I'm interested in doing this after Bob told me about it and that is my story and I'm sticking to it as I respect him, but I guess I won't know until I try it.Let me see if I can draw some fire here: I don't think that any traveler implementation will decrease heel enough to be meaningful to anyone in the cockpit.
Anyone disagree?
Mike
Here is a quote:
from here....As the wind increases also start to lower the traveler to help keep the boat flats and reduces helm.
http://www.thunderbirdsailing.org/Articles/Tuning_guides/north_sails_rig_tuningguide.htm
I found some others along the same line. I guess the true test will come when the wind rises and Ruth's reaction to what the boat is doing. She is usually on the tiller and knows to turn into the wind if there is a gust or she feels uncomfortable and it helps since she has control over the situation. Ruth can easily tell a 2 degree heel change....say from 12 to 14, so if I can pick up 2 degrees we will be ahead of the game.
I think one thing that will help is the new sails. The old ones were really blown out and you couldn't get them flat at all.
If I get the traveler made I'll re-post back later in the summer as to if it was worth it or not.
About my operation, thanks for the concern guys, but hopefully it isn't a big deal. I had one 17 years ago and that was bad, now the way they do it isn't near as bad. I had a double hernia operation last December and was up and doing stuff in a couple days. They don't want you laying around, just not lifting anything heavy for a month. This is going to cancel or immediate return to Lake Powell. The first trip will probably be Idaho, Wyo in July/August. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize us going to Florida in the fall though.
c ya,
Sum
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