I have a 79 Day Sailor II, with mid-boom main sheeting. I'm considering adding a traveler to enhance sail trim control. Has anyone done this, and if so can you share pictures of your installation as well as any advice as to location, mounting, rigging, etc...? So far, it appears that Garhauer Marine has the most reasonably priced system. Thanks!
Traveler for Day Sailor
- Thread starter silversailor
- Start date
On a boat that size just secure a line to end of boom and draw it to upwind side drawing through port or st'bd stern cleat. Chief
Although there are more owners of DS Is that race than DS IIs (I also own a 1979 DS II), the DSA web site has an excellant discussion forum and I am sure you can get more advice then you will ever need about adding a traveler.
I had considered adding a traveler to my boat, but the finacial reality of now 14 years of being unemployed or under-employed has killed any thoughts of that (was just about to look into this when my first lay-off happened!).
Anyway, one thing you will need to do is either use a curved (arched?) track or make a pair of wedges to go under a straight traveler track to compensate for the way the seats are angled. Other than that.......best to inquire on the DSA forum (www.daysailer.org)
Good luck and post pictures here if you do make this upgrade.
Oh, and have you added a boom-vang already? I have found that the boom-vang helps a lot to reduce the vertical component of the mainsheet loads.Makes sheeting the sail in much easier.
I had considered adding a traveler to my boat, but the finacial reality of now 14 years of being unemployed or under-employed has killed any thoughts of that (was just about to look into this when my first lay-off happened!).
Anyway, one thing you will need to do is either use a curved (arched?) track or make a pair of wedges to go under a straight traveler track to compensate for the way the seats are angled. Other than that.......best to inquire on the DSA forum (www.daysailer.org)
Good luck and post pictures here if you do make this upgrade.
Oh, and have you added a boom-vang already? I have found that the boom-vang helps a lot to reduce the vertical component of the mainsheet loads.Makes sheeting the sail in much easier.
You can also look into "vang sheeting." Essentially, balance the boom between a vang and an adjustable topping lift, and you can control main sail twist. Then use the mainsheet to control angle of attack. You won't be able to pull the boom up over the centerline, but controlling twist is much easier with vang sheeting than just the mainsheet alone. And adding a topping lift is cheaper than a traveller. Well, all my boat have come with a vang, but they aren't too expensive, either. All this is elementary if you don't have telltales installed, and know how to read them...
traveler
Well put Jackdaw. I put a used one (boat fund is always too small) on my 222 and think its the best money Ive spent. Mounted it about a 1 1/2' aft of cabin on the seats. Used an ash (any good wood would work) piece of wood under the rail and 3 blocks of the same width each side at the ends to level the rail to the seat. (The 222 has seats that are lower at the back.) I love the ability to pull a line and change the position. Guess I'm the guy when its said that if an adjustment is easy it will more often happen than if its hard. It also makes it easier to tack when I'm alone. Yes there are compromises but love the plusses and I got use to the minus quickly. GET ONE!
Thanks to everyone for your input and suggestions! I'm still weighing whether the expense and modifications required will be worth it. I'm a cruiser, not a racer, and I sail solo more often than not, so it's one more control to manage by myself.
If I go with it, I'll post pictures. Thanks again!
If I go with it, I'll post pictures. Thanks again!