Bethwaite Design has developed a keyball trapeze harness system that

attempts to lessen risk by reducing the likelihood and the opportunity of

becoming snared or entangled. The harness is available in North America from

Performance Sailcraft 2000 Inc. and from Ovington Boats in the UK. -

http://www.bethwaite.com/bethwaite/accessories/acc_index.htm

Cool design -- I wonder how well it works when the boat is hopping all over the place in big waves when your going to weather???



Steve

Cool design, yes.



New, definitely not.



The "sail-safe" ball and key system (that I purchased from Murray's Marine at least 15 years ago), worked great. I still have a complete set of 4 in my basement but stopped using it because they stopped making it. Also, crew would always show up with a hook and we would waste too much time switching the buckles. I've always liked it and was wishing someone would bring it back. It's especially nice when you have to climb onto your boat from the water - you don't have to worry about poking a hole or scratching your boat with those metal hooks! I never fell off or had a problem with it. many of us in our fleet loved this system. I'm glad it's back.

Murray's sez they're developing one on a spreader bar. That wuz the only shortcoming of the systems I've tried.

Ed

Hopefully the spreader bar version will adapt to our existing harnesses...

Look at these prices! This stuff must be make by the same folks who make sail boxes.



Alloy buckle - AUD$80.00 plus GST

Carbon/kevlar buckle - AUD$160.00 plus GST

Keyballs - AUD$25.00 plus GST per pair

now that's funny! (beach wheels too)

$80 AUD = $44 US for alloy buckle

$160 AUD = $88 US for carbon buckle

$25 AUD = $13.90 US for a pair of keyballs. So refit your harness and trap (one trapeze) for about $100 if you go hi-tech, or about $60 otherwise. The full harness is right at $150, a bit high but subtract the $44 for the alloy buckle and you are right back in line with quality stuff here. Or you can refit both traps for less than $30. The buckle is 10" wide, also. Priced a 10" spreader bar lately? Mine in welded steel set me back $30 a couple or three years ago.



Prices seem REALLY reasonable....

Here is the "Sail Safe" System I purchased about 15 years ago from Murray's Marine (manufactured by Ocean Motion R&D ?)



If you can't see the image below, go directly to:

http://images.ofoto.com/photos237/4/49/60/22/61/0/61226049403_0_ALB.jpg





I am going to start using this again!

or try this for the image:

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?...llid=71226049403&photoid=61226049403

Does anyone have a unsold box of the original keyballs and buckles in a box in their basement? I have punched 2 little holes in my new boat already with my hook. How about selling them on e-bay ?