Aside from increasing purchase of the main sheet what effect does the traveler have. For instance consider the traveler is cleated close to the dead eye and a puff comes I let out the sheet. Won't the boom go out as far as I let it that any place the traveler is cleated doesn't matter... Or should I uncleat the traveler at the same time. Or should I just have lots of slack on the traveler to let it go where it needs to go. Don't want to be dealing with 3 lines while soloing... jib, main, traveler release... upon tipping too far etc. What techniques are used here. Thanks
To get the most efficient sail shape you need to adjust the traveler, basically tight in the center when upwind and 1/2 to 2/3 out when downwind. If you are going downwind on a broad reach with the traveler in the middle you end up with a LOT of mainsheet out and the sail twisted and less efficient.
After saying that, you are not racing yet and just learning the boat so leaving it in the middle and ignoring the traveler is perfectly acceptable, the boat will still sail fine.
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Damon Linkous
Thought so. Close hauled going up wind. But why not 3/3 down wind w/ sail resting on shroud.
And, is there any reason to let out the traveler set in the middle when you're about to tip... just the sheet.
Don't want to be dealing with 3 lines while soloing... jib, main, traveler
consider sailing a sunfish instead of a cat then 🙂
Edited by MN3 on May 02, 2015 - 01:15 AM.
MN3
Thought so. Close hauled going up wind. But why not 3/3 down wind w/ sail resting on shroud.
And, is there any reason to let out the traveler set in the middle when you're about to tip... just the sheet.
I use this rule (loosely)
for upwind:
traveler is centered / cracked off a few inches if i am getting gusted and healing, cracked off a bunch if caught in a storm (to reduce excessive healing)
Downwind:
i generally will let it out about 1/2 way
if i am going very deep i will let it out about 2/3rds
if i am going ddw i will let it out as close to 100% as i can and keep pressure on the sail
you want to avoid sails on shrouds as much as possible to prevent chaffing
MN3
And, is there any reason to let out the traveler set in the middle when you're about to tip... just the sheet.
(upwind) YES! but a heavily sheeted main (esp on your h18) will probably not move with all the friction on the traveler car.
if you could .... Letting (a centered traveler out) gives you a better chance of saving it (not capsizing) than letting out the main (since it will have a greater change on your "ANGLE OF ATTACK"
MN3
goodsailing wrote: Thought so. Close hauled going up wind. But why not 3/3 down wind w/ sail resting on shroud.
And, is there any reason to let out the traveler set in the middle when you're about to tip... just the sheet.
Going direct downwind on a cat is very boring and slow, when you read downwind they dont mean direcrt downwind but zig zags downwind, which is normally the way. if you really want to go downwind then yes, you may fully open the traveler
And then apparent wind makes you close the sail more than expected on a monohull
onsider sailing a sunfish instead of a cat then 🙂
Done that. OK so I'll be dealing with 3 lines...
Letting (a centered traveler out) gives you a better chance of saving it (not capsizing) than letting out the main (since it will have a greater change on your "ANGLE OF ATTACK"
So then let out the traveler line first if you can, prior to sheet
but zig zags downwind, which is normally the way.
Running is not really desired... zig zag to reaches is prefered in any sailboat unless I suppose if you have a spin up.
So when is a capsize most likely.. upwind or on a reach. There's always turning upwind too to offset tipping pending how far the rudder is out of the water...
So when is a capsize most likely.. upwind or on a reach. There's always turning upwind too to offset tipping pending how far the rudder is out of the water...
I sail my h18m solo most of the time on inland lakes with gusty conditions and personally turn upwind when getting overpowered by a gust...have found out that I can change the angle of the sail quicker that way than letting out the sail and unless you are already going over you have a least one rudder in the water which all you need
Running is not really desired... zig zag to reaches is prefered in any sailboat unless I suppose if you have a spin up.
Especially with spin up you zig zag because of the apparent wind a beach cat can create. If you sail straight downwind you are going slightly slower than actual wind due to boat drag.
If you sail straight downwind you are going slightly slower than actual wind due to boat drag.
My bad.
So then let out the traveler line first if you can, prior to sheet
correct, but you can't on an h18 (if sheeted hard)
it would be faster to dump the main and try and head up (assuming you are sailing upwind)
downwind, if you get hit with a gust, you head deeper downwind - don't try to head upwind... that will seal your fate
MN3
correct, but you can't on an h18 (if sheeted hard)
it would be faster to dump the main and try and head up (assuming you are sailing upwind)
downwind, if you get hit with a gust, you head deeper downwind - don't try to head upwind... that will seal your fate
yea...I figured.. will soon hit the water with this thing.. as soon as I figure the righting pole
Edited by goodsailing on May 04, 2015 - 01:58 PM.
you head deeper downwind
Yet still let it out if it's not out already right? If traveler is center fixed on a beam reach. If you were already out then you're only recourse is head deeper downwind.
How important is a wind vane/ indicator on these or what will the tell tales tell you immediately prior to getting blasted. I realize looking at the water will tell you what's forthcoming too.
Edited by goodsailing on May 04, 2015 - 02:04 PM.
If traveler is center fixed on a beam reach.
on my cat, i would be cracked off a few inches on a beam reach
what will the tell tales tell you immediately prior to getting blasted
I assume you mean the tells on the sails...
blasted is in the 20+ range, i would pay attention to the water, other boats in front (or behind going downwind) and trying everything i can do to depower.
I have tape on my bridals . i can look at them all the time without taking my eyes off the water
MN3
trying everything i can do to depower.
I think that's another crux in not allowing getting blown over.. gusting to 20+ is pretty common around here when it's 15. Few options to depower.. plus it's tough to see gusts coming from behind...
I've saved several capsizes going downwind when gusts hit by going deeper downwind AND sheeting/traveling in some to let the wind behind me slice its way past the boat without catching the otherwise full mainsail, then dumping the main steadily as i round up before I get into shallow water - dagger boards UP as to not create more lift.