Hi Jerry - and Wouter,

Just thought I'd add my 2c to the trapezing discussion:

I came to cat sailing from a monohull background as well and the first cat that I sailed only had one trapeze for the crew so I was on the side hiking with the straps. Consequently I developed the habit of tacking/gybing and subconsiously putting my feet under the straps.

When I graduated to my Taipan 4.9 7 years ago it just seemed natural for me to jump out on the wire (trapeze) from an 'under the straps' position.

After hooking up, I sit my bum over the edge of the boat and my toes under the straps, then I bend one leg up so my foot is on the corner of the boat and then push myself out. If you do it quick enough (once you get used to it) your body moves out fast enough to take the slack in the trapeze system before it drops down.

It works quite well for me most of the time except my crew tends to use the footstrap as a foot blocker and pushes herself further up the boat and can sometimes push it off the end of my toes as I'm trying to get out.

I've been trying to remember how I use my legs and I think that I always leave my left under the straps and push out with my right - I'll try to remember to check when I sail tomorrow.

re mainsheet and tiller - Both stay in their respective hands (tiller in rear, sheet in front) and don't get cleated or anything.

Everybody has different physical abilities and lengths of limbs so the important thing is to find something that works for you. I had one crew who used to perch on the side of the boat like a frog before she went out on the wire but she could get out as quick as me so it didn't really matter what it looked like!

Good luck deciding on a boat - I'm sure you won't be dissapointed whichever way you go.