Mainsheet Gets Caught on Arch Traveler

[Steve Schwartz]

Disclaimer :I am new to using the arch traveler system and need some advise. During several days of 10-20 mph gusty wind sailing I would sometimes move the traveler to the far weather side and let out the main sheet so I had plenty of play in the traveler in case a puff or gust came along. Twice the excess mainsheet got caught on the traveler blocks during a tack (Scarry!) Hindsight is 20/20... I guess I could have reefed the main so I did not have to have so much play. Also I could have turned slightly windward and pulled in the mainsheet slack.Has anyone else had this happen and are there any comments on how to tack in heavy winds and still have a safety margin to let out the traveler should a puff come. Letting out the main sheet is not an option since I was singlehanded.Thoughts?

 

[Gary Baggett]

Center The Traveller

Steve, Glad to hear you have the boat in the water! I typically keep the traveller pretty much centered and dump it as necessary in puffs. I've never experienced the problem you described. And I reef when it gets above 15. Your last comment about letting out the main while single handed sailing is a good point. I've been trying to figure a way to get around the problem of not being able to easily release the main. Perhaps adda clam cleat aft of the line stopper? Any ideas out there?Gary"Corinne" H290

 

[Steve Cook]

Gary...

What I did that works very well on my 1999 H310 is this:1.) Take the 3" block off the traveler car and put it on the boom (behind or in front of the other block) reinstall a double 3" block on the traveler car and restring the main sheet at that end going over and under the two 3" blocks to the new dbl 3" block.2.) Install a Harken swivel cam clete w/bail. Mount where best placed for  your liking on the deck using a Stainless steel backing plate. Route the Main sheet away from the  rope clutch, you will not need it  for that anymore.I used the ex-main sheet clutch for my newly installed Garhauer RV-20 rigid vang.Also, I needed to make the main sheet line about 15ft. longer bcause of the 4:1 purchase created on the traveler.You will notice a "very" big difference as to how ez and well everything will work with this set up.Let me know if you need further help and/or part #'s.Steve,s/v The Odyssey (H310)

 

[Ray]

Steve...

where did you place that swivel cleat. I like your idea. I have done the same to our main sheet it really made a difference and what I like the most it freed up the winch for the jib sheet. I have had the #2 reef line catch on the traveler with the #1 in, cured it by always pulling in the slack in the #2 reef line when we have one reef in.

 

[Stephen Schwartz]

Excellent Suggestions

I echo Gary's comment. That is a great idea. I am used to having the main sheet more accessable for a quick release. Adding the 4 to 1 or 3 to 1 purchase between the boom and traveler must make it quite easy to pull in and the swivel cam cleet makes perfect sense to me. THANKS!