Classic Lido 14 Traveler Rigging

[HML]

This summer I bought a 1960 Lido 14 from a member in our local sailing club. The boat was still in a project state with the transom having been beautifully rebuilt, and it still needed fiberglassing and a couple of smaller pieces that were missing. I've completed the fiberglass and missing pieces, and now it's time to decide if I want to reinstall the original traveler track across the top of the transom (lots of holes and antique hardware, but novelty and convenient since I already have it), or install simple traveler rigging like in this link from DoubleWave:
http://www.lido14.org/lidopedia/DoubleWave Installation Guide L14 Classic Transom Repair.pdf

I'm leaning toward the original traveler track, but am wondering if there's a good reason not to go this route. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Joe]

The system in the final picture of the article is super simple and you could put a decorative, teak cap rail across the transom. I'd go that way.... but actually, you should poll the sailing club members rather than this group which is not really dinghy oriented. The sailing club would be able to give you the specifics you seek.

 

[dlochner]

Asking other Lido sailors for their opinions is probably the best advice.

It appears that the modern traveller works by pulling down on the line through a cam cleat. In general I think it is easier to have control lines with the pull up or horizontal. Pulling up allows you to use bigger muscle groups than pulling down (unless you're raising a sail, then gravity helps a great deal when pulling down). Then again, it could just be the way the photo looks.

 

[BudGates]

Both travelers look to be pretty good systems. Like @dlochner said, pulling up uses larger muscle groups but then for a 14 foot dinghy you're not talking about a lot of forces. As long as the original hardware is in good shape I see no reason not to use it.

 

[HML]

Thank you all! I'll go with the original hardware then. Our club is tiny and mine is the only lido so I thought I'd check here.

 

[Joe]

To HML: I did some homework for you.........….read this: "

Main Sheet Traveler

There are two traveler systems approved by the Lido 14 Class Association. The first, used only on the Classic Lido 14, consists of a track and car system mounted on the upper surface of the transom. To adjust the traveler, one has to move two traveler car stops outwards towards the transom corners to "ease" the traveler. The second, used originally on the New Lido 14 and found occasionally on updated Classic Lido 14s, consists of a Crosby style rope traveler that terminates on the centerboard trunk. The following describes the rigging of the Crosby system.

Crosby Traveler Rigging

First, one must acquire a split main sheet. An ideal slit main has a splice of a thin (i.e. 3/16") line to the main sheet. The splice shall be located such that it never crosses over the main sheet turning block located on the boom above the centerboard trunk when sheeted for closed hauled sailing. The thin line is passed through the block at the outboard end of the boom. When maximum tension is put on the main sheet, a location 22" inches up from the bottom of the transom (outside edge), the another thin line shall be sewn to the first one, making a "Y" split mainsheet. Each small line section is passed through cheek mounted turning blocks mounted on the inboard surface of the transom near the gunwales. The lines are then brought back towards the centerline of the boat and tied together, thereby making a triangle shape between the two knots. From this second junction, one of the split sheets is passed forward to the centerboard trunk. This typically requires the use of additional turning blocks mounted at the base of the transom and the base of the centerboard trunk. Finally, the terminal end of this setup is cleated on top of the centerboard trunk.



There are several advantages to the Crosby system that cannot be ignored. First, the traveler can now be safely and accurately adjusted while racing. Second, the weight of the system is much less. Third, there can be fewer pieced to maintain, and lastly, the weakening of the transom due to dry rot is no longer of great concern because the tension on the traveler is moved to the inboard surface of the transom rather than the (weak) upper surface.



Note that the "new" Lido 14 uses a Crosby traveler because its tiller comes over the transom. The Classic traveler (more precisely, the main sheet attaching to the traveler) would get in the way of an over the transom tiller.


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