Main Sheet Traveler Cleating- End vs Car

[Snore]

I am up to the next project- replacing the mainsheet traveler on my Tartan 33 and would appreciate the thoughts of the forum.

Currently the mainsheeet traveler is mounted just forward of the wheel and connects to the end of the boom. The control lines for the traveler are at the outboard ends of the track. Every time I come about, the last act is to go to the leward side to release the traveler before triming the windward line. I've tried releasing the traveler before coming about, but that seems to slow things down.

So the knee-jerk decision is to go replace the existing traveler system with a system such as the Harken that cleats on the car.



As the admitted newbie, I would appreciate hearing the thoughts of the more seasoned sailors regarding the advantages of cleating on the car vs cleating at the outter ends of the traveler track.

Thanks

Bill

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Snore

Every time I come about, the last act is to go to the leward side to release the traveler before triming the windward line.

You shouldn't have to go to the leeward side to make that release. If you re-rig your current traveler with a continuous line, you can release from the high end.
The theory here is to have the same line work with both cleats.

[Stumble]

Snore,

There are a number of ways to handle this. My favorite is a continuious line like Bash mentioned.

I don't really like cleating on the traveler, sine this will result in an even more difficult to release from the high side. But a lot of people do it.

Finally you can go with a windward sheeting car that theoretically swaps which cam is holding as you tack. These work great when they work, but are real pains in light air, when just the rocking on the boat can switch the cams back and forth.

[Bash]

Oh gosh. We have Snore Bash and Stumble on the same thread.

Not good.

[Snore]

Thanks for the inputs.


I am going to the boat this afternoon after work to try the continues line idea. What is confusing me is that the cam cleat at the end of the track points fore and aft. So to release the line, it would appear that one would need to be on that side of the boat.... But that is what I need to play with this afternoon...

Bash- Definitely eliminated the windward sheeting car option! Regarding the crew on this thread...no worries it's all good.

Bill

[Hi Ho]

Can you post a digram of the contiunous line system with the cleating location?

[Stumble]

Hiho,

I don't have a picture, and the harken website always crashes on me.

I'll try to describe it...

The bitter end of the traveler line dead ends on either the traveler car, or on an end stop at the end of the track (depending on the purchase). Runs back and forth between the traveler and the end stop, before exiting the system at the end stop. From there you lead it to wherever it is easiest to trim from with a cam cleat.

The line then runs to the can on the other side, into the end stop, back and forth, then dead ends at the same point on the other side.

[Stumble]

Snore,

You can likely move the cam relative to the track if it is mounted on it.

[Snore]

You guys are great! I tested the continuous line by simply tying a square knot to connect the port and stbd control lines. Although the square knot prevented full traveler movement, it was clear that with a little slack it was possible to pop the port cam from the stbd side and vica versa.

So now that it looks like my traveler may not completely stink, is there a cost efficient way to replace the sheeves? I have attached photo of the end-block



Your humble student awaits continuing education...

Bill

[Stumble]

Measure what you have, then go to SCHAEFER Schaefer Replacement Sheaves at West Marine an order a replacement.