I am a relatively new Hunter 23 owner. I am a long time sailer and my last boat was a J22. I have found that I don't like the location of the mainsheet traveler as if guests or crew are in the cockpit it's awkward to handle the tiller and the mainsheet without reaching over people. My J22 had the traveler mid cockpit so controlling the two was not a problem when seating aft of the traveler. When single-handing I could sit forward and easily control everything. So I have been thinking of moving the traveler to just forward of the aft hatch which would be mid-cockpit. Advantages would be easier control of tiller, traveler and mainsheet, less tangling with jibsheet lines and a new good seat in the cabin entry for a guest(wife likes that seat). Has anybody done this? Comments? I currently don't see a negative.
Moving Mainsheet Traveler
- Thread starter Saddle Sore
- Start date
Thanks Kermit,
Mainsheet is plenty long. After 10 years of sailing the J22 I seem to be uncomfortable reaching across people to control the mainsheet especially in heavy air. The mid-cockpit traveler was never a toe stumper in the J. Again the companionway makes a great seat without the traveler to sit on.
Mainsheet is plenty long. After 10 years of sailing the J22 I seem to be uncomfortable reaching across people to control the mainsheet especially in heavy air. The mid-cockpit traveler was never a toe stumper in the J. Again the companionway makes a great seat without the traveler to sit on.
Two words: tiller extension and sit farther forward. the boat sails better that way anyway. I've never been on a J/22 that didn't have a tiller extension, anyway.
The J/22 has recesses in the cockpit to keep the traveler flush with the seats. On the 23, you'd have to custom-make pads to provide a level surface for the traveler beam, which would make a rather annoying and ugly 4" wall on the seats. Or, only run the traveler between the seats - narrow enough that you might as well do away with it completely.
Since we generally sit on the high side, the companionway bulkhead on the high side is more or less clear while you're sailing, anyway?
or buy a J/22
The J/22 has recesses in the cockpit to keep the traveler flush with the seats. On the 23, you'd have to custom-make pads to provide a level surface for the traveler beam, which would make a rather annoying and ugly 4" wall on the seats. Or, only run the traveler between the seats - narrow enough that you might as well do away with it completely.
Since we generally sit on the high side, the companionway bulkhead on the high side is more or less clear while you're sailing, anyway?
or buy a J/22
You seem to know the trade-offs. I'd go for it. The end-boom sheeting is easier on you and the gear, and it closer to the driver for the good ol' 'ease-turn up-trim on' routine in puffs.
An wide, end-boom traveler. Just like god intended.
An wide, end-boom traveler. Just like god intended.
Traveler mid cockpit would have to be placed on the seats which are high. Not only does it take away seating, it is the safety of others with you when trying to step over and could fall. I had two customers do that and there were injuries one which was pretty serious. I err on the side of safety particularly in a storm where I would want a clean cockpit to get around in fast
Hunter put a lot of design effort into the 23, and I can't recall anyone posting on here about a boom failure - mainsheet effort is certainly not high with just a 4:1. Another downside - moving the traveler back is going to increase the amount of line you need to sheet out by probably 20-30 feet, which is a big pile sitting on the cockpit floor. Unless you reduce the mechanical advantage in the blocks, which is going to keep your effort unchanged.
Plus, with the original sheet location, roughly 80% of the not-particularly-large mainsail area is in front of the blocks to begin with. Going aft from an equipment loading point of view seems purely academic.
Plus, with the original sheet location, roughly 80% of the not-particularly-large mainsail area is in front of the blocks to begin with. Going aft from an equipment loading point of view seems purely academic.