Getting Out on the Wire Check that the skipper is ready for the crew to go on the trapeze, and that there is enough wind to keep the crew suspended above the water. In general, the sailboat should be overpowered by the wind and heeling before the crew starts trapping. The skipper will want to sail with the mainsail eased a little while the crew gets set up on the wire and then will trim as their weight goes outboard.
To start, hook up and begin trapping off of the hiking strap, or centerboard trunk, keeping constant pressure on the hook. This will allow you to get used to the feeling of pressure of the harness while not being out over the water. Putting weight and confidence in the trap wire takes a committed step. You have to trust that it will support you, and it will.
Trapezing Techniques: Going Out 1 Jib sheet in aft hand, grasp handle with forward hand 2 Bring front foot upon rail near shroud 3 Bring aft foot up to rail 4 Slip trapeze ring into harness hook with jib sheet hand 5 Extend legs (often the back leg helps with getting in and out
Trapezing Techniques: On the Wire E Keep weight on forward leg E Forward leg straight and aft leg slightly bent E Feet shoulder width apart E Back straight E Arms rest on body E Jib or spin sheets in one hand
Once the sailboat settles into a groove, make only minor adjustments with your weight as needed. Skippers usually prefer to make adjustments for heeling with the mainsheet, rather than the crew changing their position while out on the trap. When weight is shifted out or in dramatically on the trap, it impacts the steering of the boat significantly. The crew may also opt to have their front foot pointing forward with their toes pointing at the bow. This gives more surface area for their front foot and will help the crew balance through waves. The crew’s back should be straight like a board, not arched in or out, with shoulders down, and head back to extend as far outboard as possible.
Trapezing Techniques: Coming In 1 Raise trapeze so that the trapeze ring is only about a foot below the trapeze wire cleat
2 Grasp handle with forward hand 3 Bend front leg and extend back leg into the boat to swing body down onto rail 4 Lift hips to pop the trapeze ring out of the harness hook and with jib sheets or spin sheets in hand
Note: More experienced crews learn to do this while they are moving into the boat in one fluid motion into the boat for one fluid motion.
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