Traveler

Submitted by Bruce177 on Mon, 02/02/2004 - 21:35
I've been curious to know if a traveler, say, similar to the lightning's is of any benefit to the FS. I will not be racing my old boat, so the issue of legality is moot. I was given Thistle traveler hardware last fall and the interest is growing in whether or not it's worth the effort. Thanks in advance for any answers. Bruce177
‹ Windex

Comments

Bruce: If you decide to try the traveller I hope you keep us pos

Submitted by Bob41 on Wed, 02/04/2004 - 14:33.
Bruce: If you decide to try the traveller I hope you keep us posted. Untangling the mainsheet from my motor is no longer amusing. I have an older boat, too, and I don't think we should be timid about making changes if we are so inclined.

Regarding the traveller: I reworked my main after 2 near swampi

Submitted by Barry277 on Wed, 02/18/2004 - 00:59.
Regarding the traveller: I reworked my main after 2 near swampings in 30+ knots singlehanding while tacking, mainsheet caught on the motor. I used shock cord, to pull the mainsheet down onto the tiller during tacks although I still have to be careful. It would be easy to bolt a piece of 1/2 stainless rod or bronze to the aft deck, with risers or just bent 3 or 4 inches on the ends, since the tiller doesn't pivot up, and attach the becket for the bottom mainsheet block usually hooked to the rudderhead to the rod. I don't think any changes would be necessary to the boom at all, since the angle to the rod would not be severe. If wanted, the block could be reattached to the rudderhead easily. Thought-provoking suggestion, thanks, I think I'll try it out!

I am concerned about this as well.

Submitted by Brian Mikiten FS2688 on Sat, 02/21/2004 - 09:37.
I am concerned about this as well. I purchased a small Honda 4 stroke motor instead of the larger unit I was considering only because it is light enough to remove from the stern after I get out to where I need to sail. I do want to keep the boat race ready but also don't want my family in the boat if it swamps - especially in the ocean! There must be a better way... Brian

In regard to installing a traveller, when coming about from a do

Submitted by Bob41 on Sun, 02/29/2004 - 17:52.
In regard to installing a traveller, when coming about from a downwind run you will still have a lot of mainsheet out there looking to tangle with the motor, so a traveller will be no insurance against fouling. I visited the factory last week and learned that some thought is being given to relocating the mainsheet rigging to the near center of the boom. The lower becket block would fasten to the lifting bridle on the aft end of the centerboard trunk, and the upper block would fasten to a bail riveted to the boom just forward of the boom whoopie. The main would then lead in the normal way through the block on the boom and down to the swivel. Think of it as simply moving everything forward. I doubt that racers would want to do this but it may be the answer for cruisers. I'll be trying this as soon as I dig my boat out of the snowdrifts and I'll post photos.

Mid-boom sheeting has become the norm on a lot of boats due to c

Submitted by Barry277 on Sun, 02/29/2004 - 22:42.
Mid-boom sheeting has become the norm on a lot of boats due to clutter on deck, dodgers, fouling of deck and hull equipment, etc. It is workable if executed well. Keep in mind that moving the center of sheet effort forward on the boom requires more force to achieve same effect, realized by an increase in purchase, 3 or 4 or more to one in the mainsheet rigging. The other detriment to mid-boom sheeting is the possibility that an unwanted gybe could snap the boom just aft of the center bail as it takes up and the force of the main coming over applies it's leverage to the remainder of the unsupported boom...(don't ask me how I know this)...the concept is workable for the cruiser, and would make the motor and rudderhead tangle issue moot as long as the eye was given to the wind angle and gybes avoided. This setup would make the roller reefing setup on the Scot boom inoperable however, making it necessary to install slab reefing to the mains'l. In my opinion (and I've been wrong before) the standing traveller about 1/3 back on the aft deck would suffice, could be removed for racing, and requires no mods to the boom, mainsheet or cleating. I would like to hear others thoughts on this.

When I recently purchased my boat, it came with the traveler lin

Submitted by Griffin on Mon, 03/01/2004 - 11:15.
When I recently purchased my boat, it came with the traveler line that FS sells. I will be sailing with a motor and am considering installing it on my boat. I'm not crazy about drilling holes in the rear deck of the boat, but the line seems easy to remove for racing. Does anyone have any experience with this arrangement or comments?

I have experimented with the traveler line as supplied by FS Inc

Submitted by Marty4831 on Thu, 03/04/2004 - 07:29.
I have experimented with the traveler line as supplied by FS Inc. It seems to work real well. I have only tried it in low winds, but the main sheet does stay well forward on a gybe. I didn't have to drill holes in the deck to attach it. The rear loops for attaching my boom tent where in the exact place suggested for attaching the traveler. I beefed up the tent attachments and now can just shackle the traveler to them any time I want to use the motor.

I have had the same trouble when using the motor and also though

Submitted by David Stockwell on Thu, 02/08/2007 - 22:26.
I have had the same trouble when using the motor and also thought of rigging a traveller. Instead of the boom tent fittings though, I have spinnaker fairleads on each side of the aft deck. Has anybody rigged a traveller through these or have an opinion on whether they are strong enough to handle the load? I was thinking of a bowline in the center and figure eights on each end, leaving little slack. That should behave similar to the traditional rudder mount but hopefully keep the main sheet from fouling in the motor. Incidentally, I have found it fouls in the bracket without the motor, so the bracket has to come inboard too.