Revised Traveller System

Posted October 7, 2009

Outlined below is a very simple and inexpensive alternative to a conventional traveller system.

The basic idea for an inexpensive traveller system for our MATILDA grew from this photo on the SIREN OWNER'S Website. The idea was originated (I believe) by Pat Regan.

This seems like a good opportunity to mention another great suggestion for individuals who like to make modifications to their boats at a reasonable cost. What follows is based on my experiences with E-BAY purchases.

In my misspent youth, I was a member of the Stratford Auto Club. One of my fondest memories of that time is spending many a Saturday morning touring the automobile wrecking yards (e.g Chants in London) looking for parts to replace damaged car parts from mishaps on rallies, driving skill tests, gymkhanas, ice racing, driving around Mosport etc. Since becoming involved in sailing, I have always regretted the fact that there are no boat wrecking yards, only marine chandlery stores selling high priced new parts for sailboats.
However, I believe I have found a good solution in the cyber store of e-bay sailboat equipment and gear.
My first experience has proven very successful. We have had a problem with the main sheet swivel cam cleat support arm bending from engaging the main sheet in the cam cleat (this arm was not designed to take the pressures associated with the main sheet demands of a Matilda), with the result that sometimes when we thought the main sheet was securely cleated, it would release under pressure from high winds on the main sail, and then it was a frantic grab to recleat it properly. I have bent the arm back to its proper position on several occasions but it always bent again.
I have checked for replacement cam cleat swivels
Ronstan RF8 at a cost of $ 260.00 CDN + GST + PST
Harken #144 at a cost of $120.00 CDN + GST + PST
I spotted a Harken #144 (item #140042223965) on e-bay (although the ad did not specify this) for the unbelievable starting bid on $19.99, and it also included an excellent Harken block ( itself worth about $25.00 US). The bidding eventually worked its way up to $36.00 US where I was the top bidder. With the addition of $8.95 US for shipping, the total cost was $36.00 + $8.95 =$44.95 US + 13% exchange = $50.79 CDN.(plus no G.S.T.&P.S.T.) The item was shipped from New Jersey on October 23/06 and was delivered to our door on Nov 1/06.
The end result was that a superb solution to our problem was accomplished for less than half the price of a new part, and I received a Harken block as a bonus.
It is my belief that many good quality stainless and aluminum parts for sailboats do not deteriorate to any great extent over the years, and when a boat is wrecked, parts can live on.

I am sure that many other Wildwood Sailing Club members have had similar favourable e-bay experiences.

So, with the above experience in mind, we embarked on a quest to install a functional traveller on "WALTZING MATILDA" at a reasonable cost.

The Schaefer stainless fiddle block, universal head, adjustable cam #505-76 was an E-BAY purchase (list price West Marine-2008 cat. $175.00+freight=$12.00+ 10% exchange=$18.70+5%G.S.T.=$10.29+8%P.S.T.=$16.46 =$232.45) purchased on E-BAY for (52.00+freight=$11.86 =$63.86)

One objective was not to install a conventional traveller car and track with mid boom sheeting on the step into the cabin as that might interfere with access to the cabin and might get stepped on.

View of port anchor for mainsheet traveller.

View of starboard anchor for mainsheet traveller.

(Since this photo was taken, this anchor has been replaced with a Harken #144 identical to port side and also purchased on E-BAY).

Both anchors have substanial 1/4" aluminum backing plates installed.

This main sheet system has performed well for the last season (2009) and allows us to offset the mainsheet anchor to leeward, to flatten the main in strong winds and to offset the mainsheet anchor to windward, in light winds to maintain a full powerful sail. In normal sailing conditions, the mainsheet anchor system remains in the middle and falls ready to hand as compared to trying to reach behind you to uncleat or tighten the main sheet when on a starboard tack.

Another item that has proven to be very satisfactory are the Harken #150 cam cleats as they release and cleat without any great effort and do not abrade the sheets as much as the other cam cleats did.

A track with adjustable stops might be an improvement but this alternative does work well and just requires a little extra work to adjust the main sheet anchor position.

This is another approach to installing a traveller on a MATILDA.

A stainless tube was attached to the rear pulpit support tubes and a traveller track was bolted to the tube.

The stainless set screws were replaced with 1/4"- 28 T.P.I. bolts that extended thru the fitting to trap the back of the tube.