Andrew Hannah wrote:Hello Jim,
Sorry. I didn't mean to say getting onto the wire for a run. I meant a tight reach.
Let us suppose you are already on a run, and the NEXT leg of the course is a tight reach. Let us also suppose you have decided to use the trapeze for the reach. Conceivably, one option would be point-up to a close hauled position, hook on, march to the stern of the boat, and then bear away. But you lose places by this procedure.
Is it possible to simply go onto the reach (from the run) without having to go close hauled, first? What is the procedure for hooking on, where the loop is too high, if it is drawn towards the stern?
Being the cautious chap that I am, Andrew, I would go onto the tight reach first, before deciding whether I could manage it on the trapeze. If that's a risk, just ease off the main a bit, or luff a bit if you have room (it won't be by much), until you can safely get on the wire. Once on the wire the bracing of the front leg is the point of your balance and you'll have to keep it pretty stiff to keep your weight back. If you don't you might go forward and dangle on the wire for a bit alongside the boat (another of my Catrix) but nothing much happens and you can usually get back onboard fairly easily.
Charles:
I just put my hand on the beam housing. My front foot is sometimes not close to the shroud. The boat generally steers itself pretty much, because the jib is pulling and balancing the rig. No problems with changing course - it's all swell. "Just go for it!"