C.al 27 info

[sailingfool]

I don't think I would move the traveller in your situation. You put it on the cabin top and the traveller controls and mainsheet become truly un-reacheable, as opposed to inconveniently accessible with a struggle. Whoever put the wheel in your boat must have wanted a wheel in the worse way, he should have bought a wheel already installed in a dfferent boat, and the different boat with it...

[countrybumpkin]

Originally Posted by sailingfool

I don't think I would move the traveller in your situation. You put it on the cabin top and the traveller controls and mainsheet become truly un-reacheable, as opposed to inconveniently accessible with a struggle. Whoever put the wheel in your boat must have wanted a wheel in the worse way, he should have bought a wheel already installed in a dfferent boat, and the different boat with it...

Yeah, point well taken. My wife is the one that wants the main sheet out of the way of the companion way.

CB

[Pteropod]

Originally Posted by countrybumpkin

I like having the wheel and navpod in front of me, but it really, really takes up space and I can't reach any of the sheets, unless I lean far forward. I have to rely on my crew to trim the sails.

I'm debating moving the traveler above the companionway to get it out of the way. Has anyone ever tried this on their Cal?
CB

I would rip that wheel/pod out and put it on Craigslist. A 27' boat is way too small to such a contraption. With a tiller you can stand in the cockpit with the stick between your knees and work your control lines, or reef the main, or tap the engine tach until it gives a realistic reading, or open a beer, or all of the above at the same time. If you're really good, you can even steer with your feet while you get seasick over (hopefully) the lee side.

I also have a Cal 2-27, and I also find that the traveler is in an awkward place for the crew/passengers. However, it is in a good spot for the helmsman (if you have a tiller). Some owners move the traveller to the inner side, or the top, of the transom, or just install a fixed padeye on the inner side of the transom (since the pushpit seems to get in the way of the mainsheet with all but the shortest traveller). That would give you end-boom sheeting, which many prefer, as it tends to but less strain on the boom.

Which gets us back to putting the traveller on the cabin top -- DON'T! You'll eventually put too much strain on the middle of the boom and snap it in two, since you'll have one hell of a lever-arm on the attachment point(s) for the mainsheet. Some modern boats rig their mainsheets in this fashion, but they have beefed-up booms and multiple attachment points to spread the loads.

I suppose that an old-fashioned elevated traveller (aka a "horse" in UK lingo) and end-boom sheeting might work, as it would allow the mainsheet to clear the pushpit. But, if you installed something like that, every yahoo in the marina would probably tell you that those went out with canvas sails. They're really made for boats with transom-hung rudders anyway.

[my1972ih]

before rebuilding the VIRE, pull the exhaust and inspect it. Many of them carboned up and left the engine with little power. With a clean exhaust and a good spark, they'll run forever. My 27 has one, the VIRE 7. by the way, the 27's of the vintage were offered with either an inboard or an outboard. When offered with an outboard, I believe they came with the transom cut out for access to the engine and an insert for the cutout when under way. FYI, I would not give up my VIRE 7. Use good two cycle oil, the right spark plug keep the coolant water flowing and the are bullet proof. They are a tiny but serious marine engine which was used for decades in many different boats.

[countrybumpkin]

just realized the original post is 2 years old.....