Anyone added a traveler to a 240? Has it been useful? Where/How did you do it? Thanks for any help you can provide. Nathan
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Better Options first
I have seen folks win races by spending their money elsewhere. The first thing to get is a whisker pole. This will really help down wind. Then make sure you have good sails. The Doyle Sails that came with mine were not very high quality but they should be fine for the first couple years of racing. Also few boats come with all the sails you need for racing. Lately I've have seen some folks save money by just getting a 135 RF Genoa and a cruising spinnaker. Some of these folks win even with this minimal sail suite. I think the traveller is the last thing I'd add, because it would really get in the way of anyone wanting to sit on the bridge deck while you are daysailing or cruising.
I have seen folks win races by spending their money elsewhere. The first thing to get is a whisker pole. This will really help down wind. Then make sure you have good sails. The Doyle Sails that came with mine were not very high quality but they should be fine for the first couple years of racing. Also few boats come with all the sails you need for racing. Lately I've have seen some folks save money by just getting a 135 RF Genoa and a cruising spinnaker. Some of these folks win even with this minimal sail suite. I think the traveller is the last thing I'd add, because it would really get in the way of anyone wanting to sit on the bridge deck while you are daysailing or cruising.
Heck if I know but I'd guess
I don't have a 135 or roller cruising as my boat is set up strickly for pottering around. I only use a self tending working jib and a no batten, no roach, no headboard cruising main. However if I was to set up with racing in mind there are some things I'd add along with the roller furling 135. The first would be a set of Adjustable tracks for the genoa blocks. I've seen some boats with two sets of sheets and two sets of tracks. For average power settings you have the sheet pull along the LP line of the sail. To power up you move the block forward on the track. To power down you move the block toward the stern. On a boat with out a furling genoa and without tracks for the blocks you can often get each sail to set properly with the same set of blocks by using a pennant at the tack of the genoa. While adjustable pennants may allow you to keep the proper sail trim as well as track for the blocks they have a major drw back. They raise the entire foot of the sail away from the deck. While this improves visibility for daysailing and is highly recommended for cruising, racers want the foresails to sweep the deck so that very little air spills under the sail. Wheather you go the old racers way of three headsails and a full spinnaker or the new racers way of a roller furling jib and a cruising spinnaker, I think I'd put on tracks and set up adjustable Genoa leads before I'd ever add a traveler. But The main thing that surprises me about boats like ours is that they are sold without a whisker pole and without the ring on the mast to support a whisker pole. Without a doubt a whisker pole is the first upgrade a stock boat needs. You can make one that works fine from and adjustable boat hook and a kit from west marine. Total cost is aboat fifty bucks. Downwind performance inmprovement is amazing. This is all just my opinion which I expect does not amount to much since it has been ages since I have raced. Racing technology and preferences change so fast, you'd be smart to find the Hunter Class Race winners and ask them. Most racers are pretty free with information on the basic set up you'll require. Have Fun Frank Ladd
I don't have a 135 or roller cruising as my boat is set up strickly for pottering around. I only use a self tending working jib and a no batten, no roach, no headboard cruising main. However if I was to set up with racing in mind there are some things I'd add along with the roller furling 135. The first would be a set of Adjustable tracks for the genoa blocks. I've seen some boats with two sets of sheets and two sets of tracks. For average power settings you have the sheet pull along the LP line of the sail. To power up you move the block forward on the track. To power down you move the block toward the stern. On a boat with out a furling genoa and without tracks for the blocks you can often get each sail to set properly with the same set of blocks by using a pennant at the tack of the genoa. While adjustable pennants may allow you to keep the proper sail trim as well as track for the blocks they have a major drw back. They raise the entire foot of the sail away from the deck. While this improves visibility for daysailing and is highly recommended for cruising, racers want the foresails to sweep the deck so that very little air spills under the sail. Wheather you go the old racers way of three headsails and a full spinnaker or the new racers way of a roller furling jib and a cruising spinnaker, I think I'd put on tracks and set up adjustable Genoa leads before I'd ever add a traveler. But The main thing that surprises me about boats like ours is that they are sold without a whisker pole and without the ring on the mast to support a whisker pole. Without a doubt a whisker pole is the first upgrade a stock boat needs. You can make one that works fine from and adjustable boat hook and a kit from west marine. Total cost is aboat fifty bucks. Downwind performance inmprovement is amazing. This is all just my opinion which I expect does not amount to much since it has been ages since I have raced. Racing technology and preferences change so fast, you'd be smart to find the Hunter Class Race winners and ask them. Most racers are pretty free with information on the basic set up you'll require. Have Fun Frank Ladd
Franks right, but...
A whisker pole is a really, really great to have. When running downwind, it can make a world of difference. Great for running wing-on-wing. (Don't forget to use a preventer too, though!) I disagree about the traveller. It's extrordinarily helpful in depowering the main when the winds get brisk. I wouldn't get a boat without one.
A whisker pole is a really, really great to have. When running downwind, it can make a world of difference. Great for running wing-on-wing. (Don't forget to use a preventer too, though!) I disagree about the traveller. It's extrordinarily helpful in depowering the main when the winds get brisk. I wouldn't get a boat without one.
Wish I Had A Traveler
Unfortunatly there is not any place suitable for them on these boats. Across the cabin top you'd knock your head, across the cockpit your knees get in the way. I would like to see someone design an arch. Seems it could be aft of the boom and you could even use it to hold your mast when the boat is on the trailer.
Unfortunatly there is not any place suitable for them on these boats. Across the cabin top you'd knock your head, across the cockpit your knees get in the way. I would like to see someone design an arch. Seems it could be aft of the boom and you could even use it to hold your mast when the boat is on the trailer.
Well, Merlin didn't have a traveler..
.. nor did many other race boats a short time ago. A properly-adjusted vang can do a lot of what a traveler can. I had a post on my T-Bird sloop and a good vang and it was a good combination. Nice to have the main sheet control at your fingertips. Same on my Columbia 28 and O'Day 27. Rick D.
.. nor did many other race boats a short time ago. A properly-adjusted vang can do a lot of what a traveler can. I had a post on my T-Bird sloop and a good vang and it was a good combination. Nice to have the main sheet control at your fingertips. Same on my Columbia 28 and O'Day 27. Rick D.
traveler
Put a traveler spanning the cockpit just in front of the storage lockers.Used wooden shims on the seats to level.Made a cutout in the headliner,marked and drilled from above.All Garhaur stuff.Best thing I've done for the boat.
Put a traveler spanning the cockpit just in front of the storage lockers.Used wooden shims on the seats to level.Made a cutout in the headliner,marked and drilled from above.All Garhaur stuff.Best thing I've done for the boat.
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