Traveler Removal

Jul 22, 2014
17
hunter 34 benicia marina
1985 H34. I would like to remove and replace my original equipment Schaffer traveler with a Garhauer. I have removed the end caps and the cars and have only the track to remove. I noticed that the track has approximately 15 equally spaced holes that were drilled into it and about every other hole has a machine screw thru it that attaches the track to the top of the cabin (I have removed one of the screws and confirmed this) the remaining holes have what look like a black plug or something in them. My questions are is it going to be difficult to remove this track without damaging something? What are the plugs, are they just fillers so that Hunter didn't have to waste using more machine screws than necessary to attach the traveler? My best guess is that there are no thru-bolted screws/bolts but rather just the machine screws that screw into a plate that has been glassed over similar to the plate that the rope clutches are attached to. Can anyone give me some advice from personal experience? Lastly if it is only the screws that hold the traveler in place then will I have problems separating the track from the deck that it is mounted to after all these years of just sitting there? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,107
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Forum member Ilanortho just did his and posted some fine info. There is a plate embedded in the sea hood and the end machine screws thread into a plate in the deck on each side of the companionway. The plugs are probably bedding material.. once you remove all the screws, the track should come right off with a little persuasion. Note that his track was mounted on "T" bolts requiring bottom access.. make sure the Garhauer track can match the original holes.. Scroll down on the pictures of this fine post !
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...-reinstall.176046/&highlight=sea hood removal
 
Nov 26, 2012
1,654
C&C 40-2 Berkeley
I have done this. I replaced mine with harken traveler. Big improvement having a working traveler. In my case, I had to drill new holes because the holes on the new traveler are spaced at 100mm vs the old traveler at 4". Those two dimensions are close but not exactly the same. You may have to do the same thing. The old track was not hard to remove. I had a couple of screws I had to drill out. Overall not too bad. Of course, the main concern is to bed it well with sealant so you do not get any leaks.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,221
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
The Garhauer systems use standard T track..... I would check first... you may not need to replace the track at all.. just the end fittings and car.
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,107
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
T-Track.. couldn't remember if that what they did.. They will custom drill one for you too