I am interested in the possibility / feasibility of retrofitting a RollBar from the 290 to my '94 29.5 as I assume this is built on the same hull ?? The traveler and mainsheet setup on the 29.5 sucks - I often thought a stainless rollbar with a decent size traveler and with the main sheet all upp and out of the way would have been smart - then low and behold I see the 290 with the exact setup I had dreamed about... Could I Retrofit one of these setups to my '94 29.5 ??? Anyone....Hunter... anyone....
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Don't blame you
Clay: I guess I don't blame you. Just looked at the pictures of your boat and it looks like your traveler is about 15-18" long. If you real complaint is that the traveler is not any good, just contact Harken. They will make one up w/ the same bolt pattern and some new cars, you'll think you died and are in heaven. If you want to go all the way. Contact Tops-in-quality. They custom fabricate S.S. Their prices seem to be very reasonable and could probably fabricate anything you want. You will need to do some work w/them to get a platform made to be able to fit a new traveler to the arch (no longer need to refer to them as Roll Bars). Their web site is ( www.topsinquality.com )
Clay: I guess I don't blame you. Just looked at the pictures of your boat and it looks like your traveler is about 15-18" long. If you real complaint is that the traveler is not any good, just contact Harken. They will make one up w/ the same bolt pattern and some new cars, you'll think you died and are in heaven. If you want to go all the way. Contact Tops-in-quality. They custom fabricate S.S. Their prices seem to be very reasonable and could probably fabricate anything you want. You will need to do some work w/them to get a platform made to be able to fit a new traveler to the arch (no longer need to refer to them as Roll Bars). Their web site is ( www.topsinquality.com )
B
Bruce Grant
Couple of things
The best thing about the arch is the having the traveler control readily at hand. This is a huge benefit when racing or trying to get the most out of your boat in gusty winds. Keep in mind if you retrofit to an arch with end boom sheeting, you will have to figure out how to route the main sheet, in this newer design, the main sheet is run back to a sheet stopper by the winches on the cabin top. Its not a jam cleat like was used on the mid cabin traveler system, so you have to go forward to the companionway to adjust the main sheet BTW, really pissed of a Catalina 30 by being a minute behind him at the mark and crossing the line a minute in front of him, how you ask? Let me brag (I mean tell you), seems that my friend in the Catalina had full sails up (150 geneoa + full main) and in the gust would round up or heel excessivly, while I would ease the travler (full main and 110 jib) and catch up and then pass him (keep in mind I was single handing and he had a crew of 4). God that was fun. But the travler control at the helm is a huge benefit and change from my old H28. Regards. Bruce Neon Moon
The best thing about the arch is the having the traveler control readily at hand. This is a huge benefit when racing or trying to get the most out of your boat in gusty winds. Keep in mind if you retrofit to an arch with end boom sheeting, you will have to figure out how to route the main sheet, in this newer design, the main sheet is run back to a sheet stopper by the winches on the cabin top. Its not a jam cleat like was used on the mid cabin traveler system, so you have to go forward to the companionway to adjust the main sheet BTW, really pissed of a Catalina 30 by being a minute behind him at the mark and crossing the line a minute in front of him, how you ask? Let me brag (I mean tell you), seems that my friend in the Catalina had full sails up (150 geneoa + full main) and in the gust would round up or heel excessivly, while I would ease the travler (full main and 110 jib) and catch up and then pass him (keep in mind I was single handing and he had a crew of 4). God that was fun. But the travler control at the helm is a huge benefit and change from my old H28. Regards. Bruce Neon Moon
But, but Bruce.
Bruce: If he has his traveler control is there how important is the main sheet? The main sheet could be routed back to a jam cleat or some other arrangement next to the helm via a couple of blocks! Besides, have you looked at what they are dealing with on the 29.5? The traveler is only about 2 long neck long. Having the traveler move over a distance of 8-9 feet would be a big improvement.
Bruce: If he has his traveler control is there how important is the main sheet? The main sheet could be routed back to a jam cleat or some other arrangement next to the helm via a couple of blocks! Besides, have you looked at what they are dealing with on the 29.5? The traveler is only about 2 long neck long. Having the traveler move over a distance of 8-9 feet would be a big improvement.
M
Mulf
Check out the later model 29.5 travelers...
My 1997 29.5 has the traveler on the cabin top. I think this was an option made avalable in later years. I've seen the earlier version and mine is much better. Allows full bimini, etc. Perhaps you can get the parts through Hunter, as it looks to me like it would be a very easy conversion. e-mail me if you have any questions at Mulf@aol.com
My 1997 29.5 has the traveler on the cabin top. I think this was an option made avalable in later years. I've seen the earlier version and mine is much better. Allows full bimini, etc. Perhaps you can get the parts through Hunter, as it looks to me like it would be a very easy conversion. e-mail me if you have any questions at Mulf@aol.com
J
John Blomfield
Every Option is a Compromise
At a recent show I was interested to inspect the 290 mainsheet and traveller and compare it with my 29.5 (1995). Like you I have thought about the limitations of my traveller but the new 290 seemed to pose more problems. I could see how easily the mainsheet could get caught up with the traveller blocks as described in recent forum article (see above) and there seemed to be an insufficient block ratio for the main sheet. It would also be difficult to adjust when single handed. I have dispensed with the line from my mainsheet that runs inside the boom to forward and have replaced the 3:1 blocks with 4:1 and the 3/8" line with 7/16". This makes the mainsheet very easy to handle when single handing in a blow. Again putting the traveller on the cabin top gives you a problem if you want to let out the mainsheet from the helm.
At a recent show I was interested to inspect the 290 mainsheet and traveller and compare it with my 29.5 (1995). Like you I have thought about the limitations of my traveller but the new 290 seemed to pose more problems. I could see how easily the mainsheet could get caught up with the traveller blocks as described in recent forum article (see above) and there seemed to be an insufficient block ratio for the main sheet. It would also be difficult to adjust when single handed. I have dispensed with the line from my mainsheet that runs inside the boom to forward and have replaced the 3:1 blocks with 4:1 and the 3/8" line with 7/16". This makes the mainsheet very easy to handle when single handing in a blow. Again putting the traveller on the cabin top gives you a problem if you want to let out the mainsheet from the helm.
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