Traveler near, traveler far

[Peter Milne]

Arch Mounted Traveller

The traveller on our 430 is mounted on the arch, which is out of the way compared to one mounted in the cockpit, but that is where the advantages end.Underway adjusting the traveller is very ackward particularly in heavier winds. (The forces are much greater at the end of the boom than they are at mid boom.) As a result, you must climb out of the cockpit and hold on for dear life as you adjust the traveller. More current models may have better arrangements.Also, because it is mounted at the end of the boom, a 36" traveller (18" in either direction) makes the traveller less effective in terms of spilling air than the same sized traveller mounted at mid boom.Peter MilneS/V Blue Heron

 

[David Wolfe]

Behind the cockpit

The best place for the mainsheet to be attached is at the end of the boom. That means that the traveler is quite far aft. On our 1986 Hunter 45, the traveler is on the aft end of the ledge exiting the main hatch. The only problem we have encountered is that the traveler location prevents the bimini and dodger from being joined. On a centercockpit boat the traveler is easy to locate behind the cockpit and out of everybody's way but within reach of the helmsman or crew. Mounting the traveler on an arch may get it out of the way but that solution requires an otherwise unnecessary arch with its associated problems.

 

[Bob Bishop]

Mainsail Control

If I was to redesign where the traveler is on my Legend 35.5 it would be (although I really don't like them) on a cockpit arch where it could be attached close to the end of the boom. Where it sits now (just forward of the companionway and attached to the middle of the boom), although I can bring the traveler up on the weather side and sheet in, it still takes the boom vang to put the right shape in the main when close-hauled in a nice breeze. It also would make it easier for me when on the helm to make a safer jibe if I had the mainsheet close at hand.

 

[David L. Miller]

Travler.

I would like to have my traveler on the coach roof. This way I could have a longer dodger, a serious consideration in the rainy Pacific North West. A cockpit arch sounds nice, but I would be wary about raising the sail away from the COG. Although I don't have experience with an arch I would be concerned about ease of reefing and sailing characteristics when the wind picks up.

 

[SailboatOwners.com]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 9/23/2001:Where's the best location for a traveler?(Results by brand)Beneteau:50% Cabin top28% Cockpit arch13% Companionway05% PedestalC-C:38% Cabin top30% Companionway15% Pedestal15% Cockpit archCatalina:64% Cabin top16% Cockpit arch09% Pedestal07% CompanionwayHunter:41% Cockpit arch41% Cabin top11% Companionway04% PedestalMacgregor:34% Cockpit arch30% Companionway21% Cabin top09% PedestalOday:54% Cabin top22% Companionway13% Pedestal09% Cockpit arch