H260: A different traveler design possible?

kenkindy1 · Mar 28, 2012

To have a traveler and the companionway "lift up" operational your arch would need to be around 4 foot from the mast base. I'm not sure you gain anything in performance by having it that far forward. You could always cut a new access panel in the headliner and add backing plates to through bolt if you go this way.

I like the mainsheet in the cockpit

inarathree · Mar 28, 2012

Not saying that you can or can't do it, but moving your traveller forward, also may mean moving your attachment to the boom forward. Some people like mid boom sheeting, some don't - i am sure that will spurn a conversation in its self.

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 29, 2012

I have seen a travelers added just in front of the entrance to the companionway which is about the only place. What ever you do, you will be thru bolting and make sure you use alot of sealant. You would of course need to check inside that the area udnderneath where the bolts would come out of the cabin ceiling that it is solid. Otherwise you would probably have to shoot some expanding foam between the ceiling and deck to make it stiff. Also you would need to have large washers under the nuts to spread the load. There is anther way of attaching the bolts but to be frank, I never found the need to have a traveler. Alot is in sail control which eleminates the need for a traveler on this boat.

Boy I bet there will be a long thread over my last comment. It is just one opinion.

crazy dave condon

BrianW · Mar 29, 2012

Sail Control??

I have a "mini-traveler" in front of the entrance to the companionway of my H-26, the main use I have for it is to be able to slide the main sheet tackle over for easier entrance into the cabin. It also serves to free up some cockpit space as an alternate attachment point. I had no idea some folks use it for sail control, I'll have to give it a try! :dance:

Frankly, I COULD probably use it to squeeze out a tiny bit more performance, but I'm not that kind of sailor. BrianW

cephius (Dave) · Mar 29, 2012

Block and tackle

I have a simple solution that requires no alterations. When I need to pull the boom closer to the center line without pulling down, I simply attach a block and tackle to the end of the boom and then attach the other end to the top of a life line stanchion on the windward side.

When I tack, the "traveler" goes slack. Once my course is set, I move the block to the windward side again.

This way I have a traveler when conditions require flattening sail, but I have no hardware in the way the rest of the time. This same block and tackle doubles as my preventer when I running downwind.

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 30, 2012

Cephius;

I replaced stanchions and repaired stern pulpits on several boats with folks using your attachment when used in strong winds. I urge caution in that use in strong winds. Food for thought.

cephius (Dave) · Mar 30, 2012

Thanks Crazy Dave. I go home when winds get to damaging levels

When it comes to Class C boats, I'm a fair weather sailor.

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 30, 2012

Thank you for being kind to me and realizing what I said. You take care of your boat while others don't. Have fun sailing.

The worst is getting caught in a hurricane off shore and once was enuf.

Crazy dave condon

suds · Mar 30, 2012

My traveler is located on on the stern, which is an ideal location. The only problem I see with this design is the bimini.

suds · Mar 30, 2012

Oops wrong pic

longterm · Mar 31, 2012

Crazy Dave Condon said:
I have seen a travelers added just in front of the entrance to the companionway which is about the only place.

That's where it is on a Catalina 30.

Bob

cephius (Dave) · Apr 1, 2012

On the H260 the boom ends in the middle of the cockpit, about 4 feet from the stern. If you lead the main sheet aft to a traveler, the sever angle of the sheet would make any adjustment on the traveler ineffective.

This doesn't even consider that the sheet would be going through the helm on H260s with that option and the traveler would be on the helm seat. Less then ideal.

When the Capri 22 was introduced, the traveler was right in the middle of the cockpit, spanning the seats, and the crew had to climb over it. I guess with "sport" boats sail control is more important than crew comfort.

If you were to add a traveler at the current sheet location on the H260, you would get the same results, splitting the cockpit. The traveler would be long enough to make significant main sail shape changes. One big difference between the Capri 22 and the H260 is seat height. This would be a major impermanent to us older sailors with bad knees on the H260.

suds · Apr 4, 2012

My Hunter 25 is a masthead rig sloop and the boom sheet is at the aft of the helm.

I'm guessing the Hunter 260 is a fractional

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 5, 2012

Corrfect on the 260 mast is a fractional rig.

crazy dave condon

jimfrankelly · Apr 20, 2012

Cockpit SS Arch

Sublime said:
I wondered if there is any way to reinforce the deck to accomplish this.
I've seen travelers mounted at the companion way and always thought that small traveler probably isn't that helpful except for moving where the mainsheet attaches.
I saw a boat (not a hunter) with a traveler design that arches over the companion way. It would give a nice long traveler, moves the mainsheet away from the cockpit, and still allows you to pop up the companion way lid.

The only problem is whether or not the deck is strong enough and if it's possible to reinforce it.
Here's my questionable rendering. Your thoughts?

The only feasible way of putting an effective traveler on a Hunter 260 without `splitting` the cockpit would be to put on a stainless steel arch like the big Hunters have. I have a 2002 Hunter 270 with a small traveler at the companionway. This traveler does have a positive effect on mainsail trim & I use a block & tackle from the mid boom attachment to the bases of the cabin top stanchions to compensate for the short length of the traveler.

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 23, 2012

The Hunter 260 was designed for trailering. Adding an arch, yu might as well as forget trailering as it would be most difficult getting the mast down. Then you have to worry about the added height when trailering not to mention the cost. These are reasons why no traveler was availble from Hunter

jimfrankelly · Apr 25, 2012

Detachable Traveler

Crazy Dave Condon said:
The Hunter 260 was designed for trailering. Adding an arch, yu might as well as forget trailering as it would be most difficult getting the mast down. Then you have to worry about the added height when trailering not to mention the cost. These are reasons why no traveler was availble from Hunter

I do not trailer my 2002 Hunter 270, so the SS Arch idea apppeals but the cost & difficulty of ensuring a strong attachment to the coaming when it was not designed with an arch in mind, have kept it at the "idea" level so far.

Another alternative would be to put a detachable traveler that would go from coaming to coaming on the seating area, just above the small companionway traveler now installed. I have seen ads for large sailboats that promoted detachable travelers that could be removed to facilitate socializing etc in the cockpit when not sailing. I would not be able to use the detachable traveler when sailing with my wife as she would not put up with climbing over it to get into the cabin etc. and has no intention of altering the cockpit cushions for such an arrangement.

H260: A different traveler design possible?

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