Choosing your trapeze harness
A trapeze harness connects the body to the trapeze wire. It transfers the load from the pelvis and back to the hook throughout sailing. Here are 5 points to check before choosing a model suited to your boat and your style of sailing.
1. Bar height and adjustment
The position of the hook influences your posture on the trapeze. A lower bar facilitates body extension in dinghies and sports catamarans, while a higher bar brings the pull point closer to your center of gravity. Some harnesses allow you to modify the height and width of the bar using straps, such as the Vaikobi Torque trapeze harness. Check that the adjustment remains accessible once the harness is on.
Vaikobi Torque trapeze harness
2. Lumbar support
Your back supports the load when you are in extension. Hardshell or back-battened harnesses distribute this load over a larger surface area. The WIP EXO HARNESS 3.0 covers the area from the tailbone to the shoulders, the WIP PRO HARNESS 2.0 + LUMBAR adds a removable lumbar belt, and the Magic Marine Wing Harness comes with removable battens to adjust stiffness.
WIP EXO HARNESS 3.0 trapeze harness
3. Hook release system
In the event of a capsize or getting stuck under the sail, it must be possible to unhook quickly. Quick-release spreader bars allow you to release the hook by pulling a handle. These are featured on, for example, the Pro Racing Harness CE and the Smart Harness CE from Magic Marine. They are also available as spare parts: Quick Release Spreader bar, RACE BAR EXO/PRO, or RACE BAR LIGHT from WIP.
Magic Marine Pro Racing Harness CE trapeze harness
4. Weight and ease of putting on
A lightweight and low-profile harness goes unnoticed when moving around the boat. A strap system that doesn't need to be undone every time you put it on saves time on shore. The Wing Harness can be taken off and put on without undoing the straps, and the Smart Harness uses pre-shaped shoulder straps that follow your silhouette.
Magic Marine Wing Harness trapeze harness
5. Size, fit, and maintenance
The harness should stay in place without riding up under your arms when you are in extension. Consult the brand's size guide (WIP, Magic Marine, Vaikobi) and try it on over your wetsuit if possible. Rinse it with fresh water after each outing and regularly check the hook for wear, which can be replaced, for example, with the Quick Release Spreader Replacement Hook.
Quick Release replacement trapeze hook
Find all models in our trapeze harness collection.