Refitting traveler and tackle

[jplello]

Jean-Luc van Den Heede on his Mamut, a Rustler 31", replaced the traveler and tackle by these two tackles.
This is the first and only time I saw this arrangement. What you experienced guys think of it?

[tradrockrat]

The pic isn't super clear, but is it just a twin mainsheet on the back of the boom? If so, it's pretty common, actually.

Some people love 'em, some prefer a traveller. There are pros and cons to each set up.

[Orion Jim]

As mentioned previously it’s nothing new. I have mid-boom sheeting to a traveler. When I venture offshore I use that system since it acts as a preventer. I attach to the base of a midship stanchion and to a mid-boom bale. Very secure and I always have the boom in complete control from two opposing locations. Snap shackles on the attachment points allow me to release in an emergency.

[Pete7]

Barry off Adventures of an Old Seadog on YT has this arrangement. He asked about it in one of his early videos and then went for it sailing half way around the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaK3...sofanoldSeadog

[psk125]

Look up "German sheeting" too.

[Scubaseas]

I ran my boat that way for a couple of years. Has it's plusses and minuses. A bit more cumbersome to use than a traveler and vang and it gets "fussy" to fine trim it but you can put the end of the boom pretty much anywhere in two dimensions. Not my first choice for tacking up a channel though.

[SV Aquavit]

Practical Sailor just had an article on this topic: https://www.practical-sailor.com/sai...l-the-mainsail

[rocco lombardi]

But why?

[psk125]

Idle hands make Devil's work: it gives the cockpit crew something to do on every tack.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by psk125

Idle hands make Devil's work: it gives the cockpit crew something to do on every tack.

In fact, if you sail to weather with the boom centered... no. You just tack the jib.


I've sailed with both systems, on the same boat. The both worked well and were pleasant and functional.

• It is a jury rig that every sailor should understand. Travelers do fail.
• Some like it better, some hate it. It is different, but not better or worse, depending on the boat.
• You will see them on some performance boats (Chris White cats, Neel tris). Don't assume it is a slow boat, heavy cruiser thing.

Personally, I prefer the traveler type.

[Benz]

I sailed thousands of miles with a setup like this, then switched to a single sheet system with blocks at either side of the cockpit. Either way, no traveller--I can't stand 'em.
The double setup has only a slight advantage in control, but you have twice as much line mucking up the cockpit, and you have to feed two tails out when sheeting out.
My current setup has worked best-sheeted tight, the boom will self tack when beating, but is under perfect control.

[Tayana42]

I once had a shackle break on my main sheet traveler and use twin preventers in this way to get things under control until I was able to replace the failed shackle. Good to know how in an emergency but not as convenient as the traveler and a single main sheet.

[Lance Monotone]

Originally Posted by Benz

I sailed thousands of miles with a setup like this, then switched to a single sheet system with blocks at either side of the cockpit. Either way, no traveller--I can't stand 'em.
The double setup has only a slight advantage in control, but you have twice as much line mucking up the cockpit, and you have to feed two tails out when sheeting out.
My current setup has worked best-sheeted tight, the boom will self tack when beating, but is under perfect control.

I'm considering replacing my traveler with a double-sheet system and came across your post, which intrigued me. Would you be able to post a picture or diagram of your single-sheet system, and expand on why you like it better than a double?

[Benz]

Originally Posted by Lance Monotone

I'm considering replacing my traveler with a double-sheet system and came across your post, which intrigued me. Would you be able to post a picture or diagram of your single-sheet system, and expand on why you like it better than a double?

You may be able to find a picture among the jumble on my website: zartmancruising dot com
...but it's really too simple to require a pic. The sheet deadends at one side of the cockpit, goes to a triple block on the boom, down to the other side, around a block and up again to the boom block, down to the first side again....etc
You can put as many legs in the system as you need.

I removed the double-sheet system because it used twice as much rope, most of which pooled in the cockpit and got all tangled, and easing the main quickly required easing two lines--bleh. I also didn't need the power of the two tackles: one is sufficient. So, simplicity prevailed.

[Lance Monotone]

Originally Posted by Benz

You may be able to find a picture among the jumble on my website: zartmancruising dot com
...but it's really too simple to require a pic. The sheet deadends at one side of the cockpit, goes to a triple block on the boom, down to the other side, around a block and up again to the boom block, down to the first side again....etc
You can put as many legs in the system as you need.

I removed the double-sheet system because it used twice as much rope, most of which pooled in the cockpit and got all tangled, and easing the main quickly required easing two lines--bleh. I also didn't need the power of the two tackles: one is sufficient. So, simplicity prevailed.

Interesting concept, gives me something to think about. Thanks for getting back to me. Btw, I loved reading through your blog. Very nice writing!