Testing a new Traveler Mod

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
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Rick Westlake
Captain
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Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:05 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Casa Rio Marina, Mayo, MD; MacGregor 26X, "Bossa Nova" - Bristol 29.9 "Halcyon"
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Re: Testing a new Traveler Mod

Post by Rick Westlake »

Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote:Every dodger I've ever seen on any boat, including the narrow ones for an X always extend as far forward as the boats companionway hatch. They never stop short allowing there to be a opening in the deck in front of the dodger when the companionway hatch is in the full open location.

Even in those pictures the boom mounting point is so far forward that you risk folding the boom in half in high winds. A Mac boom is a pretty light weight structure and the main can put quite a load on it along the aft half.
Duane, your post seems to confirm my choice of a "double sheet" or "triangle sheet" arrangement ... even over the traveler arrangement in the 26M.

José, had you considered that? It certainly is cheaper than the Harken traveler track, and the stock mainsheet-bail is further out on the boom than your traveler would be. I have been single-handing with it, no crew or passengers, but still it doesn't appear to be much "in the way"; of course, eu no sabe si a sua Almirante le gostara ... (Pardon my Portuñol! I learned my little bit of Portuguese in the old colonies - like my native "English"!)
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J.Teixeira
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Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:12 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: ARIANE - Europe - Portugal - Douro Valey - Dehler 24 - Bass Fishing
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Re: Testing a new Traveler Mod

Post by J.Teixeira »

Duane

I will try to move the "point" in the boom back to the winch's line. I hope to reduce the lever...

About the dodger and hatch you are right, but what I am considering for a dodger is a very small thing for spray protection on winter and high wind.

A complete cover like yours must be wonderful in your temperatures, but here with temperatures around 95/110 F. every day what I need is shadow of a Bimini and a big boom tent. And air moving...

So mi ideas are to have a small dodger for the winter installed with the hatch "half the way locked"

And a traveler over the hatch as back as possible.

The alternative would be to install two tracks over the hatch tracks and a triangular sheet" arrangement like Rick is suggesting.

The problem is that I have a very "conventional sailing mind" and I believe that a traveler is the right way to control the sail shape.

And YES Rick I am sure that most Admirals will like this MOD.

It was such a success that "Ariane" Main sheet is not "authorized" to return to the pedestal... :?

Jose
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