I am considering changing the position of the traveler on my 29.5 from the helm to the cabin top to accomodate a larger bimini. Has anyone made this change and if you did were you happy with the results. Thanks in advance for your input.
Changing the traveler position
- Thread starter Photoman60
- Start date
Traveller position is a hot topic now and then. The issuse are:
Performance: End-of-boom sheeting = better mainsail shape control with better pointing ability
Comfort: Mid-boom sheeting = more cockpit space for everybody and a bigger bimini top
Safety: End-of-boom sheeting doesn't strain the boom in the middle (makes no difference to the gooseneck)
Effort: End-of-boom sheeting requires less sheeting effort
Ergonomics: If you don't have your control lines running aft (I don't) then you have to reach to change traveller position
There are many who have moved their traveller, just search traveller and you'll find plenty. The most common reasons to move it aft are for performance...moving it forward for more cockpit comfort.
I'm on the fence about many of the issues. If I had it my way, my boom would extend all the way aft and I would have the traveller on the transom. I currently have mid-boom sheeting and dislike the fact that it is hard to let the sheet out if my cabin-top hatch is closed. It is just below the locking cam and if the hatch is closed I have to walk forward and pull the sheet down out of the cam. (If the hatch is open, I can just pull sharply down at an angle on the sheet and release it). The uncluttered cockpit IS nice however.
I also am looking to route all my halyards aft, the problem being that the cabin-top traveller mounts are right where my lines are supposed to run.
From a performance standpoint...I am not sure how much increased performance my slow and heavy boat (1978 H27) would realize. I am of the impression that a heavier cruiser has little to gain/lose when it comes to traveller position Than being said, just like everybody else I am always wondering how much 'extra' I could get out of my boat. On ocasion I have noticed that if I pull my boom midline with my hand from the end (just above my head in my boat) I can actually point maybe a few degrees higher and the boat seems to go a little better from a seat-of-the pants perspective. It is hard to quantify. I believe that it is probably the totality of all the little changes one could make that add up to markedly increased performance.
Of course, it all boils down to personal preference. Just make sure that you have the ability to drill down into your cabin into an open area and that you have have room for good backing plates underneath. On my boat, the plates are decorative teak hardwood with big fender washers and locking washers. The nut on the end is a nice stainless cap nut, which is MUCH better than a plain old nut with threads sticking out. I don't even notice the plates anymore.
Good luck with your decision!
Performance: End-of-boom sheeting = better mainsail shape control with better pointing ability
Comfort: Mid-boom sheeting = more cockpit space for everybody and a bigger bimini top
Safety: End-of-boom sheeting doesn't strain the boom in the middle (makes no difference to the gooseneck)
Effort: End-of-boom sheeting requires less sheeting effort
Ergonomics: If you don't have your control lines running aft (I don't) then you have to reach to change traveller position
There are many who have moved their traveller, just search traveller and you'll find plenty. The most common reasons to move it aft are for performance...moving it forward for more cockpit comfort.
I'm on the fence about many of the issues. If I had it my way, my boom would extend all the way aft and I would have the traveller on the transom. I currently have mid-boom sheeting and dislike the fact that it is hard to let the sheet out if my cabin-top hatch is closed. It is just below the locking cam and if the hatch is closed I have to walk forward and pull the sheet down out of the cam. (If the hatch is open, I can just pull sharply down at an angle on the sheet and release it). The uncluttered cockpit IS nice however.
I also am looking to route all my halyards aft, the problem being that the cabin-top traveller mounts are right where my lines are supposed to run.
From a performance standpoint...I am not sure how much increased performance my slow and heavy boat (1978 H27) would realize. I am of the impression that a heavier cruiser has little to gain/lose when it comes to traveller position Than being said, just like everybody else I am always wondering how much 'extra' I could get out of my boat. On ocasion I have noticed that if I pull my boom midline with my hand from the end (just above my head in my boat) I can actually point maybe a few degrees higher and the boat seems to go a little better from a seat-of-the pants perspective. It is hard to quantify. I believe that it is probably the totality of all the little changes one could make that add up to markedly increased performance.
Of course, it all boils down to personal preference. Just make sure that you have the ability to drill down into your cabin into an open area and that you have have room for good backing plates underneath. On my boat, the plates are decorative teak hardwood with big fender washers and locking washers. The nut on the end is a nice stainless cap nut, which is MUCH better than a plain old nut with threads sticking out. I don't even notice the plates anymore.
Good luck with your decision!
Traveller position
Thank you Braol for taking the time to respond. I will take your advise and search for other threads on the topic. Lots of factors to consider including the cost of changing. It is definitely handy to have the traveler at the helm, it just would be nice to more cockpit shade will under sail especially when we have company. Thanks again.
Thank you Braol for taking the time to respond. I will take your advise and search for other threads on the topic. Lots of factors to consider including the cost of changing. It is definitely handy to have the traveler at the helm, it just would be nice to more cockpit shade will under sail especially when we have company. Thanks again.
Traveller position is a hot topic now and then. The issuse are:
Performance: End-of-boom sheeting = better mainsail shape control with better pointing ability
Comfort: Mid-boom sheeting = more cockpit space for everybody and a bigger bimini top
Safety: End-of-boom sheeting doesn't strain the boom in the middle (makes no difference to the gooseneck)
Effort: End-of-boom sheeting requires less sheeting effort
Ergonomics: If you don't have your control lines running aft (I don't) then you have to reach to change traveller position
There are many who have moved their traveller, just search traveller and you'll find plenty. The most common reasons to move it aft are for performance...moving it forward for more cockpit comfort.
I'm on the fence about many of the issues. If I had it my way, my boom would extend all the way aft and I would have the traveller on the transom. I currently have mid-boom sheeting and dislike the fact that it is hard to let the sheet out if my cabin-top hatch is closed. It is just below the locking cam and if the hatch is closed I have to walk forward and pull the sheet down out of the cam. (If the hatch is open, I can just pull sharply down at an angle on the sheet and release it). The uncluttered cockpit IS nice however.
I also am looking to route all my halyards aft, the problem being that the cabin-top traveller mounts are right where my lines are supposed to run.
From a performance standpoint...I am not sure how much increased performance my slow and heavy boat (1978 H27) would realize. I am of the impression that a heavier cruiser has little to gain/lose when it comes to traveller position Than being said, just like everybody else I am always wondering how much 'extra' I could get out of my boat. On ocasion I have noticed that if I pull my boom midline with my hand from the end (just above my head in my boat) I can actually point maybe a few degrees higher and the boat seems to go a little better from a seat-of-the pants perspective. It is hard to quantify. I believe that it is probably the totality of all the little changes one could make that add up to markedly increased performance.
Of course, it all boils down to personal preference. Just make sure that you have the ability to drill down into your cabin into an open area and that you have have room for good backing plates underneath. On my boat, the plates are decorative teak hardwood with big fender washers and locking washers. The nut on the end is a nice stainless cap nut, which is MUCH better than a plain old nut with threads sticking out. I don't even notice the plates anymore.
Good luck with your decision!