Pearson Boats - Common Systems > Deck Mounted Hardware
Traveler
selene:
FWIW: A quick update (in case anybody is interested!)
- I rejected the RigRite approach, as it would have cost almost as much as a new traveller but I would end up with an old traveller which now worked.
- I also rejected the lower-cost approach, as I wasn't happy with the mechanical advantage, or the placement of the turning blocks and cleats. I spent a while toying around with alternatives, but reluctantly decided it would still be like putting lipstick on a pig - the turning blocks would be improved, but the traveller car is definitely 1980s technology.
- Harken looked like it would work and be very sweet, but was very expensive (about 2x the alternatives).
- Lewmar said the old Ocean series would work, some are still available, but it's being discontinued. I would also have to bend the track myself, which means after it was anodized, risking (inevitable) cracking of the anodizing.
- Garhauer were very helpful on the phone (Guido), looks like it will fit, and they will custom bend (then anodize). Around $750. Even promised the bolt holes would line up with the originals...so that's the way I went, fingers crossed. The only catch is that the process takes around ~4 weeks, so I won't be sailing for a while.
The old track (currently in the hands of USPS) was straightforward to remove - end caps popped off, then 8 bolted screws each side (as I recall), silicon sealant so gentle prying to remove...
I'll take photos and update you in (hopefully) a month or so.
Dolce_Vita:
--- Quote from: selene on March 11, 2014, 12:01:19 PM ---FWIW: A quick update (in case anybody is interested!) ...
--- End quote ---
Thanks for the update. I'm definitely interested, as my traveler arrangement is even poorer than yours, with only a 2:1 advantage, no turning block, and the (horizontal) cam cleat mounted down in the recess, making it very difficult to cleat.
Between the friction of using the line-guide as a turning eye, and the 2:1 ratio, the admiral can't raise the traveler very far when going to windward. Every time, she reminds me "You've got to fix this!"
selene:
Ed, thanks for clearing up a mystery for me - I still have the small eye strap, and wondered what it was for. It also explains why the track ends about 5" from the cockpit sides (to squeeze in the cam cleat!). I am guessing that was the original setup.
An easy (and relatively inexpensive) upgrade is what I had. Add a single turning block with becket to the traveller car - e.g the NF610 block with becket (I may end up with a couple of new ones spare...), and then double turning blocks on both cockpit sides. It ups the advantage from 2:1 to 3:1, making it more manageable; the cost would be about $70 each for the double blocks (e,g, Harken Double Upright Lead Bullet Block). That seemed adequate for most conditions; you can see my old setup in one of the photos. However, in my case cleating upwards did not work well for me, as unless you are sitting on the winch (uncomfortable) or are putting your body in line with the mainsheet car (that could hurt) you tend to pull from the side - which trashes the sheaves.
Why am I looking at changing? In summer, winds here are generally 20-25 knots, often above. With the existing setup I could tune the traveller in those higher winds, but it was not easy. The disintegration of the old Delrin sheaves is what started me on this path. In addition to more mechanical advantage, modern travellers use new-fangled things called ball-bearings - which I am told take a lot of friction out of the system! So we'll see if the Garhauer setup works better than what I have now.
I'll keep you all posted...
Dolce_Vita:
Curiously, my blocks on the traveler already have the beckets, they're just unused!
I had been thinking of mounting a double block stack in the recess on a base to raise it up in line with the travler, and relocating the cam-cleat onto the top surface of the seat, leading aft. But it puts a lot of cantelever load on the base of the stack. I think I like your coaming mounted solution better. With suitable backing, and the cam leading aft instead of up, it is a better solution.
selene:
Okay, so you asked for it...still awaiting sea trials, but otherwise
The new Garhauer traveller arrived after about 5 weeks - each track is custom made (machined, drilled, bent) then anodised, which is what takes the time. I sent them my old track to ensure a perfect match, and they are as good as their word - the holes lined up perfectly, the curve was good, so installation was relatively smooth. The car itself is a lot beefier than the original, and well machined - it was very satisfying watching it move freely from one side of the track to the other with a gently push - the old traveller barely moved. You can see a comparison of the new and old traveller in the first photo. The second shows the end caps, and the third the full assembly. Overall quality appears excellent. I'll report back after a few hours sailing, but overall it looks like a very promising route for replacing the original setup. The cost was around $800 by the time new line was factored in.
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