Traveler Conversion

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Neil Smith

Presently the main traveler on my H-27 is located aft of the tiller post. I will be converting to a Whitlock rack & pinion Cobra steering system when I haul the boat out in November. Normally I'd opt for a mid boom cabintop placement of the new traveler, but there's that really great dodger! I'm afraid that mounting the new traveler forward of the dodger will sacrifice efficiency in the main sheet handling. So here's my idea, don't blast me, you purists . . . What if I were to fabricate a "substantial" stainless steel bridge that copied and followed the lines of the aft portion of the dodger and I mounted the track & gear above the fabrication? Base mounting flanges would be just forward of the winches where the dodger meets the coaming, and would be back plated on the underside. As I see it, the benefits are 1) an improved hand hold (the ribs of the present dodger aren't made for any stress, but frequeltly captain & crew grab on to them when going forward or coming topsides, 2) the bail on the boom can be placed further aft than mid boom, result, greater control with less hardware required, 3) all lines can be routed neatly to the steering position, and finally, 4) I've eliminated the aft traveler arrangement and can steer without fear of being decapitated in an accidental jibe! Believe me when I say, I love the lines of the classic Cherubini, and I'd hate to modernize to the point of being ugly. Egads, I've seen similar arrangements on newer boats, and frankly, they look too modernistic for my simple tastes. But the more and more I think about it, if I am careful in the design, I think I can remain unobtrusive while being functional. What are your thoughts? Neil Smith
 
Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Hunter is getting the "arch" down the product line

to their smaller boats, so why not go all the way to the 27! As long as it follows the gently curving line of your dodger, it should not be "ugly", or horribly "modernistic". I say why not - good design and workmanship should blend well in with a well-designed boat, regardless of how "classic", and your convenience is the is the skipper's prerogative. Heck, there's people that put those newfangled stern rail seats on 27s... But now the crew (and captain) must watch out for accidental decapitation when going forward, and I assume that there will be no lines underfoot to contend with (as you said, "routed neatly" to the cockpit") :)
 
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terry dornan

what is the world coming to :(

an arch on a Cherubini. sad old sailor i be today (sniff) terry s/v stardust H30
 
Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
HARR, matey...

I was just musing out loud, giving a gentleman who is going to go with rack-and-pinion steering some phycological support with his musings. I still have a tiller and hanked-on jibs. Oh well...
 
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Ed Tamara

Arches

Hi Neal: I saw in Ft Pierce a South African boat very very similar to our Hunter 27 and they had the most amazing arch ober the stern rail in fact was part of the rail, it extended upwards and towards the back, but had an arch going forward that had the traveller with lines leading to the 2 ends of it, also the back of the arch had all the antenaes and the solar panels and underneath was a double davit for hauling the inflatable and the kicker it looked very functional and I kept it in my mind Maybe I'll do it one day, personally I installed the traveller just above the companionway and it has improved handling and is not interfering with dodger. Good Luck Ed
 
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Ed Schenck

Interesting design and I was. . . . . .

just about to move mine to mid-boom. Now I have to rethink it. :) Can you design it so that your dodger and a bimini can snap onto the forward and trailing edges? This would give you a full enclosure should you ever need it.
 
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Neil Smith

conversion

Ed, It seems to me that the natural combo to my present dodger would be a bimini and yes, my plans were to install the bimini as well. Frankly, the dodger provides little if no protection from Florida sun. Of prime concern if I decide to build this addition, is line handling. I'm affraid that were I to actually attach the dodger and bimini to the superstructure via snaps or any other method, I'd sacrifice orderly placement of the mainsheet. In the event I decide to build this design, give me you off line e-mail and I'll forward design drawings for your consideration. Neil
 
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Howard

Specs on tiller conversion please

Could you post the specs on your tiller conversion. I'd love to see you do a complete write up an post it on the picture section. I've thought of the same change on my H 27 (1978). I'd really like to see how you do it. Thanks Nelsonhow@aol.com
 
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Barry ( Hroc1028@aol.com)

something i have seen and sailed on

I have seen a 29 with a wheel and right in front of the wheel in the deck is a single turnbuckle where your pully block attaches. this is on a 29 seafarer and this works quite well believe it or not with ease of controlling your mainsail
 
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