Main sheet traveller equipment-

[Amati]

Anyhoo, I have a full width curved traveller on Amati, and I’m trying to figure a way to run jib sheets past it so I can install a couple of winches back by the tiller so everything is easily within reach.  
 

The big boat traveller and its support are imbedded on a solid support structure on the deck, so either I run the lines over or under it.  I’m not excited about a couple of holes under the traveller, so it’s either:
 

-routing the sheets to the free standing span in the middle of the track (blocks & friction & shit), or

- routing the sheets through a couple of fairleads on the ends of the tracks, which looks like it would align.  Since the sail is plastered against the 33.5 degree spreaders   before the main sheet car is hitting the end stops anyway, I can afford to lose a few inches  at the ends, but for the life of me, I can’t seem to ask the right question through the Internet tubes to find a car or endstop or something that would allow a fair lead to be attached to it so the sheets could be routed through that to avoid tangles.

Has anyone tried this? DYI? Is there a piece of equipment that Harken already has made and available for this application that would just slip on to the ends of the track, stay put, and be strong enough?

Here’s a shot that shows the traveler.

 

[Amati]

Something like these, except for big boat track

 

[Black Jack]

That is a big traveller. It does bisect the cockpit with a large portion of real estate. Working over and near the large car and getting to the sheets is already a challenge despite the advantages that you get.

I am sure you like the set up but I would be tempted to consider moving the traveller forward and install a main sheet post as you figure out the jib sheets making for a unobstructed cockpit. The jib sheets and the traveller sheets could be neatly done in close proximity making the working position easy for the second hand or solo skipper. You would still be able to get the twists from the powerful mainsail, deal with weather helm and depower as warrented shorthanded and still go forward without stepping over the high travellers gate.

 

[Snowden]

How are you going to get a good lead angle on your new winches with the jib sheet coming over the traveller? Looks like you would have to build a huge podium. I know you don't want this answer, but two tubes glassed into holes drilled under the main traveller seems like a much better solution. I doubt the loss of strength would be material.

Unless you bolt one of these to the end of the traveller support and take it round the outside at deck level?

 

[Amati]

That is a big traveller. It does bisect the cockpit with a large portion of real estate. Working over and near the large car and getting to the sheets is already a challenge despite the advantages that you get.

I am sure you like the set up but I would be tempted to consider moving the traveller forward and install a main sheet post as you figure out the jib sheets making for a unobstructed cockpit. The jib sheets and the traveller sheets could be neatly done in close proximity making the working position easy for the second hand or solo skipper. You would still be able to get the twists from the powerful mainsail, deal with weather helm and depower as warrented shorthanded and still go forward without stepping over the high travellers gate.

The traveller is structural. (! Light boats- engineered to the nth degree...)  And can the boom take a different main sheet point.  Sometimes a bridal seems the way to go, as you kind of imply, to get an unobstructed walkway.  Need to talk to an engineer on that one, but I’m wagering electric winches might be cheaper.  And lighter.  We’re not racing, so.....

 

[Amati]

How are you going to get a good lead angle on your new winches with the jib sheet coming over the traveller? Looks like you would have to build a huge podium. I know you don't want this answer, but two tubes glassed into holes drilled under the main traveller seems like a much better solution. I doubt the loss of strength would be material.

Unless you bolt one of these to the end of the traveller support and take it round the outside at deck level?

View attachment 442056

Yup.  I’m discovering it only seems simple.  Simple ideas on boats, as I should know by now, never are.... <_<   I’ve got a call in to the builder to find out what’s under the traveller, outboard.  

 

[sam_crocker]

Can you mount a turning block so the sheave sticks past the end of the traveller? It might be too tight, especially if the jib car is all the way aft on its track.

 

[Rain Man]

It looks to me like, assuming the boxes that the winches are currently mounted on are removed, the mainsheet track support structure could have a large slot cut in it in line with the existing track without reducing the strength of the structure much.  I would do that and run the sheets through there to a turning block, then to winches installed inboard beside the footwell.  

