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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Traveler-Please explain

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John J.
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/21/2004 : 16:34:47

This marked the end of our first summer sailing. As I look back, I realize,not once did I use the traveler. In fact, I don't really understand the function of it. Sliding the traveler a few inches to one side, doesn't seem much different than releasing the main sheet a few more inches. Obviously there's a good reson for it, I just haven't quite grasped it.

1987 C 27
#6387

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2004 : 16:57:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John J.
 Sliding the traveler a few inches to one side, doesn't seem much different than releasing the main sheet a few more inches. Obviously there's a good reson for it,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

 
John,
You obviously know that when you ease the mainsheet you spill air out and go slower. You can use the traveler for the same thing and retain the shape of the main. The mainsheet will twist the main, in heavy air you can dump air out in gusts or puffs and then pull it back up, with the traveler, and still have the original shape. Also if you need to sail higher (closer to wind) the traveler can help you. Try pulling it up and see what happens. This is just a small explanation. The combination of the mainsheet, traveler, vang, and halyard tension will make all the difference in the way the main drives your boat. They all work together to shape the most important sail on the boat.
With all the adjustments try them and note the difference.
I recommend “Sail Power” by Wallace Ross. Ross’ book will be a bit heavy for a novice but will serve you well as you get used to the boat. Of course every sailor’s bookshelf has “The Annapolis Book of Seamanship” by John Rousmanier. The seamanship ship book is a bit thin on sail handling but has a good little section on the traveler.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2004 : 18:16:09

IMHO The traveller on the C25 is so limited (What do we get, a couple degrees of deflection off the centerline?) that unless you are looking to extract the last tenth knot of boatspeed or a wee bit of pointing ability... you probably won't notice much difference when out knocking around.

If I were racing, I'd use every control at my disposal, even our sadly limited traveller, but when casual sailing, I usually don't touch it unless I'm really needing to pinch up past an obstruction.

Our short transom mounted mainsail controls are just one of the design trade-offs of our boat. Keeping the main control aft gives more 'social' room in the cockpit... but at the expense of control.

I've pondered relocating the mainsheet controls to the front of the cockpit... complete with nice, wide traveller, but haven't gotten very serious about it yet. If I start racing the boat in our local PHRF fleet I may need to get busy on that project. I'd probably leave the old hardware intact for social cruising or C25 fleet racing.

With the stock arrangement, the boom vang becomes your your best friend for twiddling with mainsail shape. Play around with it and you'll notice quite a bit of difference. If your boat doesn't have a boom vang, I highly recommend adding one... it's only only a BU (boat unit) or so.

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2004 : 18:51:35

The C25 traveler is a bit limited but I still use it to point a little higher. Don't forget how effective good use of the downhaul/outhaul to change sail shape to power up or power down the sail. I'm looking at Ross's Sail Power on my shelf and agree with John G and reccomend it also.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5937 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2004 : 19:48:44

Bill Holcomb wrote a good article on "Pointing" that is posted at the following hyperlink:http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/snkpoint.html

The following excerpt explains the use of the traveler:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">One thing that many skippers can do to help pointing ability is to center or even move the traveler car to windward. Sheet out the mainsheet till the boom is centered or even slightly to leeward. If your maximum draft in the mainsail is at about 40% aft and your leach is smooth the mainsail should lift nicely. As the breeze pipes up, let the traveler down to compensate for heeling caused by the wind.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
When you ease the traveler to leeward, you don't usually see or feel a big change in the performance or orientation of the boat, like you do when you dump the mainsheet. When the boat is gradually becoming overpowered, you should first put tension on the adjustable backstay, then ease the traveler, and, if the boat is still overpowered, then you should dump the mainsheet. When the boat is grossly overpowered in a sudden gust, you have to do whatever is necessary to keep the boat upright, and that usually means you should ease the traveler first, and then, if the boat is still overpowered, you should dump the mainsheet.

There's a lot more good information in Bill's article on sail trim, helmsmanship, etc.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 11/21/2004 20:07:07

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2004 : 20:03:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Originally posted by John V.
The C25 traveler is a bit limited but I still use it to point a little higher.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
John is right about using all the controls at your disposal to optimize the sail function. However, having a fully battened mains limit you a bit. Bringing the traveler to windward when close-hauled in light air is helpful in getting a bit higher pointing angle & also helps keep the slot a bit more open with the jib in tight. This equates to a bit more lift & speed. Don't forget to pull it to the "new" windward side after a tack.

I've also found Sail Power to be a good resource.

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2004 : 20:26:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jeff McK
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Originally posted by John V.
The C25 traveler is a bit limited but I still use it to point a little higher.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
However, having a fully battened mains limit you a bit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
 
Finally some one who agrees with me about fully battened mainsails!

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