Mainsheet to Pedestal - Weak Link?

[Catigale]

Third; If, or when, the pedestal pulls loose, it will complicate steering and engine controls.

indeed...having just come from a 7 kt run up Vineyard Sound and finding the helm locked.....(see other thread)

[Catigale]

I dont think you will see a big enough effect with the vertical traveller you describe above Theo...you need to add a larger horizontal force to the boom to tighten the angle of attack to the wind

I had to pull with my full 200# weight mid-main sheet to get the effect I reference above.

I do have a set of Bill@Boats4Sail's EZ Cleats and might see if I can use the genny track for a traveller - bit worried about the lateral loads though....would like to see how it is mounted below first??

Frank - any experience on this?

[Frank C]

I did not understand Theo's objective w/the vertical traveler he described. However, during final steps to install my traveler, I have gained some insight on the pedestal.

There are beefy L-brackets bolted to my 26X sole, and the ped mounts to them. The problem is not with the L-brackets. The problem occurs when we transfer all mainsail loads to the top of the pedestal, and then through the pedestal to the floor brackets. I have changed the pedestal bolts to 3/8" eyebolts, earlier described at Removable Traveler thread.

This all has given me a different idea for a "Soft Traveler." Watch for another thread.

[Gerald Gordon]

Two comments:

First, my pedestal is the kind that also has the fold up table connected to it. It is bolted to the sole. That could get reinforced if it turns out that it needs to be.

Second, a travler on a mac....is that's like an air scoop on a Yugo?

The only travlers on board are I and the technical advisor in the bikini.

[Catigale]

Second, a travler on a mac....is that's like an air scoop on a Yugo?

I thought that too, Gerald, until I had a chance to try pulling the angle of attack of the Main manually on Vineyard Sound last week...Im sold......

Cat