Cabin Top Traveler and Main Sheet

[SpcAlan1]

My Islander 30 has a cabin top traveler.My Catalina 25 had an end-boom pulley for the sheet and metal bar for traveler - which never moved.

So since my new boat has a traveler and main sheet combo, it is impossible to reach the main sheet ( without stretching the main sheet out 4-5 feet, and then I cannot 'lock-it-in' because the sheet's locking mechanism engages the sheet with pulling up. You have to be very close to use it.

Is this the norm with cabin top traveler/main sheets?
How do you supposed to sail by yourself if you can't reach/modify the main sheet?

[knuterikt]

Your boat is probably not set up for single handing.

The traveler will improve sailshape if you use it.

You must look for a way to improve the setup.

Some pictures of your existing setup would help.

This is one solution called "German sheeting" i posted som pictures of my retrofitted solution a while back. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/genera...tml#post391262

[SpcAlan1]

Definitely not setup for single handling - I bette teach my wife how to 'ease-it-out'.

Instead of re-designing the main sheet I think I will be better off just adjusting the whole boat to the wind.

[JaredC]

Originally Posted by SpcAlan1

Definitely not setup for single handling - I bette teach my wife how to 'ease-it-out'.

Instead of re-designing the main sheet I think I will be better off just adjusting the whole boat to the wind.

Not true at all.

[SpcAlan1]

Or holding the main sheet with my hand ( which I did yesterday ).

[YeahJohn]

We have a cabin top traveler, the main sheet goes aft through a block and deck top organizer and then to a rope clutch. Simple single handing setup but not that cool for trimming main sail. I would love to have something a little more complex, but if you are looking for single handing ease this is it. So I assume that you have a cleat block combo, like a main cleat / ratchet cleat or a traveler car with cleat? Just remove it...add a single block instead and run it with a deck top organizer back to a single clutch... or run all of your lines aft and have a double or triple clutch on each side of the cabin with winches down-line if needed... I am not sure what you are looking for. This is the simplest solution and a common layout for fun sailing.

[Faster]

Best way to set up these types is as shown below.. either to a winch as shown or stoppers as described by YeahJohn

[SpcAlan1]

I will take a photo and post later.

[JimsCAL]

I went from a 30-foot racer-cruiser with a tiller and the traveller right in front of me on the bridge deck to a 33-foot cruiser-racer with deck top traveller. I knew I wasn't going to like the lack of easy adjustability and I was right. I have gotten into the habit of dumping the traveller in a gust, and that seem to work much better than trying to use the mainsheet.

[T34C]

Fast/Yeah- I'm guessing the issue isn't in the functionality of the current system but more likely that he can't REACH the current system from the helm. I have the same issue with mine in that I can't get to the mainsheet without climbing around the wheel. You can fix it by running the sheet further outboard (than Fasters diagram) and bringing the sheet back to a secondary winch further aft in the cockpit.