As I am renovating my sailboat (a Matilda 20) and would like advice as to the location of a traveler on the transom. It would seem to be out of everybodys way to enhance cockpit room. The original layout of the boat had the mainsheet at the rear of the boom going to blocks on both sides of the boat. Any advice out there?
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MArk
Matilda traveler
Hey Dan, There is a picture on the related link that shows the traveler forward in the cockpit. I believe this would give much better control of sail shape (which is the reason for a traveler in the first place) than putting it on the transom. Since I don't have a Matilda, this is only my opinion. Happy sails _/), MArk
Hey Dan, There is a picture on the related link that shows the traveler forward in the cockpit. I believe this would give much better control of sail shape (which is the reason for a traveler in the first place) than putting it on the transom. Since I don't have a Matilda, this is only my opinion. Happy sails _/), MArk
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MArk
Already there
Dan, I didn't realize until now that you already visited that site and requested information there so I'll just make some general comments regarding travelers. Travelers are used to control sail camber or curvature (see related link). A traveler is most effective if it is under the boom therefore, a traveler that is 2/3 of the boom length from the mast and long enough to keep the car under the boom when fairly close hauled is the best arrangement (i.e.: a traveler extending as long as possible in the forward cockpit). Given that all boats and everything in them are comprimises of sorts, you have to ask yourself if this is right for your requirements. If it's more important to have an open and unencumbered flow into the cabin than better sailing performance, then you may want to install a single mainsheet anchor on the transom center (a traveler this far behind the boom end probably won't work very good). Happy sails _/), MArk
Dan, I didn't realize until now that you already visited that site and requested information there so I'll just make some general comments regarding travelers. Travelers are used to control sail camber or curvature (see related link). A traveler is most effective if it is under the boom therefore, a traveler that is 2/3 of the boom length from the mast and long enough to keep the car under the boom when fairly close hauled is the best arrangement (i.e.: a traveler extending as long as possible in the forward cockpit). Given that all boats and everything in them are comprimises of sorts, you have to ask yourself if this is right for your requirements. If it's more important to have an open and unencumbered flow into the cabin than better sailing performance, then you may want to install a single mainsheet anchor on the transom center (a traveler this far behind the boom end probably won't work very good). Happy sails _/), MArk
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Dan Jones
Thanks Mark!
Mark, I missed the traveler in that picture since it is so short. Will that be effective? At least it doesn't intrude on cabin entrance. Thank you so much for the help.
Mark, I missed the traveler in that picture since it is so short. Will that be effective? At least it doesn't intrude on cabin entrance. Thank you so much for the help.
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MArk
Longer is better
Dan, The longer you make the traveler, the more effective it will be when footing off. The one in the picture (below) looks too short to be effective. If it ran out to the coaming on each side, that would be awesome. Harken has pictures at: http://www.harken.com/rigtips/travelers.php MArk
Dan, The longer you make the traveler, the more effective it will be when footing off. The one in the picture (below) looks too short to be effective. If it ran out to the coaming on each side, that would be awesome. Harken has pictures at: http://www.harken.com/rigtips/travelers.php MArk
Traveler
I agree with MArk. A longer traveler is more effective because it provides a larger range of adjustment. A short traveler on the cabin will have the same effect as a long traveler on the transom, because the traveler controls the angle of the boom to the centerline of the boat. If you are sailing upwind on a constant heading, then the traveler controls the angle between the boom and the apparent wind, i.e. the "angle of attack" of the mainsail. The traveler is a "pure" control. The only thing it changes is the angle of attack. The mainsheet also controls this angle but it is not a "pure" control. As you sail closer to the wind and sheet in more, the mainsheet starts pulling the boom in less and starts pulling it DOWN more. This tensions the leech of the mainsail and closes it, decreasing twist, increasing weather helm and possibly increasing heel as well. By using the traveler instead of the mainsheet to control the angle of attack when sailing close-halued, leech tension is kept constant and weather helm can be controlled. The sheet and traveler can be adjusted together to fine-tune mainsail trim. I added a traveler to my H23 last year and it has improved my sailing considerably. I would definitely recommend it. Even a short traveler is better than no traveler. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
I agree with MArk. A longer traveler is more effective because it provides a larger range of adjustment. A short traveler on the cabin will have the same effect as a long traveler on the transom, because the traveler controls the angle of the boom to the centerline of the boat. If you are sailing upwind on a constant heading, then the traveler controls the angle between the boom and the apparent wind, i.e. the "angle of attack" of the mainsail. The traveler is a "pure" control. The only thing it changes is the angle of attack. The mainsheet also controls this angle but it is not a "pure" control. As you sail closer to the wind and sheet in more, the mainsheet starts pulling the boom in less and starts pulling it DOWN more. This tensions the leech of the mainsail and closes it, decreasing twist, increasing weather helm and possibly increasing heel as well. By using the traveler instead of the mainsheet to control the angle of attack when sailing close-halued, leech tension is kept constant and weather helm can be controlled. The sheet and traveler can be adjusted together to fine-tune mainsail trim. I added a traveler to my H23 last year and it has improved my sailing considerably. I would definitely recommend it. Even a short traveler is better than no traveler. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Bob
Peter and Mark are right,
the forward cockpit location gives you the best angle and leverage combination. Extend the track out onto the seats and you'll get used to it pretty quick. Sure, it's a little in the way of the companionway - you'll learn to avoid it in about a day, and you'll use it to cleat the boom off center when not sailing and using the cabin. The rest of the time (98%) you'll enjoy the increase in performance, the finer adjustment possible, the increased skill you'll gain in sail-shaping, and the ability to dump the main quickly without messing up its shape.
the forward cockpit location gives you the best angle and leverage combination. Extend the track out onto the seats and you'll get used to it pretty quick. Sure, it's a little in the way of the companionway - you'll learn to avoid it in about a day, and you'll use it to cleat the boom off center when not sailing and using the cabin. The rest of the time (98%) you'll enjoy the increase in performance, the finer adjustment possible, the increased skill you'll gain in sail-shaping, and the ability to dump the main quickly without messing up its shape.
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