O'day 28, 30, 31, 34 traveler "pedestals"

[TLW]

My O'day 31 has the traveler mounted over the coachroof as do other models. The traveler is mounted/supported at each end on pedestals. I would like to drill holes through these pedestals to lead halyards and reefing lines to the cockpit winches through stoppers.

My question is regarding the composition of the pedestals. They appear to be FRP shells, but have a solid feel and solid sound when tapped. Does anyone know what is inside? (wood block? other coring?) The screws holding the traveler track to the pedestals have a different on-center measurement than the bolts or machine screws extending through the backing plates inside the cabin. I would hate to start drilling horizontally only to run into vertical fasteners or aluminum framework.

Anyone have experience with this????

 

[Harlan]

Been many years but I replaced the original traveler with a good recirc ball traveler on my '83 OD34. Not sure the 31 is the same but would guess so. I added teak blocks to the top to allow using a straight track rather than the original curved. As I recall the supports are just heavy glass layups with an aluminum plate (3/8" or 1/2" thick?) in the top that is threaded for the traveler bolts. I drilled through the plate and used nuts rather than tapping it. The 34 has an access plate on the headliner so you can see exactly what you are getting into short of knowing the embedded aluminum plate is in the top. Drilling through for lines would mean that weather could get into the pedestal and headliner. You would either have to glass in a tube which would be a fairly complicated job to get the holes straight, the tubes installed and sealed, and then everything finished and gelcoated to look decent. Or you could fill the whole pedestal interior with thickened epoxy to make it solid and then drill through that but then you loose access to any traveler bolt nuts and would have to depend on tapping the aluminum - tapped aluminum with SS fasteners and saltwater isn't my favorite combination. On the 34, once through the traveler pedestal you would then have to go through the cockpit coaming in a similar fashion, or if you go over the top of the coaming, the stoppers and winch would have to sit up high on blocks. Not a very neat installation IMO.

I have crewed on boats with lines lead aft and would question that it is worth your effort. To reef you still have to go forward to remove a sail slug and you have to tighten the topping lift unless you lead that aft too or have a rigid vang. If racing, you end up with a crowd in the cockpit getting in each other's way rather than more spread out.

I put a small winch on the mast under the goose neck so I have better control of those lines. Much simpler approach than leading them aft and has served me well.

Just my 2 cents.