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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Cabin Top Traveler

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djnajewicz
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/19/2004 : 20:53:21

I am going to install a cabintop traveler for my mainsheet and I am going to have the track bent in a radius to match the cabintop..... My question is does anyone know the radius of the curve on the roof on the companionway ? I know this will mke me "illegal" for racing, but that is not a concern for me. I vaguely recall someone had some detailed drawings of a C-25 on their site. Also for those that have done the mainsheet conversion - and do's and don'ts ? Thanks

Dave Najewicz
'82 SK-SR

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2004 : 21:04:47

Why go to all that trouble and expense on so small a boat, and if you're not racing? You're going to lose the poptop ability, compromise the companionway opening, and complicate your mainsheet system. Does the C25 really need a curved traveler?

Brooke

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2004 : 07:30:05

This is a C&C 24 I would think that Harken would have these specs. Some people put a short piece of genoa track on either side of the cabin running fore and aft and it allows them to push the track forward at the dock, making it easier to go down below.
[url="http://members.cox.net/mlhopper/catalina/c&c24.jpg"]C&C Traveler[/url]

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 08/20/2004 07:31:54

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2004 : 09:41:18

Hi Dave,

I know that this subject comes up from time to time and understand why some skippers might want to move the traveler. However, take a close look at the engineering you are pondering. If you move the traveler to a position where it does not interfere with your movement from cockpit to main cabin, it will have to be at the forward edge of the main hatch opening. That position on a C25 is very close to the boom vang hound on the boom. You won't have much mechanical advantage and may find that you have to increase the number of blocks in the system substantially.

The Capri 26 (now Catalina 26) has a cabin top traveler. Instead of the 3 to 1 block 'n tackle that we use on our C25s, the Capri 26 has to use a 4 to 1 block 'n tackle PLUS a winch. I sailed on a Capri 26 a few years ago on a breezy day and found trimming the main was very hard work.

Remember the old addage, "give me a long enough lever and I'll move the world." You are considering a pretty short lever.

Perhaps a better compromise - if you want to move the traveler forward - would be to move it to the forward edge of the cockpit.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2004 : 10:18:07

Dave: I think the first question is why do you want to move it? If you don't race, then the performance advantage, which I suspect is real, is hardly worth the trouble... If you want easier movement, you'll lose the pop-top and to some extent impede the companionway. If you use the slides Frank mentioned, that could increase the lever-arm Bill is concerned about, but that's getting pretty complicated (and doesn't make it easier to go below while under way).

Another consideration, assuming you have a pop-top (?) is that you'll have to mount the feet for the traveler where the halyards and other lines go if you lead them aft from the mast--that or shorten the hand rails to make space for the traveler. I assume you know that you should not mount it to the pop-top unless you make some <i>serious</i> modifications to the way it's dogged down.

BTW, I am suspicious that the radical curve on that C&C's odd traveler doesn't work well when tacking on a beat in a good breeze--note that it's just centered in the picture. Besides, I think it looks worse than a Hunter arch!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/20/2004 10:27:47

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2004 : 13:02:35

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Perhaps a better compromise - if you want to move the traveler forward - would be to move it to the forward edge of the cockpit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

That's what I did -- see my posting on a workable TR bimini -- and it's a huge improvement in the boat. I also went to a 4:1 purchase, and now the set up is perfect.

Brooke

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djnajewicz
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2004 : 08:51:45

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and observations...I may think a while about the final location.... before I start drilling holes. I always hated the mainsheet system on the 25 ( I have been "clotheslined" many times), and as we all know - the stock travler is basically useless. However, I do recognize that all sailboat designs are trade-offs.

I got a great deal on a what turned out to be a mid-range Harken travler ( right here on the swap meet), it has a 54 inch rail and can be mounted across the cockpit( either at the front ( near companionway) or at the back. I am still favoring the cabin top approach (I am strictly a daysailor and never use my poptop) although I need to think about upgrading the mainsheet to a minimum of 4:1 if I put it on the cabintop - I will also use a dual boom attachment point to spread the load on the boom - but you are all absolutely correct in that it will take more effort to trim this mid-boom than the current end boom. I will also lose some access to the cabin (probably hit my head on it).

Having sailed a lot in a catalina 27 with a cabintop travler, I was very impressed with the performance and control it added, and as I noted I am not a "club racer" I have been known engage in a lot of "unoffical" races with the local boats ( I just wish I could beat that guy with the Pearson 26 someday)

Again thanks for all the thoughts and ideas.

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2004 : 12:57:23

Dave,

I have pondered a cabin-top traveller to replace the "hangman's noose" that we all wrestle with.

Imagine one that would mount just forward of the splashboards slot. It would mount outboard of the teak handrails. While not in use, imagine that it could be removed by pulling pins on the beam ends to allow access and to allow popping the top. What would remain on the cabin roof would be small, tough connectors of some kind.

While in use, one would have to access the cabin by first sitting on the threshold, then lowering your body down into the cabin. Not graceful, but not unusual for accessing many small-cabin racing boats.

I haven't worked out the design yet, but there have been some very creative posts about it you may want to research in the archives. It is way down my list of priorities for upgrades.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2004 : 17:31:13

If I'm correct, someone posted this modification in the tech topics part of this web site a year or two ago.

I have been modifyig my GALLIVANT for 15 years. Frankly, this is one I wouldn't touch. There are too many other places on a 25 to bang your scull without adding another source of headache - literally and figuratively.

I will admit that mounting the traveler across the seats at the base of the cabin trunk has more appeal. I would consider it before the cabin top mod.

Al
GALLIANT #5801

Edited by - on

SJ
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2004 : 13:47:44

Many many moons ago I used to race on a Pearson 10M. The traveler was mounted right next to the companion way bridging the cockpit seats. Gets the main sheet away from your neck and off the cabin top and out of the way. A bit of a compromise when sailing getting down below when centered, but hey ease the travller down and slide on in....When at the dock, slide it down to one side.

Edited by - on

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