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Lewmar Traveller

7K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  Shortman 
#1 ·
I am thinking of replacing my OEM Schaefer traveller on my 1985 Pearson 34 with a Harken or Lewmar. The Lewmar looks good, a little less $$. My two experiences with Lewmar have been a little troubling. 3 years ago installed some rope clutches that needed removal & replacement because did not quite work right. 2 years ago installed a folding wheel & the hub had to be replaced because it was so poorly machined. In both cases Lewmar was very good about replacement and I am very pleased with the products in service. But, the initial quality was off.
Any experience with Lewmar travellers, Size 2?
 
#2 ·
shortman if you can please post a pic of the travler on your boat with a measurement of total width please ? i have been thinking about adding a traveler and might make you an offer on your old one when/if you change it out.
just a pic and a number if you have it, i will take a sailing pic of it if you dont want to go take a pic just for me

thanks
 
#3 · (Edited)
Most likely either will be a good upgrade from what you're using now.... Our experience is you can't go wrong with Harken, but admittedly there's a price premium.
Plenty of folks hereabouts speak highly of Garhauer - from a price and quality perspective. Maybe check them out too.
 
#7 ·
Second this. Just purchased a Garhauer Traveler for m boat, and they went out of their way to help. Drilled the new track to fit my holes, and the quality seems great. The only drawback is that it is a little larger and heavier than some of the Harken travelers (if a couple of pounds make a difference and your are racing that nice Pearson 34). Nothing against Lewmar or Harken, though. Just loved the price and the quality.
 
#5 ·
I'd recommend looking at Garhauer. When I spoke with Schaeffer and Lewmar concerning the problems with mounting a traveler on my boat, neither was very helpful. When I spoke to Garhauer and Harken, they spent a couple hours each going over the possible options with me. For the amount of money you're going to be spending on a traveller, go with someone who will help support you through the selection and installation process. I'm probably going with Garhauer, since they're a good deal less expensive than Harken... but haven't fully decided yet.
 
#6 ·
I can't say enough about Harken. Last summer I had a problem with my outhaul car. Contacted Harken and they asked for pictures. Within one week they designed a fix and shipped it to me. They didn't charge because they wanted to see if it would solve the problem. It worked great and I no longer have any problems. Great company. Also, all manufacturing except for winches is done in Wisconsin.
 
#8 ·
I'm a big fan of harken. Lightweight, strong, very helpful over the phone when I called. When I told them I bought a length of track from WM and didn't get the rectangular washers that it was supposed to come with, they said no problem, we'll mail some out to you. No charge.

Garhauer has also been very friendly to me. They make heavy duty products that look nice, however I do have a fiddle block that is getting some surface rust on it. Not sure why or how, but it is. Garhauer is also pretty heavy, and on my boat, that makes a difference.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
 
#10 ·
Garhauer's making my new traveler as we speak (OK maybe not actually making it, but it's in the works.) I'm getting great support from them.

This "simple" project turned out to be a lot more involved than expected, since I had to make a new teak traveler bridge. Because there are four mounting bolts for the bridge that run through the deck, a standard 4" spacing for the track screws won't exactly fit. No problem -- I sent Garhauer a diagram of the bridge, and they are going to drill the track holes exactly were I need them. And they are going to curve the track to match exactly the curve of the bridge.

One thing to consider -- Guido (he's the Garhauer traveler guru) said they're running about four weeks from order to delivery. Not sure if that applies for a non-special orders, though.

Once it all arrives and I get the whole thing done I'll post pics.
 
#12 ·
Garhauer's making my new traveler as we speak (OK maybe not actually making it, but it's in the works.) I'm getting great support from them.

This "simple" project turned out to be a lot more involved than expected, since I had to make a new teak traveler bridge. Because there are four mounting bolts for the bridge that run through the deck, a standard 4" spacing for the track screws won't exactly fit. No problem -- I sent Garhauer a diagram of the bridge, and they are going to drill the track holes exactly were I need them. And they are going to curve the track to match exactly the curve of the bridge.

One thing to consider -- Guido (he's the Garhauer traveler guru) said they're running about four weeks from order to delivery. Not sure if that applies for a non-special orders, though.

Once it all arrives and I get the whole thing done I'll post pics.
Yea, 4 weeks, try 6 weeks, I am keeping my fingers crossed Guido finishes mine by the end of this week :cool:

Its not often a company can custom make items as they do for what they charge.

BTW...some of the new units look sharp, I will post pics hopefully in a week :D
 
#13 ·
Traveller update

Thanks for all the replies. A few notes.
A vendor (pyacht) that sells both Harken & Lewmar said Harken because much quicker on parts etc. which seems to follow my stated experience with Lewmar.
I too am a big Garhauer fan. I have their rigid vang and genoa lead car system but, as someone alluded to, their traveller is quite bulky. Also now that they are also selling through vendors, it looks like their prices have come up so thay are not so radically less than the Harken.
Large benefit to Harken & Lewmar is the mounting system, do not have to precisely locate bored holes as bolts, thru plates, adjust in grooves on underside of beam track.
I have not had luck posting photos on this forum but will email a photo if you wish. I think it's best to contact me through my listing here rather that me putting the address in the forum & risking even more spam.
Change out would not be until June @ earliest, if even this year, because I live 350 miles away and get there too infrequently. This work stuff gets in the way of everything.
 
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