Traveler

[dstewart100]

I’m interested in adding a traveler to my ’93 23.5, to improve upwind performance, and wondered if anyone has ideas about how to do this. The mainsheet is secured to a block attached to a formed fiberglass center hub at the front center of the cockpit, aft of the companionway. This hub is lower than the adjacent cockpit seat edges by approximately 4". My eyes tell me the only way to secure a traveler is at the center point of the hub, with the ends of the traveler floating free.My wife Susan and I sail SeaSons all the time on the coastal waters off New Hampshire.Does anyone have experience adding a traveler to this boat? Thanks in advance!

 

[Brian M H23]

Hunter 23

Uses the traveler right in front of the companionway, from coaming to coaming. You end up sheeting a bit farther forward on the boom, but on a boat this size it doesn't change much. Also, good clearance for a bimini! Just something to think about...If you wanted to keep it on that "hub" it seems to me like you could through-bolt to the sides of the companionway seats..but remember the traveler is less useful if it only spans the distance inside the seats.

 

[Jack h23.5]

I thought about this and this is what I would do..

build a mahogony bridge between the seats with a center support that ties into the mainsheet hub. Then fasten the track to the bridge. That would facilitate entering the cabin by sliding the car to one side. The bridge can be through bolted to the center hub and through the seats with a backing plate under the seat. Most of the time all the stress will be on the center hub. Anyway, thats my thoughts on the subject

 

[Jack h23.5]

No you were right

the picture is from a Precision 23, I was just showing the console. The 23.5 companionway is about a 1/2 inch above the seat. But the mainsail attach point is below the seat a few inches. You would need to build a bridge across the seats that is tied into the original mainsheet attachment point.

 

[Bill Roosa]

The two tackle solution

I don't know the 23.5 but if you have some way to attach a tackle to both toe rails then you could make those function as a traveler. The windward tackle controls the set of the boom and the leeward one controls the downward pull for twist and sail shape. Seen this on several ocean sailers and other than the extra set of lines to walk around they said it works great. Also allows positive control during a jibe which is a boon to single handing the boat.

 

[ruedi ross]

what I have done

to fine tune the boom angle on my 260 is run a line from the boom to a cleat next to the lifeline stancion. This way I can control the boom angle with the line and the downward pull on the boom with the mainsheet. I use a snapshackle on the boom end of the line in case I need to release it in a hurry.