Restraining Lines

Make it off the transom instead of the rear beam because that is likely to be too far forward in a blow.

I dont use a line, I use a footstrap.

Trapping downwind is just a fad. <img src=

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I don't do it at all.

I would go a long with Robi. If you're sailing solo then chicken lines (restraining lines) are a complete waste of time as we only have one pair of hands. However, they are good if you sail two up but toe straps are probably the most convenient and safest option. If you do decide on chicken lines first cut the 4-5mm line to the desired length and fasten from the top rudder fitting on your transome to a hook which clips onto either your trap line or harness. Put a small pulley on this line prior to fixing one end. Then feed a bungee through you rear beam to the pulley and this will take up the slack in the chicken line whilst not in use. You will need end caps on your rear beams with hole drilled big enough to allow the pulley to pass through but not big enough to allow the hook from disappearing down the rear beam. In the attached photo of a tank you can make out the hook protruding from the rear beam but unfortunately you can't see the line tied off at the rudder pintle fitting.

The problem with just using foot straps...they do little to stop the forward swing and can actually lead to a badly twisted foot. They really just help keep your foot on the hull during wave slaps.

We use a

crew retainer

on the Tornado. The line is anchored at the upper rudder gudgeon and lead forward along the gunwale with a hook attached. A shock cord is also tied to the hook and goes all the way to the shroud chain plate, around a turning block, inboard & under the tramp to the far side...gives lots of stretch. I put black plastic hobie-style trapeze adjuters on the line so that we can easily adjust the length of the line while on the wire. This allows it's use during beam reaching and also downwind, so crew can be forward or aft of the rear beam.

I've tried to make a beam slack sucker but haven't found a reliable way to make a pulley pass through the hole in the end cap.

I highly recommend a setup like this...esp in distance racing in rough water. Our butts have been saved numerous times due soley to the line keeping the weight aft during bow stuffs.

Agree with Mark that there is no point with lines. EXCEPT I have added them for a long distance race where you can be on one tack for an hour or so. Thus it MIGHT be worh hocking in to a line then. Not tried it as it's never been windy enough to warrant it.....

Whilst crewing on the F18 (pictured) Those chicken lines did save me/us whilst doing the Round the Isle of Wight race. I'll never ever forget the 20 mile beat on port tack from St Cathrines Head to the Needles in a force six and then the bear away at the Needles to run up the West Solent. At that time I would have been more than happy just to carry on beating to Bournmouth!! But we had to bear away. We aborted the first attempt due to the speed freaking us out but we managed it on the second attempt to go from beating to running without stuffing the bows in. The chicken line I was attached too definitely did it's job during this manoeuvre and saved me from going round the forestay. We didn't bother putting the kite up for the 18 or so mile run up the Solent. We managed to pithpole in front of the QE 2 (I went through the mainsail) and had to miss the last mark of the course avoiding being run over. A ninety mile (8 hour) race ruined within 500m of the finish line. GUTTED
P.S I'll only ever go a round the Needles again sailing on something like this:

Mark,

B+Q is for sale at present.

I wonder.............

Thanks for the response guys it should help me out quite a bit.

Mark,

Why wouldn't you tie a loop in the end and then clip it onto your trap harness? As that way you can be hand's free but still be attached to the line.

Only time I feel you might need them is downhill when the kite is up. Don't have many free hands then.

If you're racing solo around the cans, when you go around the windward mark or just after a gybe fussing around with a chicken line with your hands could cost you at least one boat length due to the kite not pulling. Multiply that by 4-5 windward mark roundings 12-15 gybes then that's in the region of 20 boat lengths wasted in one race. Therefore I think toe straps are probably better in this scenario

Once you capsize hooked into a chicken line, you will understand why it is not good on the F16.

Once you have tried getting hooked into one you will understand why its such a pain in the butt.

Give it a shot, try it. Eventually you will agree that its more of a pain than a good thing.

Now if you are distance racing and you have a guaranteed long downwind run go for it, if not im saying dont do it but because of bad experiences in the past.

It works great on bigger boats, not much on the F16.

Ok so it sounds like the general consensus is that restraining lines are a bit of a waste for racing around the cans but might be worth thinking about for long distance downwind work. Thanks for the advice.

they worked well on my 6.0 for a distance race through some serious chop. I think they would be great to have on the f16 for a distance event especially with chop because I don't think I can get the bow up enough on the blade unless I am trapped out. The line would definately need to go to the transom though. If I did the RTI in FWB on the blade I would definately put them on... but even with one I don't think I would last very long (esp since I am not up to standard like I was before I moved).

Hi Chris,

good to see from your Avatar and hear from your enquiry, that you are interested in Spinnaker sailing. I assume that you sail from Port Melbourne from your sign off. Where you one of the Taipans sailing with out spin when I was there the other week? I was sorry I didn't have time to hang around and have a chat to the locals.

I have never used a chicken line, but correctly adjusted foot straps (should be called Toe Straps, because that is all you should have in them) are a must. Agree with others around a course like PMYC you would never have time for chicken line. Just getting on and off trap with each gybe takes long enough, important to gybe as little as possible one up, means you have to get the lay lines right. <img src=

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Hi Gary,

Yes I sail at Port Melbourne. I am in the middle of putting a spin system onto my Taipan and have bought all the components but are just trying to find some time to put it all together.

The avatar is from the last Taipan i sailed in Shanghai, China. This one did have Restraining lines which got me wondering if i should add them to this boat.

By the way what part of the lakes are you sailing at?

I used to use foot straps on my 18sq but now with my new low center of gravity (fat butt) I may not put trap wires on the A-Cat!

Hi Chris,

I sail from Gippsland lakes Y.C. at Paynesville when I am at home.