In part one of his Trapezing Techniques series, 49er sailor Simon Hiscocks took us back to basics by reviewing the equipment necessary for a successful trapezing crew and touched on the basic principles of trapezing.
In this piece Simon explains the different power modes for trapezing and how to set yourself up to achieve the best possible position for the conditions.
Part Two Hitting the water on the wire
Firstly, each person s role in the boat must be established. In a single wire boat such as a 29er the crew will be responsible for 90% of boat balance. In a twin trapeze boat such as the 49er, I14 or RS 800, the helm and crew must decide on their responsibilities. This might be shared or it may be that one person has a greater responsibility.
There are three basic modes for the trapeze artist:
Low power This is much the same as in any non- trapeze boat. There is not enough power available to trapeze. The skills and techniques do not really differ to that of a non-trapeze boat, so this mode is largely irrelevant to this article except to remember to keep your harness on!
Medium power There is not enough wind to stay on the wire all the time, the crew will need to move in and out as the power in the sails changes. In this mode the crew will play a vital role in balancing the boat. Good boat balance equals good boat speed.
High power There is excessive wind and the boat will be overpowered. Maximum leverage, good balance and co-ordination are required.
Medium power mode
In most classes the boat should be sailed flat. This will mean the crew will need to move in and out as the wind speed dictates. Delicate movements are required; it is not unlike ballet dancing, so use your toes.
If the wind is steady there will be small changes in crew weight position. Adopting a high trapeze position will bring the crew weight nearer the centreline which will make each movement less critical. This means that the crew can bend or straighten their legs for smaller required changes in weight.
This can work two ways, the crew can respond to smaller gusts and lulls with out large position changes and can make greater body movements with out causing excessive weight changes to the boat.
If the wind is changing significantly, requiring more significant weight changes, Crews may find it more beneficial to trapeze from a lower position so that the gust and lull range can be catered for.
As a rule, if you are spending most of your time with your legs bent then the trapeze height should be higher and if most of the time your legs are straight then the height should be lowered.
In this mode the crew weight can dictate how the boat is steered, remember that leeward heel will cause the boat to head up and windward heel will cause it to bear away, in this manner crew weight can be used to aid steering through wind direction changes and around waves or chop.
Keep a close eye on the wind changes ahead, noting both strength and direction, so that you are ready to adapt the boat trim accordingly.
High power mode
As the wind speed increases the crew will eventually find they are sailing with straight legs all the time. This is when the high power mode kicks in and crews will be looking to have maximum leverage to keep the boat flat.
With strong winds the trapeze height should be set low, but be careful. This mode happens in strong winds which increases the likely hood of waves. Only trapeze as low as the second or third highest wave height, and brace when you hit the highest waves!
Stand tall, on the tips of your toes whilst keeping your shoulders back. Use suitable kinetic s for your class. Movement forward and aft will become important to keep the boat successfully moving over the waves. If the boat goes through the waves, you are too near the front of the boat.
In reality, crews should constantly be adjusting the height of their trapeze as there will be a fair cross over between each mode during any particular day, race or even leg. The modes will be different for a given wind speed on each point of sail. For example a broad reach will, in all but the strongest of winds, be in medium power mode, whilst the run in a conventional boat will be in low power mode.
Check back in next week for the final instalment of Simon s Trapezing Techniques, where he talks about looking the part, improving your game and lays out some practice drills to help you cross the finish line in winning style.