Traveler position

[gary]

So I could put on a larger dodger on my H22 I was wondering about moving the main sheet traveler to the stern. Any thoughts? What effect do you think the new position would have on sail shape, etc., etc.
Thanx in advance.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Gary,
I don't know the relationship of the H22 boom and main sheet to the proposed dodger.

Do some tests with a temporary line strung between the boom and the proposed traveler location. Put the boom and the "traveler car" in all possible positions and see if there are any obstructions. If not, I don't see why you couldn't move it.

 

[Clark]

It is certainly doable but I'd suggest you think it through. If you are thinking of moving the track, you may have issues with attachment hardware on the top of the transom - getting to the inside for nuts and washers could be real challenge. Also, the traveler/mainsheet fiddle could interfere with the rudder. If you really want to move things, consider using a bridle for the mainsheet and employing the vang to help with keeping the boom down when needed. Take a look at the Catalina 22's and 25's as an example of the way they do it. Their traveler is short (and raised above the tiller)but might give you some ideas.

 

[Ed Schenck]

To me a bimini for shade is much more important than a dodger. Maybe you cannot have a bimini because of boom location. For sure you will not be able to have a bimini with the mainsheet angled back to the stern from the boom end. A friend owns one and I think the boom end is about mid-cockpit. A traveler immediately below the boom end would be in front of the pedestal, a common place on some boats. Having it on the stern would have the mainsheet angled right over the helm.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Boom stresses

Also consider the attachment point on the boom. If you move it aft you are giving more leverage to the sheet and putting more bending moment (torque) on the boom. It may or may not be able to take that kind of force.
It would give you more mechanical advantage on making the leach straight but if the boom bends the sail will not only not get flat, it will bet more cambered due to it bending upward and pushing sailcloth into the sail.
FWIW

 

[Clark]

Ed nailed it.

It would be much better to set up a bimini and keep the traveler/mainsheet where it is (right at the companionway).

We used to own an H22 w/o either bimini or dodger but IMHO, setting up for a good bimini would be pretty nice with the 22 since there is no obstruction under the boom from the companionway all the way back to the backstay. 'Course you might need a "sailing window" but that works out well while cruising (I have one in our bimini and can see the sail shape and tells just fine)

 

[gary]

Re: Ed nailed it.

I appreciate the suggestions about the bimini, but they are really needed for shade. We sail on the coast of Maine up near the Canadian border. Keeping cool is not our problem.
A windbreak and keeping off the spray is the objective here. Also with the sliding hatch open we could have some standing headroom while still being under cover.
thanx

 

[Clark]

Maybe it would help if you could guesstimate how far back you need from the companionway the clear space for the dodger that you want. Another alternative (not a good one though) is to move the traveler back a foot or two to make room for a bigger dodger. That would place the traveler right in the cockpit and bark many a shin. Unfortunately, the end of the boom is about mid cockpit so moving the sheet to end-boom/stern has a full set of issues too.

Added: Another alternative not so bad as a traveler in the cockpit is to install a barney post. It can interfere with feet some but wouldn't be as intrusive as the traveler bar.

 

[gary]

Clark-
Please explain what a "barney post" is. I am not familiar with the term
thanx
gary

 

[Clark]

A barney post is a stainless or aluminum tube with a large plate on one end for attachment to the cockpit floor and a surface at the other for mainsheet hardware attachment. They're anywhere from 6" - 18" tall. Here is an example:

http://catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1901

A friend at our marina had one fabricated from aluminum for his C22. It is probably 3-4" in diameter and has a round mounting plate instead of a square one.

 

[gary]

I assume this does not allow for a traveler? Very interesting tho. Thanx for in input.

 

[gary]

When I go back and look at the link - of course it does not allow for a traveler. I sailed on and race crewed on a friends Cal 27 which did not have a traveler. It was an end of boom main sheet attachment and a block and cam cleat affair attached on the stern near the cockpit floor.The tiller was forward of this so no interference. I might be able to do something with this.
thanx again.