Greetings! I am a proud new owner of a 1977 hunter 27. I sailed the boat a few times last summer and was always dismayed by the location of the traveler. It sits in the cockpit about a foot away from the companionway. I hate this thing! The lines are always in the way, it looks ugly, I'm always stepping over it and I can't comfortably lay down without the taveler being in my backside. So, I'm currently trying to move everything on top of the cabin without the use of the traveler. I'd like to have it but the expense of getting it mounted properly isn't something I want to deal with. I have some ideas as to how i'll pull this off but this forum may change my mind. I appreciate the input...Ryan
Relocating/Removing the Traveler
- Thread starter buildingadream
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YOU GOT TRAVELER:?
I just purchased a H 27 also, 1981 that does not have a traveler. Practical Sailor gives the boat fair to poor on wind sailing reviews because of this. Having the traveler about a foot from the companionway was probably done by an avid sailor/single-hander for the ease of steering and trimming the main at the same time. I had a Pearson 30 that had the traveler behind the rudder post obver the lazerete and that put it out of the way, but it was end boom sheeting. You can mount it over the companionway but you will need to have an adequate track size to go unsupported from end to end. Original equipment on my H27 is a set of moltiple sheves and pullies connecting to 3 bails on the boom leading to blocks on either side of the companionway on the coach top. This arrangement does not allow sheeting the boom to the center line and is inefficient for trimming the main to correct for weather helm in heavier winds. Although your placement is inconvinient, it is common placement on boats that are actively sailed/raced.
I just purchased a H 27 also, 1981 that does not have a traveler. Practical Sailor gives the boat fair to poor on wind sailing reviews because of this. Having the traveler about a foot from the companionway was probably done by an avid sailor/single-hander for the ease of steering and trimming the main at the same time. I had a Pearson 30 that had the traveler behind the rudder post obver the lazerete and that put it out of the way, but it was end boom sheeting. You can mount it over the companionway but you will need to have an adequate track size to go unsupported from end to end. Original equipment on my H27 is a set of moltiple sheves and pullies connecting to 3 bails on the boom leading to blocks on either side of the companionway on the coach top. This arrangement does not allow sheeting the boom to the center line and is inefficient for trimming the main to correct for weather helm in heavier winds. Although your placement is inconvinient, it is common placement on boats that are actively sailed/raced.
I love my traveler
Ryan, I had a H28.5 that had the traveler on the bridge deck, right in front of the companionway. It was a pain in the *ss. I talked with Hunter about moving it up to the cabintop and they definetly did not reccommend it. Moving the traveler forward increases the load and the cabintop was not built for that load. Perhaps, with a ton of reinforcement and huge backing plates it will work. I learned on traveler equipped boats and never appreciated them until I sailed on a boat that had a rig like Manny's. I sailed that boat for a week (BVI charter) and never got the hang of it. It was controled by a single line and was VERY difficult to adjust. Minor adjustments to boom position required a major effort. Some have a similar arrangement but use 2 lines, one on each side. This would be much easier to deal with but you will still have the same issues with cabintop strength. I guess I'm just spoiled by the traveler. It's on the cabintop (by design) on my current H33.5 and works just great and is out of the way. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Ryan, I had a H28.5 that had the traveler on the bridge deck, right in front of the companionway. It was a pain in the *ss. I talked with Hunter about moving it up to the cabintop and they definetly did not reccommend it. Moving the traveler forward increases the load and the cabintop was not built for that load. Perhaps, with a ton of reinforcement and huge backing plates it will work. I learned on traveler equipped boats and never appreciated them until I sailed on a boat that had a rig like Manny's. I sailed that boat for a week (BVI charter) and never got the hang of it. It was controled by a single line and was VERY difficult to adjust. Minor adjustments to boom position required a major effort. Some have a similar arrangement but use 2 lines, one on each side. This would be much easier to deal with but you will still have the same issues with cabintop strength. I guess I'm just spoiled by the traveler. It's on the cabintop (by design) on my current H33.5 and works just great and is out of the way. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Traveller Woes
I suggest caution in any cabintop applications, the boat was obviously not designed with that in mind. Also, do not confuse appearance with function. The Mainsheet and Vang control sail shape. A Traveller allows the sailor to move the Mainsail in or out without altering it's shape. It's main function is to preserve sail shape and to control the impact of puffs and lulls without destroying it.
I suggest caution in any cabintop applications, the boat was obviously not designed with that in mind. Also, do not confuse appearance with function. The Mainsheet and Vang control sail shape. A Traveller allows the sailor to move the Mainsail in or out without altering it's shape. It's main function is to preserve sail shape and to control the impact of puffs and lulls without destroying it.
Thanks and keep the ideas flowing
I appreciate all of the input. Spent an hour at the west marine with 10ft of rope and lots of materials to make this right. Still not sure what to do though? I apologize to west marine cause I know the blocks didn't make it back to the proper home! I found some older holes on my boat where the traveler was previously located aft of the tiller. I'm considering moving everything back BUT it may impede my bimini. Its obvious where my priorities are...I don't want anything in my way, I want to lay down and not have a the traveler in my way yet, i want stability and speed and with comfort...The life we sailors lead!!
I appreciate all of the input. Spent an hour at the west marine with 10ft of rope and lots of materials to make this right. Still not sure what to do though? I apologize to west marine cause I know the blocks didn't make it back to the proper home! I found some older holes on my boat where the traveler was previously located aft of the tiller. I'm considering moving everything back BUT it may impede my bimini. Its obvious where my priorities are...I don't want anything in my way, I want to lay down and not have a the traveler in my way yet, i want stability and speed and with comfort...The life we sailors lead!!
You are only a few years away
from buying a bigger boat! Smaller boats are always going to have more issues with "how do I get all this stuff mounted so it works". The bigger the boat the less this is a problem. Alas, you have what you have. For what it is worth, if you go the cabin top route consider that if you don't install some means to move the traveler from the cockpit you will be reaching forward and shoving the traveler car and that can sometimes be physically impossible. My Catalina 30 was set up with out traveler car control lines and we would have to unload the main to move it sometimes. I checked out how much installing the necessary hardware would cost and for a 2:1 purchase it was around $300! Mr. Goldburg could get by for less but he was better at anticipating all the engineering issues than I.
from buying a bigger boat! Smaller boats are always going to have more issues with "how do I get all this stuff mounted so it works". The bigger the boat the less this is a problem. Alas, you have what you have. For what it is worth, if you go the cabin top route consider that if you don't install some means to move the traveler from the cockpit you will be reaching forward and shoving the traveler car and that can sometimes be physically impossible. My Catalina 30 was set up with out traveler car control lines and we would have to unload the main to move it sometimes. I checked out how much installing the necessary hardware would cost and for a 2:1 purchase it was around $300! Mr. Goldburg could get by for less but he was better at anticipating all the engineering issues than I.
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