Traveler Over Companionway on a 260?

[Stan Chapman]

I would like to get the main sheet out of the cockpit of my Hunter 260. What would be the down side of putting the mainsheet eye or a traveler on a sturdy strut that was mounted across the top of the companion way? I would raise this cross bar about 3" above the deck with risers on either side of the opening. Anyone done this?

 

[Tom Wootton]

It would interfere with "pop-up" canvas...

...but if that's not a concern, go for it. I doubt there's any existing backing (like the embedded aluminum under the jam cleats) you could use; you'll probably have to cut into the headliner. I don't consider the sheet in the cockpit to be a problem. Have you considered a rigid vang? It would give you most of the sail control options you have with a traveler, with less hassle and expense.

 

[Stan Chapman]

Main sheet over companion way

Tom, Thanks for your response. I have a rigid boom vang now and mostly just want to keep the main sheet up and out of the way. When I have guest riding in the cockpit the main sheet is in their face or over their lap when eased. I have seen travelers put at the foot of the companion way, but then it is always blocking the opening. Over the companion way seems a logical place to me. I might be able to engineer it to not interfere with the pop up canvas. I just have to wonder why no one else seems to have done it. Do you think a traveler would not be much improvement since I have a rigid vang? If not then I would just put an eye in the middle of the bar over the companion way. >>Stan

 

[Tom Wootton]

Poor man's traveler

I have a friend with a 26 who installed TWO eyes, one on each side of the bridge deck at the base of the companionway, rather than one in the middle. He decides which attachment point to use based on the point of sail. I imagine it makes tacking somewhat of an adventure, but it does allow pulling the boom slightly to windward for extreme close hauled sailing. And it gets the sheet mostly out of the way.