I'm upgrading the original traveler on my 1978 Catalina 27 (with the thumbscrews). I looked at Harken (very nice), searched sailboat wrecking yards, and looked online. Catalina Direct has an upgrade for $266. Has anyone done an upgrade with this traveler? My wife is concerned about spanning the entire 4ft. of cockpit and eliminating seat space for grandkids. My question is, if I stay in the original track configuration of 30 inches, will I have any track left to move the car for upwind sailing, or sail trimming for weather-helm?
Catalina 27 Traveler Upgrade
- Thread starter dvcjcoop
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How often do you move your traveler. Maybe I'm just lazy but once I'm on a tack things stay pretty much put. I will change it for down wind but otherwise it stays in the center. If someone needs to move and resituate it doesn't seem like that big of an inconvenience. The other possibility is to go mid boom and move it forward. and it will be really out of the way.
Well, I use the traveller all the time.... it's an integral part of my sailing experience.... and I'm not talking about racing.... so don't go there. Here's my simple set up...it's just a simple 2:1 with the small harken car on harken track (harken cars need harken track) The essence of any adjustable traveller is that you need a ball bearing car... You may be able to find a car that fits your existing track.. it's probably 1" T track... and that is why the Garhauer equipment was suggested.....
Anyhow, take a look at my simple system... if you can find a car that will fit your existing track you'll save 30-50 bucks. To maximize the range of movement the attacment points and cleats should be offset so the car can move all the way to the end.
As far as seating.... the area behind the traveller, on the lazarette hatch, is a very popular place for guests to stretch their legs while using the pushpit as a backrest.
Anyhow, take a look at my simple system... if you can find a car that will fit your existing track you'll save 30-50 bucks. To maximize the range of movement the attacment points and cleats should be offset so the car can move all the way to the end.
As far as seating.... the area behind the traveller, on the lazarette hatch, is a very popular place for guests to stretch their legs while using the pushpit as a backrest.
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I've done the upgrade with the traveler from CD. Works like a champ. I was going to purchase from Garhauer but didn't see online which one would work properly (MT-1 maybe) so I just went with CD. As you can see it's a 3:1 purchase. I mounted mine on Aluminum 8020 to raise it up for clearance instead of the wood.
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I use the traveller to add twist when pointing. When the boom is near center, I move the traveler towards weather a bit. This opens the top of the sail and spills the wind. This makes sailing in gusty wind more comfortable and lessens those times when your guests think the boat is going to roll over.
Also, when the wind is behind me, I move the traveler all the way to the end of the side the sail is on.
Also, when the wind is behind me, I move the traveler all the way to the end of the side the sail is on.
Ok, ok I exagerate I do use it as the wind or the my course changes, but not all of the time. The tiller and the head I use all the time, the sheets less often and the traveler as needed. But certainly not enough to inconvenience guest, and if they don't like it they can walk home.
I do like the way you raised the track to clear the tiller. It would also help to raise it at least flush with the cushions and prevent chafing, another concern that was posted earlier. Mine still sits down in the recess.
Do you have a spring under your main sheet block to keep it upright, mine doesn't and I've considered adding one to keep it from banging on the tiller.
JR- cause I just had to have the bigger boat that was for sale at my marina. What can I say? Yes it's costing me money and I need to sell it soon, but spring is coming
caguy- I use my traveler alot now that it works well and with a new main it makes it easier to trim. On my C30 with mid boom sheeting I use the traveler more than the mainsheet. Lake sailing = gusty, changing winds.
caguy- I use my traveler alot now that it works well and with a new main it makes it easier to trim. On my C30 with mid boom sheeting I use the traveler more than the mainsheet. Lake sailing = gusty, changing winds.
Never had a cushion problem.... but if you want to raise the system an inch, that would work. Notice that I do not employ track mounted end blocks and cleats... The goal is to get the car to move as close to the track end as possible to give you the widest range of movement. I have seen systems where the control line block was BEHIND the cockpit wall, with the line emerging near the trimmer's station...
I don't have a spring on the mainsheet block....but I think it sounds like a good idea. The fiddle block system you see in the picture wasn't too much of a problem in that regard, however, a few years back I converted to a 5:1 block system and it has a tendency to flop around a bit when the sheet is slack......... The spring could eliminate that annoyance. Thanks for the suggestion.
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