Trapeze harness

Thanks Hector.  Now we know, and also know not to try windsurfing with a dinghy style hook!

My main objection to QR hooks, apart from accidental release potential, which is annoying rather than dangerous, is that they all stick out and therefore get caught in stuff in the first place.  That poor L4000 bloke wouldn't have gotten stuck at all with a recessed "waddington" (like mine) or "bethwaite" hook. 

.. though in truth, all my near entanglements have been neck and arm related and nothing to do with trapezing (head between mast, deck and mast ram was a good one!)

.. and I still don't see how you're supposed to cut yourself free from shrouds and spars with a little knife, or even from webbing and ropes before you drown.

Nope. They are a triangular because in a big fall, it's easy to get spun right around and with a plain hook that results in the harness line twisting and forming a tornique around the hook. Very, very difficult to remove. The triangle shape means any twisting / tightening of the harness line should result in it being forced off the hook. Probably not well explained but I hope you get the picture.

As someone who's been around I can say that I'd never sail without a BA - saved me at least twice (I can swim but try it in water at 6 degrees - after a couple of minutes your arms start to pack in).

QR harnesses need development but must be the way to go. To clarify I bought one for my daughter - here on balance I decided it was safer than not having one. But I have one harness with and one without. I agree entirely that ropes present more risk of entaglement, but you'd have to be very unlucky to not get out whereas a hook on a shroud??.

And finally the original question. Yes you can, but there's a reason the two are different and it isn't just fashion. Find one that suits you.

Yes its true the poor guy who died at the 4000 Nationals did get caught by his hook.  However he was inexperienced.  Years of sailing a wide range of boats has shown me that the hook generally is not the problem and with experience its the first thing you check when caught.

Being a keen 4000 owner I must point out that it is a boat which inverts very quickly and with such force you won't stop it.  Having sailed and capsised an 800 much too many times I have come to the conclusion that a carbon mast is a safety feature since the 800 is much easier to stop from invertion and also easier to right.

The recessed hook system looks good but I sail such a variety of boats I need a standard hook.  The best solution is be aware of where your hook is and check it is clear when you capsise.  If you sail a boat which inverts quickly make a point of keeping clear - ie don't try anything fancy like dropping the kite.  Get some weight on the centreboard before you do anything like dropping the kite, uncleating the sheets or easing the kicker.  And if you have to have an adjustable harness buy one with the velcro flaps which cover up all the buckles.

After all that it is worth pointing out that sailing is a safe sport - it may terrify you at times but generally you just get wet.

Try, when you're out flat, tightening the shoulder strap a bit, so it takes some of the weight.

Also, remember with back strain that it can sometimes strike without warning, but as a result of long term abuse.