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Traveller woes!

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James Simmons
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/08/2009 : 14:40:28

I have a 1982 Catalina 25 FK with the factory traveller set up. I am having problems with with how to effectively operate it and am looking for advice:

-Trim: Any advice on how to properly trim the main using this traveller will be appreciated. When sailing on a close reach I pull the traveller car a couple of inches to windward to better trim the main. Is that far enough? Should I pull the car as far to windward as it will go before trimming the main? How about positioning the traveller when sailing off the wind?

-Design: The traveller lines are next to impossible to adjust when the main is loaded. For some reason they are not lead into the cockpit for easy adjustment. I found a thread in the archives where someone had made a class legal design change that lead the traveller lines into the cockpit but I was unable to view the photos. A schematic or photo on how to do this would be helpful.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2009 : 15:28:53

The stock traveler will not maintain sail shape beyond the corners of the cockpit, that is why a Catalina 25 must have a boomvang to sail properly and maintain proper sail trim on anything other than close hauled. Set your boomvang while close hauled and then the leech will be trimmed on other points of sail. As for how far to windward you should haul the traveler; rule of thumb is don't cross the centerline of the boat with the boom.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2009 : 15:51:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">rule of thumb is don't cross the center-line of the boat with the boom.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> OK, Since im new What exactly happens if this is done? While sailing, Ive often thought that in theory if you could get both sails past the center line you could sail directly into the wind. Obviously this would not work or someone would have done this. I'm just curious as to what happens or do you end up in the Twilight Zone.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2009 : 16:10:10

Remember the boat "flies" in two fluids at the same time, air and water. You cannot forget you have wings above the water and below the water all trying to work in concert to sail efficiently. It is interesting the "types" of people who are drawn to sailing, pilots are one of them. By the way, in very light air I will cross the centerline because if the sail is bagged for light air most of it is still to leeward even with the boom to weather.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2009 : 20:17:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by islander
 ...what exactly happens if this is done? While sailing, Ive often thought that in theory if you could get both sails past the center line you could sail directly into the wind.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You go backward. I've used this technique on boats such as catamarans that can get caught "in irons" (stopped head-to-wind) when trying to tack. Push the boom over to backwind the main, reverse the rudder, and back around so the boat is pointed onto the new tack. Then release the boom and away you go.

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2009 : 21:31:08

James - here's my traveler mod:-

If you have questions please e-mail me from the forum.

(Can anyone make the pics larger? They were larger in Shutterfly)

Edited by - Derek Crawford on 06/08/2009 21:32:54

James Simmons
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2009 : 05:31:23

Oops, I wasn't very clear! On a close haul I pull the traveller car to windward a couple of inches so I can better center the boom. I don't trim it beyond the centerline. I guess my question is does it make any difference if I set the traveller car a couple of inches to windward or as far as it will go to windward as I try to center the boom? Another way to put this is I am trying to figure out what effect the traveller car position will have on the mainsail shape when positioned either a couple of inches to windward or all the way to windward and the boom is centered?

Also, any general comments from those who race on how they position the traveller car at various points of sail and wind conditions would be appreciated. I find myself always looking back at the traveller thinking I should be doing something smarter with it!

I appreciate the photos. Unfortunately, only one came through and it is so small I am having difficulty figuring out the layout.

Is there a cleat out there that will allow a line to turn 45 degrees? A cleat like that would allow the traveller line to feed into the cockpit on each side making adjustment much easier.

Thanks for the input!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2009 : 08:28:00

The C-25 traveler is scarcely long enough to have any real effect, but there are a few basic principles about travelers.

1. In strong winds, moving the car to leeward ("down") increases the downward angle of the mainsheet, tightening the leech and depowering the main. The vang can help, too, but for maximum flattening on a beat, with end-boom sheeting, traveler down helps.

2. Moving the car to windward ("up") can help you get the boom closer to center, but also increases the lateral pull, easing the leech. The time to move it there is just before you tack. (Traveler down, tack, and now it's up--no pulling required.)

The condition of your main is also a factor... Vary things and watch your speed and course on the GPS. Don't go by where the bow is pointed... Getting the sail too close to center could increase your leeway as well as decrease your speed, even though it looks like you're pointed higher.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2009 : 08:28:33

Pulling the traveler to windward lets you bring the main to centerline with less downward pull and flattening, useful when you want a fuller shape. More often than not, my traveler is well to windward (considering it's limited range) when going upwind.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2009 : 14:39:14

I thought I would add to this email thread as well.

The traveler is used to change the angle of attack; hence, the wind direction.
As the traveler is moved inward an increase in the angle of attack is made, -- thereby more power to the sail. The result is an increase in lift.

The traveler affects the lift/drag ratio, and also affects heel. The idea is to get the maximum amount of lift.

For the most part, the traveler does not cross the center of the boat.

If the boat is overpowered, moving the traveler down will decrease the angle of attack and depower the sail, loosening the mainsheet can also be used to increase twist and spill air.

Best,
Deric

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2009 : 16:46:26

James - did you get my e-m?

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.