New RS600-Newbie questions

   Dear all,My first ever 600 is arriving on Saturday, and needless to say, I'm very excited. As this is my first 600, and, indeed, my first time ever on a skiff, I have a few newbie questions.

1. Insurance: I live in Dublin so I don't have the option of insuring the boat with Noble. I've been considering Craftinsure. I know Craftinsure trade in the UK as well. Does anyone have any experience of this company?

2. Safety while trapezing: So I'm going to do all the basics; I'm going to attach a mast head float, invest in a decent knife, and only sail with harnesses equipped with quick release hooks. Is there anything further I could do to prevent against entrapment? Also, where on your person do you keep your knives? How do you secure them?

3. Protecting the boat from the trapeze hook: I'm anticipating a lot of climbing on top of the dagger board and scrambling over the transom/racks in the next few months. Is there any way to prevent harness hook from damaging the hull?

Many thanks for your help. Can't wait to get on the water.

Best,
Peter

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dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Topic: New RS600-Newbie questions Posted: 22 Oct 13 at 7:08pm
	Dear all, My first ever 600 is arriving on Saturday, and needless to say, I'm very excited. As this is my first 600, and, indeed, my first time ever on a skiff, I have a few newbie questions. 1. Insurance: I live in Dublin so I don't have the option of insuring the boat with Noble. I've been considering Craftinsure. I know Craftinsure trade in the UK as well. Does anyone have any experience of this company? 2. Safety while trapezing: So I'm going to do all the basics; I'm going to attach a mast head float, invest in a decent knife, and only sail with harnesses equipped with quick release hooks. Is there anything further I could do to prevent against entrapment? Also, where on your person do you keep your knives? How do you secure them? 3. Protecting the boat from the trapeze hook: I'm anticipating a lot of climbing on top of the dagger board and scrambling over the transom/racks in the next few months. Is there any way to prevent harness hook from damaging the hull? Many thanks for your help. Can't wait to get on the water. Best, Peter

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Oct 13 at 7:30pm
	I wouldn't bother with the qr trapeze harness, there is nothing to snag on the 600. Mast head float is a reasonable idea, and knife is only really worth it if you have rope trapeze lines. I don't know if you can get insurance from towergate mardon (formally RED) but they are very good over here. As for capsizing, most will be on tacks and gybes. If you can't get straight over the wing (should be your aim) then step on the boom and mast and step over the hull onto the board. If you have to climb onto the board only climb over the leading edge, do not try and get on over the trailing edge, you'll catch your hook and take a chunk out of the board. When righting the boat hold the gunwhale not the wing, you will get more leverage. If on narrow wings you can climb over the wing. If wide, then go through the gap. You will struggle to tack, I guarantee it. More Cunningham makes tacking easy. If you are still struggling pull more on. Have fun and enjoy the swimming!

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Oct 13 at 7:56pm
	Thanks craiggo; that's really helpful. Could you clarify what is meant by 'trailing edge' and 'leading edge'? I've heard the horror stories about the 600 and tacking. I have the modest aim of being able to get through 50% of my tacks by the end of the year.

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Oct 13 at 7:58pm
	Leading edge is the front (blunt bit), trailing edge is the back (sharp edge)

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Oct 13 at 8:00pm
	Ah; thanks again!