Traveller

[Leo]

Will someone please explain the purpose of a Traveler, how it's locked in position and the method used to place it in position?

 

[Bruce Leidal]

Traveler 101

Leo,The traveler is used for fine adjustment of the mainsail. When beating the aft third of the top batten should be parallel with the boom. Also, to take the best advantage of the wind the boom should be at the centerline. To achieve this combination you need a traveler. After the top batten is adjusted properly, which requires different mainsheet adjustments based on wind strength, the boom will be to leeward be some amount. Bring it to center pull the traveler to windward.Without a traveler the only way to get the boom to center is to over-tighten the main. This will stall the back third of the sail and be very slow.Hope this helps.Bruce

 

[Don Guillette]

Traveler

Leo: The traveler is used to adjust the ANGLE OF ATTACK for the mainsail, which I'll be explaining in a week or so over on the sail trim forum. The traveler has nothing to do with shaping the mainsail. Picture your screen door with a pin at the edge, which fits into a grove you've cut in the floor. When you open and close the door, does the shape of the screen change? Nope, it doesn't. You need the traveler because there are pressure differtials at work on both sides of your sail.Generally, the more you trim in your mainsail with the traveler, the more power and lift it develops. When you drop the traveler, the reverse happens - less power and lift. So,if you get into a situation where your over powered - drop the traveler. If you want to develop power - raise it.The traveler and mainsheet work together to obtain the proper amount of twist in your mainsail. Try this simple procedure the next time your out sailing:1)Sail closehauled2)Position traveler so boom is near center of boat3)Trim mainsheet until top batten is parallel to the boom. The top batten can point slightly to weather and the top telltail should stream. If it doesn't, then ease the mainsheet until it streams4)Ease the traveler down and observe the top and bottom of the leech. If the top breaks first - trim in the sheet as you have too much twist. If the bottom breaks first - ease the sheet out as you don't have enough twist. you want the sail to break evenly from top to bottom5) Twist is now set6)Pull the traveler up to obtain 3 to 5 degrees weather helm on rudder. The reason is a little weather helm is a good thing because it creates lift on the rudder.Hope that answers your question. If you need anything further just let me know. Drop your question over on the sail trim forum and I'll get right back to you.