Another Traveler Question

FranS · Post by **FranS** » Mon May 18, 2009 3:38 am

I beleive we have the original set up. The track has holes set at 2-3 inch intervals. Bolts with wing nuts, now frozen tight ,were placed allowing the traveller about a three foot range of movement. I assume that the bolts are meant to be moved along the track for different conditons. Any suggestions on where best to set them when we replace them, or does anyone have a better set up short of replacing the whole mess?

Also this is really a Sailing 101 question, but what exactly does the traveler do???

Many thanks

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon May 18, 2009 6:38 am

Hi Fran,

In its simplest form, the travler allows you to adjust the boom position without changing sail shape.

I'll avoid all the performance sailing issues only because I could become an adict quite easily and I would like to stay married . . . . .

If you are beating to wind with the main pulled in tight and the jib pulled in tight, a lot of times you'll actually "backwind" the main and it looks to be luffing before the jib luffs! Especially in lighter air and a full rounded sail!! To prevent this, leave the sheet alone and move your traveler to windward. This will allow you to get the boom directly centered over your boat or even a bit to windward if you desire!

Destiny does not beat to wind as well as I like and we use thitrick a lot to gain a bit of an advantage!

Another use is if you want to let the sail out a tad bit but don't want to change the shape, you can use the traveler!

On Destiny the downwind performance change is not really noticeable however the perfomance gains going to windward are VERY noticable!!

Hope this helps!!

Scott

parared · Post by **parared** » Mon May 18, 2009 6:51 am

On this subject, my traveller seems to be missing .. something. I have a little scooty car that the main sheet attaches too, which is captured in a rail structure that runs the width of the transom. However, its free to move, with no way of locking it in place. There are holes drilled along the rail. Should I find some sort of pin to put through those holes to try and capture the car?

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:36 am

If you have a traveler and it is running free back and forth, I'd start at a minimum at pinning it in the center of the boat as possible. With it sliding back and forth you can loose a lot of windward performance. I prefer it pinned and in the center vs free floating.

If you have one that is adjustable, you should play with it! Try beating to windward with the traveler all the way out, then pull it all the way in to windward and beat to wind again! Notice the how much your pointing ability gets better! There is a lot more there but that is the biggest gain on my boats!

Seriously, I see a lot a travelers that go completely unused!!! Give it a try! You may impress yourself!!!!

( well, OK, I admit, I'm easily entertained LOL! )

Scott

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:53 am

I think our traveler is original as well. We have a series of holes along the track and a pair of pins. The car runs along the track, and the pins prevent the car from going too far in either direction.

Most often we set the pins to keep the car in the middle of the track, but when we're trying to sail our best, we set the pins to position the car for the best sail shape given our tack.

The pins we use have a spring loaded bearing at the tip and a ring at the other end. This way, the pins stay in the holes without falling out, and yanking on the ring pulls the pin out of the hole.

If you're still confused, post again, and I'll take a picture of our setup.

Cheers,
Matt

kokezaru · Post by **kokezaru** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:44 am

Like Scott said, moving the traveler to windward will help you point better into the wind. But, when wind conditions are strong, moving the traveler to leeward will ruduce heel, not only by dumping air, but changing the leverage point that the main sheet pulls on the deck.

--Richard

somers12 · Post by **somers12** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:02 am

Here are a few pics of mine which seems to be original on the 22. One thing I never did check for are pin holes... I'll do that as soon as it stops raining.
Steve

FranS · Post by **FranS** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:47 am

Sommers,

Ours looks nothing like yours. Its just a peice of metal with a shakle to which we attach the main sheet. No cleats or blocks. I assume those blocks have a line through them which allows you to fix the travler in place. Ours just moves across when we tack and is stopped by the pin.

Matt,

I'd love to see a pic of your set up if its not too much trouble.

Thanks for the sail trim lessons

.

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:12 am

No problem. I'll try and head down there tomorrow and take a pic. I've got another couple things to work on while I'm there anyways.

We had our first sail of the season on Friday, and it was magnificent!

somers12 · Post by **somers12** » Mon May 18, 2009 12:52 pm

You know, I never did figure out the correct way to rig this traveler, and no one here had any idea when I originally posted the problem here. Until I do see something similar , I'll just tie it in the boat center. It definitely doesn't look like it's been changed from another system.

Steve

matt · Post by **matt** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:09 am

Steve,

Your's actually looks a little nicer than ours. It looks like a rig similar to the one in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrhoAJMlRpY

Though you may be missing the blocks, cam cleats, and sheets that are supposed to accompany it.

-Matt

somers12 · Post by **somers12** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:26 am

Yep, it does look similar, and I am missing the the blocks, and cam cleats as you mentioned. Still raining here. Soon as I can I am going to check on the possibilities of adding some. A traveler hasn't been very important to me as I'm not into racing anywhere, or anyone... just cruising, but it could fine tune my boats performance. Damn, I didn't mean to hi jack this thread, I was just trying to help. But thanks Matt.

Steve

goodsax · Post by **goodsax** » Wed May 20, 2009 3:49 am

wow, you tube sailing lessons!!! i never thought of that.

matt · Post by **matt** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:17 am

Here is the traveler system on our C22.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78217737@N00/3548040097/

FranS · Post by **FranS** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:53 am

Yup, that's it Matt. thanks for the pcis. As it happens I think we have some pins in the garage that will be perfect I spotted them last week . I see you have it pinned over to one side. is that the positon you normally leave it ion or do you bring both sides to center?

The cotter pin is on one side only? Does the pin ever want to pop out?

matt · Post by **matt** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:50 pm

There are two pins in place that keep it close to mid-ships. That's where I keep it when I'm not adjusting it. There is about 10" or so of play when it is centered, but if I were sailing, it would obviously be held against the leeward pin by the wind.

As far as the cotter-rings, I've never had one try to jump out. If I remember correctly, the end of the pin that doesn't have a ring has a little spring loaded ball bearing to resist it from popping out of the track.

This traveler system works ok, but I'd much prefer a system that has a set of blocks and cleats. For example, if you are heading windward and you want to use the traveler to center the boom, you now have to pull the traveler car up toward you and put a pin in behind it. Not an easy feat.

Alas, traveler systems can get very expensive. I installed a boom vang this year; that's my equipment investment for this season.