Catalina 30 mainsheet
I had a 1987 Catalina 30 with the flat traveler track. I replaced the traveler and mainsheet saystem with all Harken hardware. I started with the mid-size traveler system and attached Harken track on top of the existing traveler track. The traveler ends swivel and it has fairly decent purchase. On the traveler car I piggy backed a double block with becket on top of a fiddle block with a cam cleat. I mounted a spring at the base of the fiddle block to help hold up the blocks when off the wind. I had three attachment bales on the boom. I believe I mounted a double block on the forward bale and single blocks on the center and aft bales. I used 1/2 line (for good handability) for the mainsheet. This system gave me a 8:1 ratio. Not being able to use a winch in this application, I felt this ratio was needed. I found that this system worked pretty well up wind. I never had any kinks in the line. Down wind I was able to ease the sheet out with only minor resistence. This system did have a few minor draw backs. In heavy air it could be diffulcult for some people to get the mainsheet really flat, even with a 8:1 ratio. You also had to be able to permanatly adjust the angle of the cam cleat-the wrong angle did not allow for adjustment of the mainsheet. Another draw back was that sometimes to adjust the mainsheet, you had to stand in the companion way hatch with one foot on the ladder and the other foot on the galley counter top. So much for a sanitary counter top! Also with a dodger this system is completely out! To summarize I liked this system and it worked well for me, but I had to live with it's drawbacks and cost. I also imagine any type of hardware could be used for the same effect. Good Luck!
