Weird (to me) traveler on a Mac 22

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skienuff

skienuff

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Aug 17, 2011
6
Catalina Capri 22 Mariners Marina, Barnegat
I purchased this Mac 22' last year from a guy who didn't own the boat long, and didn't know a whole lot about it. It has a funky raised traveler with an old Seaboard car. It is mounted with two large screws on each side to backing plates. It does flex a bit by hand. My sailing friend tells me its strong and wont flex as much when the boat is underway.

My question is, will this thing fly off the stern and consequently remove my head? :eek: I'm considering returning to the original bridal style mainsheet, or perhaps installing an eye near the companionway. I don't really need the complexity of a traveler on this boat.
 

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finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
That rig looks like something you win at the circus! Rigged by chimp.
I'd get rid of it asap.
If you wanted to use any of it you could cut it and use one of the strait pieces and attach it near the companionway. Make sure you put the ends on too. It should be solid with large washers for backing along the length of it. May be better than just one attachment point.
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
finding41 said:
That rig looks like something you win at the circus! Rigged by chimp.
I'd get rid of it asap.....
Click to expand
Ok I'll take the other side of the debate and say...




...try it. I don't believe those boats have a mid-boom main sheet like the S or D, so give it a shot.

It looks like the car rides on the middle and top part. If so it wouldn't be much for a welded to weld a middle bottom bracket on that then could be attached to the mid-point of the stern where where the main sheet is now attached. If that is possible it would give it a lot of strength.

If it works it would give better sail control and get it up pretty much out of the way. Not sure how the car is controlled. That would have to be worked out if it isn't already for it to be functional.

Sum

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K

Knuttle

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Sep 25, 2008
295
1970 Venture by Macgregor 21 Clayton, NC
one major problem

There is one major problem if you try to run main sheet from this set up. It may work with the boom on one side or the other, but you can not shift the boom from side to side because either the sheet or the boom will hit the backstay.

Could this set up been for flying a kite or some activity like that?
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
MrBill_FLL

MrBill_FLL

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May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
do you NEED a backstay? how are the spreaders setup?

like to see a few more pictures especially the backing plate and bolts. but sure looks like someone went to some effort. is that 4" alum or SS?

mby could be used for davits or solar array or tent?
 
walt

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,541
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
I wonder if something like that was intended more for a mid boom sheet/ traveler?

Ive had both end of boom sheeting and mid boom sheeting (with traveler) and like the mid boom with the traveler better.
 
Freedom77

Freedom77

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Jul 29, 2010
1,392
Macgregor 76 V-25 #928 Lake Mead, Nevada
Interesting?? Think Findings41 has the right idea. I agree that the boom might get tangled up with this contraption. Also, where does the red line through the block go. Is it running rigging to the mast top? Seems to me that there isn't much room for tiller port to starboard? I vote to get rid of the whoozit. A good tack could tear something loose. I favor mid boom main sheet and split back stay with tensioner. Had this on both our '22 and Freedom.
 
K

Knuttle

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Sep 25, 2008
295
1970 Venture by Macgregor 21 Clayton, NC
And now something completely different

I wonder it the previous owner had some type of weird canopy where the base fastened to the apparatus and then was supported by the halyards, the spreaders, something in the front.
 
finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
MrBill_FLL said:
do you NEED a backstay? how are the spreaders setup?

like to see a few more pictures especially the backing plate and bolts. but sure looks like someone went to some effort. is that 4" alum or SS?
mby could be used for davits or solar array or tent?
Click to expand
I bet someone did go to a bunch of effort to make that. But for another boat! I bet the contraption is just that, meant to hold on that traveler some PO found.
It takes a bit of talent to bend a traveler track properly and evenly. That's why I think it is just a "make it fit" type of installation.
I would try it cut into it's longest strait piece and attached by the companionway. It will give better sale shape and control.
Or just get rid of it and use that main sheet apperati / tight rope idea the boat came with. (I'm not keen on looking backwards to controle tha main sheet.)
 
Freedom77

Freedom77

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Jul 29, 2010
1,392
Macgregor 76 V-25 #928 Lake Mead, Nevada
Findings41 and I agree. installed mid boom travelers on both '22 and Freedom. You'll wonder why you didn't do it in the first place. Ya get better control, better sail shape and it's easier to reach. Sitting on the port side trying to steer and reach behind for the main sheet at the same time is a PITA. Still wondering what the block with the red line is?
 
skienuff

skienuff

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Aug 17, 2011
6
Catalina Capri 22 Mariners Marina, Barnegat
Thanks for all the input. I have decided to remove this from the stern and will modify it to span the benches across the companionway. I'm thinking I can trim it down as short as possible and re-weld the mounting plates. There is a bail mounted mid-boom. I plan to set up a mid-boom mainsheet with the traveler since I have the parts, plus I hear rave reviews about that setup. I'll post a picture when this is complete.
 
finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
Re weld the mounting plates? Mine mounts through the mounting holes in the middle of the track. Are you sure it is actually a real traveler and not something some one (Chimp) cooked up?
See the holes in the middle of the track. Screws or bolts go in them.
 

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skienuff

skienuff

.
Aug 17, 2011
6
Catalina Capri 22 Mariners Marina, Barnegat
Freaky traveler

It is definitely a commercially available traveler car and track (Seaboard brand) it looks old but the car and the internal sheeves all move freely. There is no slop between the car and track. There are verticle countersunk bolt holes The length of the track on approximately 4" or 5" centers. The traveler car rolls on cam follower style wheels. These parts can be found on the Rig-rite site (www.rigright.com) listed under Seaboard Travelers. I was going to make the stand as short as possible which will also stiffen it. My intention was to preserve as much track as possible to maximize the benefit. The track is currently bolted along the length of that contraption. It is all stainless and while appearing to be poorly engineered the welds are very well done. Other than flexing too much due to the height, it is solidly constructed.




finding41 said:
Re weld the mounting plates? Mine mounts through the mounting holes in the middle of the track. Are you sure it is actually a real traveler and not something some one (Chimp) cooked up?
See the holes in the middle of the track. Screws or bolts go in them.
Click to expand
 
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