If you are concerned about local strength when the car is directly above the slot, glass a metal doubler in under the track on the top side of the slot, and screw the track to that.

I would also switch to a windward-sheeting car - I don't like the arrangement shown because the leeward side traveller control line always requires management which is a nuisance.

 

[hokie]

In that photo you'd be sitting on a winch mounted aft of that traveler; seems likely they'd be in the way. It's unclear to me how much closer you really need them; your arms don't appear unusually short. If you need to be closer then maybe move the wooden winch pedestals aft so they are directly on top of the traveler and put your mainsheet traveler gear a little further inboard. 

 

[Amati]

It looks to me like, assuming the boxes that the winches are currently mounted on are removed, the mainsheet track support structure could have a large slot cut in it in line with the existing track without reducing the strength of the structure much.  I would do that and run the sheets through there to a turning block, then to winches installed inboard beside the footwell.  

If you are concerned about local strength when the car is directly above the slot, glass a metal doubler in under the track on the top side of the slot, and screw the track to that.

I would also switch to a windward-sheeting car - I don't like the arrangement shown because the leeward side traveller control line always requires management which is a nuisance.

The windward sheeting car gear is sitting in the boat, ready to be installed.  Waiting to see how the COVID situation shakes out before going down to install it.  The curve of the traveller needed tech to catch up to it.

 

[Amati]

In that photo you'd be sitting on a winch mounted aft of that traveler; seems likely they'd be in the way. It's unclear to me how much closer you really need them; your arms don't appear unusually short. If you need to be closer then maybe move the wooden winch pedestals aft so they are directly on top of the traveler and put your mainsheet traveler gear a little further inboard. 

It’s more that I can’t see enough of the jib from the winches where they are.  The main hides it.  There’s something to be said for mast in the middle of the boat.

 

[Amati]

It’s more that I can’t see enough of the jib from the winches where they are, or where they would be still ahead of the traveller. The main hides it.  There’s something to be said for mast in the middle of the boat. If I’m sitting on the edge of the cockpit either side things are better.

 

[Rain Man]

In that photo you'd be sitting on a winch mounted aft of that traveler; seems likely they'd be in the way. It's unclear to me how much closer you really need them; your arms don't appear unusually short. If you need to be closer then maybe move the wooden winch pedestals aft so they are directly on top of the traveler and put your mainsheet traveler gear a little further inboard. 

There's room if the winches are installed a bit further aft leaving room for the driver to sit between them and the traveller.  In a way, having a winch there might turn it into something to hang on to when the boat is heeled, like in a broach or an unexpected gust.  Otherwise the driver is hanging from the lifelines.   It would also be nice to have a winch to hang onto when going upwind in waves - less likely to be bucked off the helm seat and land in a heap in the cockpit.

It would, though, be a pity to clutter up that very flat open driver seating area aft of the traveller.  On top of that, the lazy sheet would be under the driver's butt sometimes - at least the driver would know where it is for the next tack. 

 

[El Borracho]

From what I can discern: Fairlead holes under traveller. Winches on those existing pads. Trav control lines to the track-end mounted Harken do-dads.

Lead to port winch will be problematic bcuz it winds from the inside...

But to answer your question...I would think a machinist-like person could mount a fairlead on some Harken track car. Such as the fixed end control 'cars'.

 

[shaggybaxter]

Amati,

what about a couple of antil rings on dyneema lashings? Good for directional changes with low friction still. Lash a couple to a cars on the jib track and dump the captive block cars 

Then shorten your traveller an Inch and mount another couple of the ends of the traveller. 
Or is this really dumb and I’ve missed the issue completely  

 

[Ron Swanson]

I drilled holes under my traveler for my runners going to winches forward of the traveler. Epoxied G-10 tubes in and all good. Looks like it was always supposed to be that way.

 

[SailAnotherDay]

It would take figuring with the angle of the primaries, but if you are drilling holes, why not put a proper turning block to leeward and cross-sheet.