There's a plastic rope lock on my trapeze wires used to adjust the trap height. When hiked out, these little locks are essentially supporting my weight. I am not a fan of them, I must have mis-installed one of them and when out on the wire, it slipped and dumped me in the water. So, a two part question...is there a guide to show proper installation of these suckers? And secondly, is there a more secure way to adjust the trap height?
The only place online that I can find that sells these things is Murray's. They have a picture of one that is properly rigged: 
As for other secure means of holding, I use the double overhand stopper knot. http://www.animatedknots.com/doubleoverhand/index.php
You must have them installed wrong, I have never seen them slip. They call for 2 turns, but even with one they are bulletproof. Should look like this;
Note difference between the top & bottom ends. You want line led so that what shows at teh top end comes into contact with the block when you hike out. If it is the other way you will wear the line.
Edited by Edchris177 on Jun 17, 2012 - 07:40 PM.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
they do break and should be inspected for UV damage and wear every now and again
MN3
I've heard them called dogbones and yes, they do break. I had one break 2 weekends in a row (different ones). First time I was trapped out skippering and my buddy was trapped out too. His broke and it was man overboard. The second time I was out on the wire and my buddy was driving. Man overboard again.
If you're lucky enough not to loose the hook in ring then you can just tie a bowline around the block to the right height and continue on.
If you want to get fancy since you're replacing parts already you can convert it to an on-the-wire adjustable rig with a v-jam block or a clam cleat.
Clam Cleat:
V-Jam Block
V-Jam rigging:
Edited by kraven on Jun 18, 2012 - 05:45 AM.
"dog bones" refer to the metal double ended ring - 
.
MN3
they do break and should be inspected for UV damage and wear every now and again
Yes, quite correct Andrew, I have had one break. What I meant by bulletproof, was the issue of slipping. I have never seen them slip if the line is run as shown.
V-Jam rigging:
Isn't that a waste of the double fiddle block?
By using one sheave to dead end the line, you have wasted that sheave.Edited by Edchris177 on Jun 19, 2012 - 07:09 AM.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
Edchris177 wrote: ]V-Jam rigging:
Isn't that a waste of the double fiddle block?
By using one sheave to dead end the line, you have wasted that sheave.Edited by Edchris177 on Jun 19, 2012 - 07:09 AM.
That's the contents of the Hobie adjustable trapeze kit so maybe they have some reasoning for it. But yeah, you could probably go cheaper with this single sheave Ronstan V-Jam
You could also switch the single block for a block with a becket. Then you could utilize that second sheave and get 3:1 instead of 2:1.
I've trapped on boats with the Hobie system and the clam cleat setup and prefer the clam cleat.
Edited by kraven on Jun 19, 2012 - 07:33 AM.
Haven't had the chance to try the clam cleat. I use the Harken fiddle, but the other block has a becket, allowing the use of both sheaves in the jam block. The additional purchase makes for 1 handed adjustment while on the wire, with tiller & main sheet in the other hand.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
Yes, quite correct Andrew, I have had one break. What I meant by bulletproof, was the issue of slipping. I have never seen them slip if the line is run as shown.
did ya get t-bagged?
the worst for me was when my "Can't Miss" handle broke. I was in the gulf, no one around ... I fell in, held the main until she capsized.. and couldn't self right it (with murray's bag) ... and waited about 30 min for a kind jet skier to stop and help
MN3
i use the clam cleat, they are great but you can't see the insides of the roller sheeve (when they are gonna fail)
reminds me i need to replace mine...
MN3
did ya get t-bagged?
Not that lucky. I hooked up, pushed out... and just kept going. I don't know how, but the hook popped out when the biscuit broke. I did a backwards swan dive, the boat flipped. Luckily the mast dug in & tried to turtle as the wind drove it. I swam to the boat as it slowly pivoted around the mast tip, which had hit bottom & was in the mud.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
did a backwards swan dive, the boat flipped
to bad you didnt get this on video 🙂
MN3
After a failure of a rope lock I have been doubling them. Just put 2 back to back and put the rope through both. I assisted a Hobie dealer put together a new Hobie Tiger shortly after they first came out and noticed that the rope locks that came with the boat were about twice the size as the ones on a 16. Thats when I decided to double mine, the others were not available then, they may be now.
This just happened again on my N5.7, using the Schaefer fiddle block with jam cleat. The plastic biscuit broke.
Cost of parts now sleeping with the fish...about $15
Loss of two good German Beers...$4
Hearing that "phhtthwack" noise, & watching my buddy get ejected as it let go, all the while trying to save his cerveza...priceless.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
Edchris177 wrote: This just happened again on my N5.7, using the Schaefer fiddle block with jam cleat. The plastic biscuit broke.
Cost of parts now sleeping with the fish...about $15
Loss of two good German Beers...$4
Hearing that "phhtthwack" noise, & watching my buddy get ejected as it let go, all the while trying to save his cerveza...priceless.
I am sorry to hear about your loss (beer)
MN3
The loss was even more painful as those were the last onboard, the day was sweltering, & we were not in Home Bay.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
what is "sweltering" in canda? 78*(f) ? 🙂
MN3
HA HA...early in the season 78F would be normal. Last week end it was in the 90's, humidity 80%, much like your area.
Being further north the sun is not as intense as where you are though.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
HA HA...early in the season 78F would be normal. Last week end it was in the 90's, humidity 80%, much like your area.
close ... but it's in the 80's by 8am and 5000% humidity.. we haven't figured out how it's above 100% but i think it has something to do with quantum physics
MN3
MN3 wrote:
HA HA...early in the season 78F would be normal. Last week end it was in the 90's, humidity 80%, much like your area.
close ... but it's in the 80's by 8am and 5000% humidity.. we haven't figured out how it's above 100% but i think it has something to do with quantum physics
It's a provision of the Healthcare Law
ETA: Our Lows have been in the 80's here, at least we're getting rain this year. Last month I got more rain in 8 days than I did last year.
Edited by presto99 on Aug 06, 2012 - 02:10 PM.
I remember well the first time I was in Houston. Late arrival, slept in til 10, got up opened the curtains, & thought, damn, it's raining...but if it's raining, how come I see blue sky?
Then it dawned on me. It was a clear day, BUT, the air-conditioning in the hotel was cooling the window panes a few degrees. With the outside air at 90% humidity, it only needed to be cooled a few degrees to reach the condensation level. The windows were that few degrees cooler, & water was streaming down.
We went for a tour of the Astro Dome, they told us there is a very sophisticated climate control system to prevent rain showers in the building.
You guys have some hot sticky weather, we're just weenies up here, north of the 49th.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation