Main Sheet - Traveller

[The Duck #889]

I dis-like the mainsheet arrangement. Too much line all over the place, and the cam cleat on the sole of the cockpit is a PITA. Also makes accessing the O/B difficult.

I want to install a mainsheet traveller so that I can trim end of the boom tension separately from the sheet angle. Has anyone else gone to a traveller?

Im looking for insight into best placement for the track, or if anyone has a clever idea for the existing set-up. I would like the traveller to go forward of the current mainsheet location.

Not concerned with class rules.

[cklamp]

http://www.sj21fleet1.org/tips-and-tricks/travelers

we have a whole article on the Fleet 1 site. Most Racers use a "traveler" of some sort... some of the more recent setups include a bridle with a block that Bob Abelin espouces. Chris Popich in Fleet 1 is running similar, and IIRC Kermit is as well? We don't have a writeup on that, but there was previous discussion about that setup on these forums a while ago.

A search might yield some already posted information for you.

later
C

[bluepearl]

Simple rope travelers are very nice, I think that most of the top racers in the west are using them. Here's a link to a post that I put on Jim Hubbarts site a while back that shows the system I'm using.

http://sanjuan21.net/msgs/8512.htm

[La Belle]

A former owner of our SJ21 built a raised traveller - a crossrail about 8" above the gunwale and 12" in from the stern. The tiller then goes under it, while the aft stay goes above it. In our short time of ownership of the San Juan, we have found it to be very efficient.
Rod

[The Duck #889]

Thanks for the info. The article on the Fleet 1 site was very helpful.

I don't think I like the rope traveler because it doesn't solve the problem of being in the way. Plus, not being able to raise the tiller would be worse.


But... what if I set up a rope traveller forward, near the winches. If I use two heavy pad-eyes into the coaming, I could attach one end with a shackle, and get the whole works out of the way when at anchor. Thoughts?

clearly, I would have to incorporate a turnbuckle or something to get some tension on the wire.

[cklamp]

Ben,

I think no matter what you do it's going to be a compromise. Personally i'd go for a rear mounted traveler as that's what I use for racing OR cruising. You can lift the tiller up, but not straight up and down. Not sure how much "lift" you really need for your purposes. I don't wholely agree with Stephen about making it harder to get to the outboard, etc, but each setup is different. I'm sure it can make it harder, but I think my split backstay get's in the way of me doing things on Mizu's stern more than my traveler does.

I'm not a fiberglass expert, but the thought of a mid mounted rope traveler kind of makes me cringe. The stern should be a lot stiffer and capable of withstanding that pull and abuse, but I don't know if the mid cockpit gunwale's would be so happy. I could be totally wrong though.

Also, for other cruisers, as I recall you have a fixed keel? So class legality isn't applicable, but for other cruisers that have swing keels I would think being class legal can potentially help your resale value.

Later
C

[bluepearl]

I've had very little issue with the rope traveler being in "the way" and I can raise the tiller most of the way if needed. I do have a bungee to help hold it up under no load just to keep it out of the way of the tiller and you do sort of need to climb around it to get to the motor, but its not too bad. A mid cockpit rope traveler would probably work ok, but it would make it real bear to move around the cockpit. I really have no complaints about the rope traveler, once you get used to it you see that it has pretty minimal drawbacks.