Mainsheet traveller options

[rickinnocal]

Hello everyone.

I'm getting to the end of a project of completing a 54' wooden sloop that I bought with no mast or other sailing gear installed. This is how she sits today - except that the gooseneck has now been installed and the boom is fitted, not just sitting on the pilothouse roof.

I am now at the point, having stepped the mast and attached the boom, of deciding where to attach the mainsheets. The drawings, which I was fortunate enough to get with the boat, were drawn by Skip Calkins back in the late 50's, and show a line only system, no traveller, with the sheets attached to the end of the boom and to both outside upper corners of the fwd bulkhead of the stern cabin. (Option 'A' with the black lines in the picture below)

However, I am leaning toward installing a traveller either on the roof of the pilothouse, on an elevated track over the companionway hatch, and connecting the sheets to the boom at about the 2/3 point, (Option 'B' with the red lines in the picture below) or installing the traveller on the fwd end of the roof of the stern cabin. (Not drawn)

A sketch of the options...

She was drawn, obviously, with the intent of a wooden boom, and at a time when main sheets just 'always' went to the end of the boom. Her sisters were also built with roller furling booms, so mid-boom sheeting wouldn't have worked anyway.

The boom I have acquired is a Selden deep profile racing boom so strength, so far as using mid-boom instead of end boom, is not an issue. The pilothouse roof, and the stern cabin roof, are both amply strong enough. If I put the traveller on the stern cabin roof, though, it will involve a lot of work in re-siting the companionway, which is on the stbd side of the bulkhead, not in the center.

Anyone care to throw in their opinions or other ideas?

Richard

[sailingdog]

I'd go with end-boom sheeting rather than mid-boom. It gives you more leverage and would be simpler if you're singlehanding the boat.

[SVPrairieRose]

I converted to midboom sheeting and have zero regrets! If it's a simpler install and keePs line away from your feet and the mainsheet itself away from yourself and your crew then I say B! Goodluck. She's a pretty boat by the way!

[blt2ski]

While I agree generally speaking with SD, the "B" option looks like a line is running to the cockpit, so in this case, "B" might be an easier option singlehanding, along with NOT having to re align the rear door/cabin area. "B" to me looks like a modified German mainsheet option.

Generally speaking, I do prefer end boom sheeting etc.

Marty

[svsirius]

Just factor in how you will do dodger/bimini etc before you design mainsheet. While cruising you will want the cover.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I'd go with end-boom sheeting rather than mid-boom. It gives you more leverage and would be simpler if you're singlehanding the boat.

I think this is good advice, particularly if you want a dodger/bimini. I suggest you take a look at Garhaurer's mainsheet traveler system which could be mounted on a riser across the top of the aft-cabin coachroof. You might also look at adding a semi-circular track on the forward end of the forecabin coachroof that would allow you to vang the boom which would be difficult or impossible with a traditional diagonal vang to the mast base given the configuration of the coachroof/mast.

FWIW...

[sailingdog]

Assuming you're using the same purchase on both mainsheet setups, the A setup will give you roughly 30-40% more power based on just the position of the mainsheet alone... that can make a significant difference and might also be the difference between needing a winch or not. Also, it gives you more leverage when it comes to the traveler control lines, giving you finer control over the the main when trimming the sail position using the traveler.