Dodger / Traveler / Tall Guy Question

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Apr 25, 2010
2
Cat 30 SoCal
Hello everyone. My dad and I have been looking for a Cat 30 for a few months now, and we've come up with a few questions. After much searching on the interwenetsites, we've received a lot of helpful things to look for, and many cool upgrades. We still have one question.

Let me give you some background. My dad and I are both big guys. He's 6'7" and I'm just a hair under 6' 6".

Okay, so why the Cat 30 then? Well, it's a good sized boat, and right now, we're not really looking forward to the increased maintenance costs, slip fees, etc. of a Cat 36.

So here's the question:

On a few Cat-30s with really nice dodgers, we've noticed they extend down on an angle to the back of the traveler, and then continue forward over the rest (the front) of the entry hatch. This allows the entry hatch to be opened ALL the way forward. But, the way the traveler is situated, it is just a hair too short for either of us to stand under. (Again, with the entry hatch all the way open. Part of what is great about the Cat 30 is we can both stand in the galley simply by popping the hatch open and sticking our heads out :D, and as this is the main place either of us would be standing up below.)

So, with all this in mind, is there a way to raise the traveler up about 1-2 inches without decreasing any kind of sailing performance? Would doing so present any additional problems? What would be the best way of going about doing this?

Finally, I'm pretty sure this could be done. (As over the last months we've seen everything from hacksawed galley walls to accommodate refrigerators and "custom" portholes "installed" in the hull.) The question is will doing so present any additional problems later down the road?

Thanks if anyone actually read this far.
 
Jan 22, 2008
405
Catalina 380 16 Rochester NY
Where exactly is your traveler? I assume its a cabin top mounted design? If it is, when would you ever stand under it?

I'm 6'5" and I would have to stand on the galley sink to have the traveler get in my way.

Below is a picture of my Catalina 30 before I bought it. The traveler is on the other side of the dodger. We took it down, because we like the openess without it...


If your setup is like that, I suppose you could remove the traveler (all 6 bolts) and make a new taller support frame for it. At some point you'll reach the limit on how long of a bolt you can buy so you might have to fasten the traveler base to boat and then attach the traveler to base...

Good luck!
 
Apr 25, 2010
2
Cat 30 SoCal
Well, we haven't actually bought our boat yet. The reason I brought this up is the last one we saw the day before yesterday had it's traveler out over the hatchway (so when you slide the companion hatch all the way forward, the traveler is hanging over the hatch opening. Perhaps it was a custom job.

So you took down the dodger? If so, then when you're hatch is all the way open, does the traveler cross over the opening or is it still forward of the hatchway?

Thanks so much for your reply.
 
Jan 22, 2008
405
Catalina 380 16 Rochester NY
I found an after picture without the dodger.



As you can see, the traveler does cut across the opening, but the overheard hatch doesn't quite disappear under the top, so it isn't a factor as far as head room is concerned.

You can see that in All U Get's photo too. Hid dodger folds down just before the traveler and is out of the way.

...i need to learn how to attach my pic's in a frame like that. A little less obnoxious!
 

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,804
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
All U Get

Any problems stepping on that solar panel? I would love to install one but not sure where!
 
Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Oh Oh

All U Get

Any problems stepping on that solar panel? I would love to install one but not sure where!
Hi Bob,
Not in the three years its been there, however it is vunerable. I thought a nice Bimini would keep a pair of them out of the way. This one is 65 watts.
All U Get
 
Jul 7, 2009
218
Catalina 30 Mark I Stockton, Mo
Team 118: You say you took your dodger down. Do you still use it, or would you entertain selling it? I would like to have one for fall sailing.

Mike
 
Jan 22, 2008
405
Catalina 380 16 Rochester NY
Mike;

I actually have the whole setup to enclose then entire cockpit, but for the life of me have no idea ho to set it up. Much of the fabric needs to have the thread replaced due to UV damage.

It wouldn't be worth the cost of shipping and re-stitching.

Thanks for the offer though!
Chris
 
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