I am thinking of a getting a new mainsheet traveler and have started browsing the various vendor web sites and catalogues. I see that one big choice is going to be between a car with wheels and one using bearings (which ride directly on the track). I have been happy with the wheels on my old system and am wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages of the bearings design? Kevin
- Status
Beware bearings
Wheels with internal bearings work fine. The risk of freeform bearings is that they fall all over the place and quickly form little "plops" in the water as the roll overboard. I've done both, wheels are fine.
Wheels with internal bearings work fine. The risk of freeform bearings is that they fall all over the place and quickly form little "plops" in the water as the roll overboard. I've done both, wheels are fine.
Get lots of wheels.
Kevin: A few years ago, I upgraded the Schaefer car on the traveler from a 4 wheel unit to the 6 wheel unit. Additionally, I added purchase (from 3:1 to 4:1) to the traveler control by getting a double stack of blocks on the car. (My boat was a H33.5 - 1989.) The results were outstanding. The added purchase and the smoother running car made a huge difference in our ability to adjust and tune. Good Luck. RB
Kevin: A few years ago, I upgraded the Schaefer car on the traveler from a 4 wheel unit to the 6 wheel unit. Additionally, I added purchase (from 3:1 to 4:1) to the traveler control by getting a double stack of blocks on the car. (My boat was a H33.5 - 1989.) The results were outstanding. The added purchase and the smoother running car made a huge difference in our ability to adjust and tune. Good Luck. RB
Harken and never looked back
We purchased a Harken unit several years ago. It has had zero maintenance (other than rinsing with fresh water). It still works as good today as it did the day it was installed. They will also custom drill the track to match the existing one so installation is a breeze. If you contact them, they will assist you in sizing one for your boat.
We purchased a Harken unit several years ago. It has had zero maintenance (other than rinsing with fresh water). It still works as good today as it did the day it was installed. They will also custom drill the track to match the existing one so installation is a breeze. If you contact them, they will assist you in sizing one for your boat.
Roller Bearings
Harken Roller Bearing Travelers are the way to go. Smooth operation, several purchase options to handle a loaded main. I replaced an old outdated wheel type traveler with the Harken system and man what a difference. Good Luck in your research. Darrel T-33, Aegis
Harken Roller Bearing Travelers are the way to go. Smooth operation, several purchase options to handle a loaded main. I replaced an old outdated wheel type traveler with the Harken system and man what a difference. Good Luck in your research. Darrel T-33, Aegis
Darrel, we did too
What a difference. For reference though, the Harken stuff uses ball bearings. The term 'roller bearing' refers to pencil like bearings used most often in automotive applications like wheel bearings.
Oh, in sailboats, roller bearings are used in winches.
What a difference. For reference though, the Harken stuff uses ball bearings. The term 'roller bearing' refers to pencil like bearings used most often in automotive applications like wheel bearings.
Oh, in sailboats, roller bearings are used in winches.Fred, looks like Harken uses both!
Fred, I do recall the Harken catalogue I saw contained a picture and description of a car with roller bearings. Although it appears most of the cars use balls. Certainly in the size I'll be looking at for a 27 footer the cars all use balls. Kevin
Fred, I do recall the Harken catalogue I saw contained a picture and description of a car with roller bearings. Although it appears most of the cars use balls. Certainly in the size I'll be looking at for a 27 footer the cars all use balls. Kevin
Traveller upgrade
Ron, I also upgraded my 35.5 traveller but I couldn't see the need for going from the 4 wheel to the 6 wheel car. The larger car was for increased loading, but the load remained unchanged. Instead, I increased the purchase on the control lines from 3:1 to 5:1. This makes pulling the main to weather in a big blow so much easier. I also changed the mainsheet to a 5:1/10:1, course/fine system which really makes a big difference pulling in that main as the wind builds. Re: bearings; Roller bearings are used for very high loads and low friction, ball bearings are used for lighter loads and low friction, wheel and axel are used for the greatest loading but pay the price of having the greatest friction.
Ron, I also upgraded my 35.5 traveller but I couldn't see the need for going from the 4 wheel to the 6 wheel car. The larger car was for increased loading, but the load remained unchanged. Instead, I increased the purchase on the control lines from 3:1 to 5:1. This makes pulling the main to weather in a big blow so much easier. I also changed the mainsheet to a 5:1/10:1, course/fine system which really makes a big difference pulling in that main as the wind builds. Re: bearings; Roller bearings are used for very high loads and low friction, ball bearings are used for lighter loads and low friction, wheel and axel are used for the greatest loading but pay the price of having the greatest friction.
Harken
I upgraded to a Harken midsize system on our Bene F305 three years ago. This is the best upgrade to date. It was worth every penny. Absolutely flawless operation in all conditions. When racing it is constantly being played with little effort. I found the best prices at PYacht.com. Harken also makes track with adjustable mounting bolts to fit old track holes.
