by Eric Coleman

The purpose of this cruising trapeze is to improve the windward ability of a boat in winds which cause her to be over powered under full sail or when reefed. The device may well save the boat from destruction should you become embayed in very strong winds. In conditions where the mainsail is reefed, the trapeze will enable one reef to be shaken out and this may well double the speed made good to windward. The improvement will be greater with small cabin boats such as the Silhouette or Y.M. Senior than with open dinghies, the latter usually having means of sitting out. The heavy weather windward performance of small cabin boats is not improved by their dumpy proportions, bilge keels and small sail carrying ability. The last item is very important and is due to the relative inefficiency of fixed ballast with a high centre of gravity.

The difference between this cruising trapeze and a racing trapeze is that the angle between the crew and the mast is about 60º instead of 90º as used in the latter type. The 60º angle results in less tension on the wire and a considerable proportion of your weight on your feet. Less tension means less muscular effort (the reduction in righting efficiency is approx. half the reduction in tension) and if the feet carry some weight there is no tendency to float away from the boat if it heels suddenly to windward whilst you are admiring the scenery. There is no need for intense concentration and quick physical action, the main causes of fatigue but I assume that the boat will not capsize if the trapeze is used when at anchor. If your feet slip then you are brought back to the boat quickly. The position is a much drier one than sitting out and keeping dry is important when cruising.

Our dinghy Aurora was fitted with the trapeze when the cabin was added in 1961 because the addition of the cabin meant that we could not sit her out so well. In practice we find that the crew’s weight can still be made effective so the trapeze is not often used. It is, however, a card up our sleeves if we require extra performance in hard winds. The trapeze belt, which is worn round the hips, is a government surplus webbing belt. A proper trapeze belt would be better but costs ten times more. In squally conditions Maureen can stay out for two hours without distress with a maximum of three hours. It is important that the angle is not too small otherwise she will tend to fall forward against the mast when the boat heels too far to leeward. The wire should be adjustable in length until a suitable length is found. Finding the best length may take a season if the boat is masthead rigged and spreaders not too wide, it may be possible to use only one trapeze wire so avoiding unclipping when going about.

Most readers of this article will probably be too dubious to give the cruising trapeze a try out but it does not involve much gear and is easier to use and more comfortable than you might think. On Aurora the lower ends of the trapeze shock cords are fastened to the shroud plates and a dog clip is used on the belt for quick clip-on and release.