Traveler installation Macgregor 21

Joe · Jun 15, 2015

You'll lose the boom's leverage so you should add another level of purchase. Spread the load to 2 or 3 attachment points... the big issue is where to place the track. I've never seen a track placed forward of the boom's center... That would be my guideline. On a small boat this often results in placement in front of companionway, rather than on the cabin top. Tough call.

Joe · Jun 15, 2015

The drawing shows mid boom sheeting in the cockpit.... the pictured boat uses end boom sheeting. go figure... I think you can pretty much do what ever you like and it won't hurt. http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=137

centerline · Jun 15, 2015

JohnCTV21 said:
I am considering adding a traveler at midship to replace the aft main sheet arangement on my 1975 Venture 21.

Has anyone done this? What issues did you have/had since the instillation?
Was it worth the time and expense?

Any pictures or details of your project appreciated.

I already have a vang and single line reefing, so the roller reefing boom is out.

Thanks

On a mac 21, there is no advantage of putting the boom sheeting on a traveler.. the original sheeting arraingment is out of the way as much as its ever going to be. By moving it forward to the "bridgedeck" is only putting it in the way when sailing AND while at anchor... and the 21 is a great sailing little boat as it is. Use a boom vang for any sail trim you think you need that cant be done with the boom end sheeting..

On mine, I had a topping lift that raised the boom overhead when the boat was docked/moored, and a clip on the taffrail that was used to put the mainsheet in so it held it clear of the seating area and so I could access the taffrail mounted bbq without ducking... and Im 6' tall...
I have the same setup on my 25, but the taffrail is much higher so the mainsheet is held way high and to the side when not sailing...

Spend your time and money on improvements that will make it more functional and fun.

Another thing to do with the original boom end sheeting is, get rid of the original swivle cam cleat that is mounted on the rear corner, and route the sheet from the corner block to a turning block under or nearly under the tiller.. and put a swivle camcleat there... the sheet is much better operated from that position no matter what tack your on, and the line is never under someones foot, or butt...

Joe · Jun 15, 2015

However, John, I see your point for installing a real traveler... which you can't have without relocating the mainsheet forward of the tiller. I have seen many configurations like that... common to small boats with transom hung rudders.

IMHO, a cockpit located traveler track is no big deal with 2 or 3... none when single handing. I'd rather have it back far enough to just clear the tiller, instead of on the bridge deck. Driver can sit behind, or on coaming while straddling the track if he is trimming main and helming.. or you can just steer and operate backstay while letting the forward seated trimmers handle jib and main. The trimmers sitting forward can still move when needed without obstructing mainsheet/traveler operation... helmsman can duck under lifted tiller when crossing over. Passengers can sit in the back corner using pulpit as a backrest and watch the action.

Jackdaw · Jun 16, 2015

One other thing... no reason on earth your tiller needs to be that long. If you get a tiller extender (a great idea anyway), it could be cut shorter and you can still sit high and drive. Its a much better solution than a stick that reaches halfway up the cockpit. It might give you more flexibility on mounting a traveler.

Chief RA · Jun 16, 2015

Jackdaw will probably know what I am going to suggest are called, so here goes. Rig a short adjustable line w/ end clip on each side stern cleat. Snap appropriate one on boom end for side draw effect much like a thwarts ship traveller. A crossover cleat to cleat line might also work with a european jam cleat under end of boom to set the desired upwind angle draw? Chief

Jackdaw · Jun 16, 2015

JohnCTV21 said:
What type of loading should I expect so I can look for a traveler track of the proper strength.

Thank you

As you might expect, its a function of wind speed. Plug your rig numbers plus reasonable wind speeds into this calculator.

http://www.harken.com/MainsheetLoading/

BudGates · Jun 18, 2015

Learning to use a traveler is no big deal. Personally I don't like having a traveler in the middle of the cockpit. Instead I use a system much like the one shown in post #52 here: http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?90-Main-Sheet-Traveler/page4

Alternatively a rope traveler as, Chief suggested, would work well and be cheaper and easier to install than a rigid traveler. There are also a lot of good ideas here: http://www.glen-l.com/free-book/rigging-small-sailboats-5.html

Brian S · Jun 18, 2015

John, you say you want to learn how to use a traveler? What you should focus on is learning sail trim.

You can approximate the effects of using a traveler by doing vang sheeting. You will need a boom vang and an easily adjustable topping lift. You will then balance the boom between the opposing forces of the vang and the topping lift. This will allow you to set the amount of twist in the main. Then, you can use the mainsheet to control the sail's angle of attack. (The angle of the boom with respect to the wind direction.) The drawback to vang sheeting is that you cannot bring the boom to the centerline for lighter wind beating.

On a boat with a traveler, given enough wind to overcome the weight of the boom, while close hauled or close reaching, the mainsheet controls tension on the leech of the main, and thus the amount of twist. Then, the traveler controls the angle of attack. If there's light wind, even with a traveler, a topping lift (or rigid vang similar to Seldén GNAV, or a Boomkicker) will be needed to overcome the weight of the boom and induce twist in the main.

It would be much easier to rig a topping lift and add a vang, I think, than it would be to change to mid-boom sheeting and figure out where to locate a traveler. And easier than keeping end boom sheeting and figuring out how to mount a traveler bridge to the transom to clear the tiller coming over the transom. I have debated back and forth on this issue on my boat, and it still does not have a traveler.

Keeping in mind how vang sheeting works similarly to using a traveler, as I have explained, you should purchase and learn Don Guillette's Sail Trim User's Guide from the store here: http://shop.odayowners.com/prod.php?51998 It will get you sailing better than maybe 75% of the sailors out there. Except for Stu Jackson, Jackdaw, and Rich H. The three of them knows they stuff!

MacGyver · Sep 6, 2016

JohnCTV21 said:
I am considering adding a traveler at midship to replace the aft main sheet arangement on my 1975 Venture 21.

Has anyone done this? What issues did you have/had since the instillation?
Was it worth the time and expense?

Any pictures or details of your project appreciated.

I already have a vang and single line reefing, so the roller reefing boom is out.

Thanks

We have a traveler in our 21. It is in the cockpit and about in the middle of the cockpit. The helmsman sits behind it and the trimmer sits in front of it or on the coamings but still in front of it. I have some pictures. Not a hard project since there is easy access to the underside of the cockpit. We use a single bale on the boom and a 4:1 mainsheet. Having a traveler makes a huge difference in your sailing performance.

mm2347 · Sep 7, 2016

I agree w/ MA. I have an Oday 222 and my traveler is mounted just forward of MA. In 3 or 4 years the Ive miss the loss or convinence of cockpit space rairly but find using the traveler enjoyable and of course use it all the time . Prob a good sail trimmer and do without but for me a traveler has helped greatly.