Trapeze shock cord length for '74 Hobie 16'

I have a '74 Hobie 16 and worked to replace all of the rigging. She's ready to sail. The trapeze shock cord that came with the rigging kit is too long by a couple feet I would estimate. I've read that the '74 trap wires may be longer than older versions. Is this the problem? Should I cut one of the cord ends to shorten to the appropriate length? How should I estimate the appropriate length??

P.F. Hickey
Spicer, MN

My '84 H16 shock cord is 7 feet long. It ties to one trapeze, goes under the trampoline and ties to the other trapeze.

Greg 1984 H16 Tequila Sunrise

Rig the boat.
Tie the shock cord to the trap lines, tension the line so it is just snug (trap wires not flopping around).
Cut off excess.

Note that the trap lines will be looser until you setup the jib and tension the jib halyard. So you need to set the trap lengths and the shock cord length with the jib up, otherwise the traps will be too high and the shock cord too tight once the mast is pulled forward by the jib.

sm

Which trap rigging kit? If you are using the deluxe system which zigzags the shock cord from one trap to the diagonally opposite trap, I have found that the cord in the kit is actually too short.

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'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
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