Re: Flicka mainsheet traveler alternative
That line will google up the words, but sadly no diagrams, on what some folks consider is a cruising alternative to deck travelers used for racing.
C'pete posted marvelous diagrams that show just what is gained by day sailors with travelers.
Litlgull has to have an alternative since a traveler can no longer be mounted in the back of the cockpit.
But others evidently consider rigging non-traveler systems for a number of reasons.
Reference to the title above:
quote: >"We've been unhappy with the Flicka's top stern rail-mounted traveler for some time, esp. with respect to its inability to flatten the sail or hold it down for upwind sailing.
>A boatbuilder friend suggested we try two mainsheets instead. So we attached two 4:1 block and pulley systems to the boom bail, and ran the other ends to bow shackles at each of the stern chainplates.
>The difference in boat performance was significant. We can position the boom anywhere, and, at least when the boom is more or less over the boat, we can pull down on it. This pull not only flattens the main, but keeps it from dumping in lumpy water. Yes, it means fiddling with two sets of lines when tackling, but the improvement in performance is worth it.
>The use of the mainsheets is a quick, easy, inexpensive alternative to a track-based traveler, and is out of the way, as well. A side benefit is that these sheets also serve as preventers.
>In addition to the above, we use a preventer, mounted mid-boom and to a stanchion base, as a way to pull the boom when off the wind, again to good effect. Mike s/v Eventide"
This quote probably originated from the Flicka 20 owners & admirers site.
[Looking at Bill's opening photo beginning this thread, it's easy to imagine the single blue lines in blocks,
seeing them doubled into two sets and terminating port & starboard to some point on the aft deck at opposite rails.
Traveler system would be disappeared. Sheets and traveler lines would not necessarily be dumped on the tiller!]
On an Ariel/Commander the 'stern chainplates' could be located anywhere just aft of the cockpit coaming using 1/2" U-bolt 'chainplates'.
The two sheet ends could be led directly to the primary winches on the coaming.
Or the tackle inverted and the sheets led forward along the boom....and back to the cockpit on top of the cabin.
I'm not sure this is a viable plan. Maybe the port & starboard sheets can be led aft from the mast - but more to the sides of the cabin to the coaming winches? And each line led from the mast foot to the correct windward sheet winch.
Mike's Flicka 20 double sheet rig seems to be an authentic alternative, and worthy of consideration.
With primary winches readily available for power, maybe the 4:1's could be downsized for gun-tackles
or TWO single to double block tackles. Less 3/8" sheet tangling in the cockpit.
Looks like a low-maintenance system to me.....without the traveler.....wudu aye no
Any interest in this?
2 Attachment(s)
Original Ariel setup with mods?
From the forum in Ben's post:
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperPiper on boatdesign.net
What's The Traveller Do?
A traveler may have 2 functions: It allows the boom to be brought up to centre when sailing close to the wind. And it can create some downward pressure when you want to flatten the main.
The twin sheets can also provide these functions: Use the windward sheet to bring the boom back to centre. And, use the leeward sheet to control downward pressure.
The leeward sheet can also act as a preventer for accidental gybes.
Playing the sheets would be a little more complicated. Which would you adjust to maintain helm balance? Adjusting 1 may require adjusting both. Maybe on a cruiser, it would not be so critical.
For some reason, twin sheets have not gained a lot of popularity.
Of course, any good thread requires pics. Here are the two Bingham-style drawings towards the end of the thread (minus the cat and mouse).
From user alan white on boatdesign.net:
Attachment 8704
From user MMNet SEA on boatdesign.net:
Attachment 8705
Although it looks like he may place his on the aft end of his cabin top, the original Ariel setup has them at the aft end of the cockpit. We've talked about this somewhere before, maybe in the context of using the boom vang as a preventer? But you could add 2 U-Bolts somewhere up on both rails (or use the stanchion bases if you have them), then use that attachment point to rig the second the mainsheet as a preventer when cruising in the tradewinds... :cool:
Last post of the thread - probably a cruiser: :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jim lee on boatdesign.net
If you put in that middle U-bolt I see in the pix, you could just use a single main sheet on lazy days. I bet after a bit you'd find that 99% of your days are lazy days.