I upgraded to a Harken midsize system on our Bene F305 three years ago. This is the best upgrade to date. It was worth every penny. Absolutely flawless operation in all conditions. When racing it is constantly being played with little effort. I found the best prices at PYacht.com. Harken also makes track with adjustable mounting bolts to fit old track holes.
ooh la la
If you can stand biting a financial bullet or two, treat yourself to a Harken windward sheeting car. The bearings are captive (can't fall out), the action is smooth, and being able to bring the traveler up from one side without having to uncleat the other side will spoil you for anything else.
If you can stand biting a financial bullet or two, treat yourself to a Harken windward sheeting car. The bearings are captive (can't fall out), the action is smooth, and being able to bring the traveler up from one side without having to uncleat the other side will spoil you for anything else.
Agree with Bob
When I had wy 1991 F310 built I had Beneteau replace the OEM deck and running rigging with Harken. Windward sheeting traveler on bridgedeck, Genoa cars and all blocks. Worth every cent.
When I had wy 1991 F310 built I had Beneteau replace the OEM deck and running rigging with Harken. Windward sheeting traveler on bridgedeck, Genoa cars and all blocks. Worth every cent.
Thanks for the input guys!
Thanks to everyone for their useful comments. I see that Harken now have captive bearings to address the problem of loosing the bearings when you remove the car, and they also have a line of tracks that allow for adjustable mounting bolts, rather than custom drilling. Looks like they are listening to the customers. And I also see that Schaefer wheel cars have a higher SWL rate than comparable sized/priced Harken bearing cars. With my size boat the small Schaefer gives me lots of excess SWL, but I'd have to move up to a Harken midrange to get about the same SWL. But that Harken Windward car sure sounds handy. Kevin
Thanks to everyone for their useful comments. I see that Harken now have captive bearings to address the problem of loosing the bearings when you remove the car, and they also have a line of tracks that allow for adjustable mounting bolts, rather than custom drilling. Looks like they are listening to the customers. And I also see that Schaefer wheel cars have a higher SWL rate than comparable sized/priced Harken bearing cars. With my size boat the small Schaefer gives me lots of excess SWL, but I'd have to move up to a Harken midrange to get about the same SWL. But that Harken Windward car sure sounds handy. Kevin
Tom and Bob (you too Kevin) The biggest disappoint
ment in my rebuild, is WHAT HARKEN TOLD ME. Ever since they invented the windward sheeting car, I have wanted one. They came out with one for big boats so I salivated. When it was the factory travelers turn to be LANDFILL last spring, I called Harken for part numbers. The customer service guys said "so sorry, won't work on your Hunter 34 with mid boom sheeting." I was stunned. Still am. Did you guys have to remind me of this? I went with the standard stuff with the 'no holes' track. Works great,,,,but *cry
ment in my rebuild, is WHAT HARKEN TOLD ME. Ever since they invented the windward sheeting car, I have wanted one. They came out with one for big boats so I salivated. When it was the factory travelers turn to be LANDFILL last spring, I called Harken for part numbers. The customer service guys said "so sorry, won't work on your Hunter 34 with mid boom sheeting." I was stunned. Still am. Did you guys have to remind me of this? I went with the standard stuff with the 'no holes' track. Works great,,,,but *cry
Re: windward sheeting car
I have used and agree that the Harken windward sheeting car is slick, but while we are beating the leeward traveller control line is never cleated so we are always able to move the car in either direction without having to mess with two control lines and in fact there is one advantage to not having the Harken car. When it is blowing stink and you need the traveller dumped NOW, with ours we release the windward line and it's down, but with the Harken it needs that extra pull before you can release.
I have used and agree that the Harken windward sheeting car is slick, but while we are beating the leeward traveller control line is never cleated so we are always able to move the car in either direction without having to mess with two control lines and in fact there is one advantage to not having the Harken car. When it is blowing stink and you need the traveller dumped NOW, with ours we release the windward line and it's down, but with the Harken it needs that extra pull before you can release.
No, that's just it
By NOT cleating the leeward control line you don't have to deal with it until it becomes the windward line. That's exactly what a windward sheeting car does. What's the point of cleating the leeward control line on a beat??
By NOT cleating the leeward control line you don't have to deal with it until it becomes the windward line. That's exactly what a windward sheeting car does. What's the point of cleating the leeward control line on a beat??
But you had to
uncleat it on the last tack because prior to that it was the windward line. What I'm saying is the (new) leeward line was the previous windward line. It has to be uncleated sometime, either during the tack or after it.
uncleat it on the last tack because prior to that it was the windward line. What I'm saying is the (new) leeward line was the previous windward line. It has to be uncleated sometime, either during the tack or after it.
- Status