No Traveler

[Don Guillette]

Richard from Ashevill: I assume your talking about your C30. You can get away without a traveler on smaller boats but once you get past the 25' I think there is a disadvantage if you do not have one. Actually, I've never seen a C30 without one but I lead a sheltered life.The traveler only does one thing and that is to adjust the angle of attack, which is a very big deal. The other control that adjusts angle of attack is the mainsheet and it is a poor substitute for the traveler because once you start messing with teh mainsheet your also dealing with twist and draft position. If you do not have a traveler, then you have to make do with just the mainsheet.If you are interested in adding a traveler, I suggest you look at Garhauer marine. Check out their web site www.garhauermarine.com and see the great traveler they make.

 

[Richard]

Don; It's a Mac 26s

Don,I was thinking of trying to add a traveler, but the space available where the main sheet is set is only about two feet.Thanks for all the information you talk about. I have been sailing for about a year and a half. I am totally hooked, yet with a steep learning curve at present, your articles are a GREAT help!Richard

 

[Steve]

Vang Sheeting

If you do not have room for a meaningful traveler you could think about adding a vang and using it as your "sheet" while on the wind. The idea is that you use the vang to control leach tension i.e. twist, and draft while sailing upwind, while the mainsheet acts as a traveler allowing you to adjust the setting of the main sail to the wind as you would the traveler.

 

[Don Guillette]

Richard: In your case, I don't think I would bother with the traveler. I had a Catalina 25, with a little pee pee traveler, that was virtually useless. I think it was about 2' long. I had said that 25' is the dividing line but maybe it is 30'. I would want one on a Catalina 30 or any 30'and above.Do you have an outhaul and a soft boom vang? Is the Mac26 the one with the 25HP OB? If it is, could you comment on how it sails? I know how fast it motors - I used to see them flying by me as I was slogging my way to Catalina Island at 5 knots!! I also used to wave to my wife as she went by me on the Catalina Express. Some times she would not want to waste 5 hours going across so she would take the express. Actually, it was kind of peaceful and relaxing but after my sons decided to pull the same scheme and go with her I said enough is enough. Either we all go together or I ain't going - what am I, a floating home delivery guy. They used to pull the same crap on the trip back. They would stick me for breakfast and then tell me they had some pressing matter and had to get back quick so I'd get stuck bringing the boat back alone!! Steve's idea on vang sheeting is interesting. With a rigid vang you could get that to work.