are giving it hell mind!

I say stop complaining and just get on a learn to sail something. If you got a Musto and stuck at it eventually you'll be able to sail it.