Length of the trap wires?

OK, I have been trying to trap out on my H16, and it never feels as 'right' as it did on the H18 that I learned on. While trying it again last weekend, without one hull up a foot or two out of the water, there is no way that I can keep myself from touching the water. (although I was able to ride like that for quite a while and it was very refreshing on a hot summers day!)

I have the dogbones adjusted all the way up. So I started looking at my trap wires and the loop at the bottom reaches to within a few inches of the side rails. Is that normal? Or are they about a foot too long?

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Steve
1979 Hobie 16 "Orange Crusher"
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795

Not sure about the wire itself, but when I trap I have my ring/ding set about 8" from the rail. BTW - I am about 190lbs, and I feel like weight is a factor. FWIW

Skipper

That sounds like its way too low. Mine are about 20" off the rail, the rest of the distance is made up with a rope thats adjustable with a rubber stopper.
Are your trap wires hooked onto the same shackle as you forestay and shrouds?? They should be on a separate shackle above those if they're not already. Stock trap wires? sounds like they could be H18 trap wires or something?? Pics?
Tim

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Tim Grover

Memphis, TN fleet 134
Hobie 20! G-Cat5.0 and 2 Hobie 14's
Photobucket now wants $100 to post pics on forums......... pass.

The part that you hook into, whether it be a dogbone or a Can't Miss ring, should just touch the sidebar when fully extended - a bit higher if you're just learning.

Maybe your harness is too loose?

My experience is similar to fxloop - on my boat, the end/eye of the wire line is much higher off the rail where you put your feet or sit. the rope with rubber stopper allows adjustment down from that.

Thanks guys, I think you have all confirmed what I had suspected. I will take a picture next time I am out at the cottage. It seems like if i hooked into the thimble at the end of the trap wire it would be about the right height. Are there any serious downsides to doing this on a temporary basis? Ovbiously I couldn't cut myself free in an emergency, but I don't carry a knife in my life vest anyway.

The trap wires are tied into the proper holes on the mast tang, according to the manual. I did add more mast rake, which might effect it a little.

For the past 3 years I have just used one of the tiny 6" bungies to tie them to the base of the mast shrowd attach point on the hulls and not thought too much about it. This kept them out of the way when I wasn't using them.

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Steve
1979 Hobie 16 "Orange Crusher"
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795

That's how the original (early '70s) Hobie 16 trapezes worked - but the thimble was much larger than it is now.

The wires got shortened when the adjustable system was developed.

Standard height of the fixed handle is 32" above the rail. Handles higher are hard to reach when out. Low handles are harder to lift your weight onto the boat.

Position of the thimble is irrelevant when using adjustable ropes and dog bones.

Like Matt Bounds said... adjust the dog bones to just touch the rail where YOU trap from. That is with a snug fitting harness and a tight rig. That is a good starting point. If your harness is loose... raise the dog bone.

You "should" trapeze near level with the rail your feet are on for best hiking leverage. Higher for chop and recreational comfort. You should not have to lift your weight off the rail to get the harness hooked into the trap system. That can cause you to swing in past your rail and capsize.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

OK, thanks everyone. I am going back out there this weekend and will take a look at it on land and take some measurements. It sure took me by surprise when I put my weight into it and sat down in the water, fell off the rail and drug alongside (still steering!) and had to crawl back up still attached to the wire!.

Too bad the temps here have taken such a drop. I may try to go out anyway, as the water is warm.

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Steve
1979 Hobie 16 "Orange Crusher"
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795