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sandycohen · 08-03-2010, 11:17

First, does anyone find it odd (funny?) that the rigging/sails forum is almost the last one on the main page?

On to the question - what is worse?

Allowing a mainsheet traveler car to move freely from one side to the other at all times
Fixing the mainsheet traveler car to the center of the track and never moving it (essentially having no traveler)

Sailmonkey · 08-03-2010, 11:23

worse to let it slop back and forth, at some point the end of the track will pop off and so will the car.
There is nothing wrong with fixing the traveler and using the sheet and vang to sail by.

sandycohen · 08-03-2010, 11:32

Thanks. My boat has a t-track traveler (identical to the jib and genoa lead tracks) but unlike the jib/genoa cars the mainsail car does not have any screw or spring set mechanism. There are two steel brackets that slide on the track and 'capture' the car where you want to keep it. I assume there 'were' two actually - I've only ever had one, and i realize something needs to change. I am not an expert at mainsheet angle adjustment as a trimming skill, so wanted to decide if I should just fix it in place and forget it or get an adjustable car.

I assume that it's OK to use a genoa or jib car/block since the track is the same, even though its a mainsail?

Thanks!

Sailmonkey · 08-03-2010, 11:38

I have the same main traveller as you, and as I am an obsessive trim tweaker I move is all the time, but the travler track really isn't wide enough to make a huge difference. You should have no problem at all using the hardware from the other tracks either.......adapt and overcome!!

sandycohen · 08-03-2010, 11:40

The same one - really? I couldn't believe that a replacement one of those steel stops is $40!! I figured might as well by a spring-loaded car, even if i never move it.

My track is wide though - at least 3 feet or wider - is that not wide enough to make an impact?

gonesail · 08-03-2010, 11:43

the track will allow you to point a little higher .. so it is a little better than a fixed sheet.

Tropic Cat · 08-03-2010, 11:44

18" is enough to make a difference when talking main sail trim

Sailmonkey · 08-03-2010, 11:47

for tooling around on a leisurely sail, not worth messing with. In a blow trying to dump a little more wind from the main, ok. Or racing with too much canvas and dumping a little power from the sail, great use...

Tropic Cat · 08-03-2010, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

for tooling around on a leisurely sail, not worth messing with. In a blow trying to dump a little more wind from the main, ok. Or racing with too much canvas and dumping a little power from the sail, great use...

no, for windward sailing

Weyalan · 08-03-2010, 21:16

Strictly speaking, the main sheet is for adjusting the sail shape to suit the wind strength and the traveller is for adjusting the sail angle of attack to suit the angle of the wind relative to your desired point of sail. If you fix the traveller, you will end up with poor sail shape. If you allow the traveller to travel unrestricted, you will lose your ability to point. Choose your poison... me; I'll take neither.

**roverhi** · 17-03-2010, 23:18

A travellor that slops back and forth is a safety hazard. My daughter in law still has a scar where the travellor slammed into her shin. The rope adjustor somehow came out of the cam cleat and allowed the travellor to slam over on a tack. Strange she hasn't shown any enthusiasm to go sailing with me again.