Poor Man's Traveler

[bmxer]

There was some talk on this, but the posts are several years old and either the links are dead or images removed. There way at one time a link on the mod tracker ... but its dead too.

Anyone with information on the Poor Man's Traveler?

[Billy]

I use the setup most all the time. Two mainsheets, one run to the port gunnel and one run to the starboard gunnel. This allows the boom to be placed at almost any point.

I take this one step farther. I also have a rigid vang that enables lifting the boom. With this combination i can really put a belly in the mainsail in a light wind or lull. And then flatten the main as the wind picks up. Really works great!

[Boblee]

Don't remember any discussions on this but I do have long periods away.
The standard traveller is a pain in that it blocks the hatch but how do travelers mounted on the Gunnels work around the lifelines?

[mastreb]

Don't remember any discussions on this but I do have long periods away.
The standard traveller is a pain in that it blocks the hatch but how do travelers mounted on the Gunnels work around the lifelines?

The windward mainsheet is the one holding the boom under tension and is pointed away from the lifeline. The leeward mainsheet is simply slack, and yes may be fouled in the leeward lifeline. Usually the leeward mainsheet is left "set" at the length for the opposite tack so the boom can simply swing around and will harden up at the right point when beating.

If you're going way outboard when running, you might unshackle the leeward mainsheet around the lifeline, but in that case you're not going to be tacking much.

It turns out not to be a big deal in practice.

[Billy]

There is no actual traveler. The two separate mainsheets perform the same function as a traveler but at a fraction of the cost--thus a poor man's traveler. I attach the mainsheet to a track car slide mounted on the T track of each gunnel.

[Barnacle Jim]

Ahoy,

This poor man could use a photo or two.
That Barnacle Jim is a slow learner.



Fair and sometimes unfair winds,


Barnacle Jim

[DaveC426913]

Ahoy,

This poor man could use a photo or two.
That Barnacle Jim is a slow learner.

You're overthinking it. It's simply two mainsheets - one to each gunnel.

[Boblee]

It seems to work for those who have it this way but certainly not cheaper? especially if you already have a std traveller as you have to create two separate mainsheets or at least one if you use the existing for one but also two fixing points unless you use the existing jib/genoa rails which are too far forward I would imagine?

[mastreb]

Here's another concept you could try that's simpler than a traveler, very effective, and keeps the mainsheets out of the way of the cockpit and the companionway. I've sailed it on other boats and it works just fine.



On a MacGregor,
You would put two stand-up blocks on each side of the companionway near but slightly forward of the winches, and two shackle blocks on the boom. Rig the mainsheet as shown in the photo above (you do have to go forward to the mast and then return, so you'll need two turning blocks as well).

This gives you single-sheet control of the boom with the ability to harden it up on the centerline. When you sheet it out, it will go out as far as you want to lee.

Very simple and effective.

[Barnacle Jim]

Ahoy,

He was a man of means, by no means.
He spent his paltry dubloons and pieces of eight on a traveler.
He owns the traveler, but now . . .
It's a poor man's traveler.

Story of my life, but I am almost convinced to purchase a traveler when i can.




Fair winds,


Barnacle Jim

[Gazmn]

My .02

[Barnacle Jim]

Ahoy Gazmn,

Nice job there! You've done a lot of work!
Let us hear from you once you start sailing.

Placing the mainsheet traveler as a bridge over the cabin and near the main hatch should be workable on these boats.
As you noted, taking the traveler off the bridgedeck certainly frees up room in the cockpit.
Your bridgeblocks seem to work; I suppose bridgeblocks could be made from wood, but in such a case, would need to be laminated, given the amount of stress so close to the mast.
My understanding is that within a seven foot span from the mast, there can be a tremendous amount of force if compared to something further away from the mast.
The pop-up on a Mac 26 C might not allow a traveler other than on the bridgedeck proper.

Let us know how the mainsheet works out for you in this set-up, won't you?
Will you have immediate access from the coxswain wheel; by that I mean do you plan to run a line back to where you will be sitting?
Or, maybe you can simply access the mainsheet easily enough at the cabin top?


There is something to be said in favor of having a traveler on the bridgedeck, though— quicker accessibility, perhaps; besides (as some have done) a cushion on the bridgedeck immediate in front of the traveler seems to offer an inviting area for someone to sit with their back against the cabin bulkhead. Yet, you are right, the mainsheet can be cumbersome.

I really like some of the suggestions from some of the salts such as the double mainsheet. My guess is that such an approach would take the twist out of the top of the sail as effectively as a traveler, but I don't really know. I wonder whether it would work well with a bimini.

Overall, though, the traveler seems a bit easier to use, but sure is a lot harder on the pocketbook. I noticed that one salt from Utah did machine one himself and probably had a lot of fun making it and saved some dubloons and pieces of eight in the process.

Thanks for sharing what you did!




Well, shiver me timbers; it's young Jim Hawkins!



Fair winds,


Barnacle Jim