Just bought a 1986 285 and I love the boat but dislike the way the traveler blocks the companionway. Has anyone moved the traveler above the companionway and does it affect anything?
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Bridge Deck Traveler
Take a look at the Hunter 31's and 34's of the same vintage and you will find a cabintop traveler setup. Installing a similar traveler on the 28.5 will probably require that you move the connections to the boom forward with a similar multiple block system. This may make the traveler adjustments more difficult to do from the cockpit. The stock bridge deck traveler on the 28.5 is fast and relatively easy to adjust from the cockpit even while single handing.
Take a look at the Hunter 31's and 34's of the same vintage and you will find a cabintop traveler setup. Installing a similar traveler on the 28.5 will probably require that you move the connections to the boom forward with a similar multiple block system. This may make the traveler adjustments more difficult to do from the cockpit. The stock bridge deck traveler on the 28.5 is fast and relatively easy to adjust from the cockpit even while single handing.
May not be a good idea
Joe, I have a 1987 28.5 and I deal with the same situation. But I found, after three years, that it's not such a big deal. In fact, I like that the main sheet is in the cockpit and so easy to get at when I sail alone. Yes, it does get in the way sometimes but I also find myself using it as something to hold onto when going below. Moving it to the top of the cabin has come up in this forum before and I seem to remember that it was not recommended because the cabin top in not "beffy" enough to handle the forces from the boom and sail. Plus moving the connection on the boom forward would make the leverage shorter and add more stress. I'd live with the traveler position for a while to see how it works out for you. You are right in saying that the 285 is a nice boat. I love it! And I didn't have to spend a ton of $$$ to get into it. My wife and I find it very comfortable for cruising in the bay and getting into some shallow anchorages. We have a shoal draft (4 feet). Good luck with her!
Joe, I have a 1987 28.5 and I deal with the same situation. But I found, after three years, that it's not such a big deal. In fact, I like that the main sheet is in the cockpit and so easy to get at when I sail alone. Yes, it does get in the way sometimes but I also find myself using it as something to hold onto when going below. Moving it to the top of the cabin has come up in this forum before and I seem to remember that it was not recommended because the cabin top in not "beffy" enough to handle the forces from the boom and sail. Plus moving the connection on the boom forward would make the leverage shorter and add more stress. I'd live with the traveler position for a while to see how it works out for you. You are right in saying that the 285 is a nice boat. I love it! And I didn't have to spend a ton of $$$ to get into it. My wife and I find it very comfortable for cruising in the bay and getting into some shallow anchorages. We have a shoal draft (4 feet). Good luck with her!
I agree with Bob
Having owned 3 Hunter boats all of the same design 23,25.5 and now the 28.5. I think moving the traveler would be a mistake. For a few reasons all ready mentions but also for ease of sailing. I also think the cabin top travelers don't look very good. When sailing to weather and playing the traveler in puffs to keep the boat on its feet on the cabin top would be allot of work. We have found we prefer the traveler where it is. When we sail my wife controls the amount of heel by playing the traveler. We have it set up so she can drop it down a few inches when we are healing more then she wants. This also makes the boat sail faster. If it where on the cabin top it would need to be so far forward that I am not so sure it would even work. You would need to in front of the main hatch and would need to build it up some way to get it up off the deck and I think under a heavy load you might rip the thing right out of the boat. Do you know about the Hunter 28.5 group on Yahoo groups? Cliff H 28.5 "Red Dog"
Having owned 3 Hunter boats all of the same design 23,25.5 and now the 28.5. I think moving the traveler would be a mistake. For a few reasons all ready mentions but also for ease of sailing. I also think the cabin top travelers don't look very good. When sailing to weather and playing the traveler in puffs to keep the boat on its feet on the cabin top would be allot of work. We have found we prefer the traveler where it is. When we sail my wife controls the amount of heel by playing the traveler. We have it set up so she can drop it down a few inches when we are healing more then she wants. This also makes the boat sail faster. If it where on the cabin top it would need to be so far forward that I am not so sure it would even work. You would need to in front of the main hatch and would need to build it up some way to get it up off the deck and I think under a heavy load you might rip the thing right out of the boat. Do you know about the Hunter 28.5 group on Yahoo groups? Cliff H 28.5 "Red Dog"
Doesn't seem worth it.
Another advantage to a cabin top traveler is a good dodger and/or bimini. But, to do it right, that's a lot of work.
Another advantage to a cabin top traveler is a good dodger and/or bimini. But, to do it right, that's a lot of work.
I wanted to do the same but...
When I first bought my second 29.5, I also considered moving the traveler from the top of the pedestal behind the helm, to the front of the companionway as it was on my previous 29.5. However it is much easier to handle the boom, by having the line right into the cockpit, without having to go around to adjust the traveler. In addition, the level of stress applied to the whole rig is much smaller. In a jibe under high wind, you can not hold the boom from swinging from one side to the other when the traveler is away from you, however when the traveler is right in front on you as it is in the 29.5, it is easy to hold the boon with one hand to avoid the stress applied to the traveler under high wind. The only advantage was the large one piece bimini, and that was the only reason that it matter at first. But after sailing for a while, I recomend leaving the traveler where it was originally designed to be. Hope this helps you to make the right decision. Happy sailing.
When I first bought my second 29.5, I also considered moving the traveler from the top of the pedestal behind the helm, to the front of the companionway as it was on my previous 29.5. However it is much easier to handle the boom, by having the line right into the cockpit, without having to go around to adjust the traveler. In addition, the level of stress applied to the whole rig is much smaller. In a jibe under high wind, you can not hold the boom from swinging from one side to the other when the traveler is away from you, however when the traveler is right in front on you as it is in the 29.5, it is easy to hold the boon with one hand to avoid the stress applied to the traveler under high wind. The only advantage was the large one piece bimini, and that was the only reason that it matter at first. But after sailing for a while, I recomend leaving the traveler where it was originally designed to be. Hope this helps you to make the right decision. Happy sailing.
Great advise
Bob & Forum Friends: Thanks so much for all the advice. Looks like I am going to give it a go with the traveler where it is. Since I too will be single handling the boat most times, it does now seem to leave it where it is. Thanks again! "We are the people our parents warned us about"
Bob & Forum Friends: Thanks so much for all the advice. Looks like I am going to give it a go with the traveler where it is. Since I too will be single handling the boat most times, it does now seem to leave it where it is. Thanks again! "We are the people our parents warned us about"
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