Thoughts on mainsheet traveler V’s Double blocked mainsheet?

[DELETED]

For the seasoned solo sailors on here, i would be interested to hear your thoughts for and against keeping a knee high traveler across the cockpit or converting to a double block mainsheet setup on pad eyes on the deck level. I have my own thoughts but really want to hear other opinions. Thanks.

The hand drawing is not mine but is spot on and lifted from web.

 

[JL92S]

“KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid” theory I think applies here. The twin block system I only see used by either some catamarans or super yachts. I see the logic but I’m not sure it will be any less obstructive than the traveller. Solo sailing is about making things easier for yourself and being able to leave the mainsheet to do its own thing particularly in tacks and gybes is a good thing

 

[steele]

I think this woud be even more obstructive. In heavy air with the traveler down you can move forward on the windward side,  and in light air you can use either side. With this set up you are blocked on both sides. At the dock it might be nice to stow the boom to one side and not have the traveler, but you would need to unshakle and stow the unused sheet.

 

[mathystuff]

Double mainsheet does take some getting used to for trimming as the boom moves in a circle section, when you sheet in/out and the other sheet is fixed. It also doesn't auto tack.

Other than that it is fully functional and cheaper than a track.

 

[Guest]

Its a nightmare, stick with a track

 

[DELETED]

Its a nightmare, stick with a track

Interesting,

In what ways did you find it a nightmare? 
 

 

[DELETED]

The way i think it Has a cam cleat and bitter end on each side allowing full control.

Im not sure the drawing shows that clearly. 

 

[cyclone]

Caveat. I am not a seasoned solo sailor. I copied Mike Lenehan’s dual mainsheet for my trimaran. I originally had two separate mainsheets with two bitter ends then I changed to a continuous mainsheet with a bitter end on each side. I prefer the continuous set up which allows the boom to swing on tacks and jibes. You do have to be careful that one end doesn’t become longer than the other after multiple trim adjustments. The system effectively dampens. the boom swing during jibes but the biggest advantage for me is that combined with a topping lift I can secure my rig on the mooring and eliminate the flailing in the chop.

 

[SSolo]

i'd keep mainsheet & traveller set up, but adjust the ratios/blocks so you can handle them easily. 

 

[DELETED]

i'd keep mainsheet & traveller set up, but adjust the ratios/blocks so you can handle them easily. 

I’ll look into the ratio change. That may indeed make it so theres less line juggling during Tack/Gybe etc. Nice idea. Thanks.
 

 

[fufkin]

Here's a guy who removed the mid-cockpit traveller and converted to the 'a-frame' arrangement. He loves the set up and has done a ton of solo miles with it. Personally, I have my traveller cross-cockpit right in front of the wheel(like a lot of boats in this size range with end-boom sheeting), and like it as is, don't really mind stepping over it, and cockpit cushions can hide the traveller if one wants to stretch out. (the traveller conversion is at around 3:20 on the video)

 

[Mark K]

Have you considered a single pad eye in the middle? Vang-sheeting? It's the simplest and simple is good. 

Can't ever get the boom completely centered but then again there is no rail meat so... 

 

[DELETED]

7 hours ago, fufkin said:

Here's a guy who removed the mid-cockpit traveller and converted to the 'a-frame' arrangement. He loves the set up and has done a ton of solo miles with it. Personally, I have my traveller cross-cockpit right in front of the wheel(like a lot of boats in this size range with end-boom sheeting), and like it as is, don't really mind stepping over it, and cockpit cushions can hide the traveller if one wants to stretch out. (the traveller conversion is at around 3:20 on the video)

Yeah, Vernon was the first person i had seen actually doing the conversion. Great youtube channel, great videography and a good bloke.

His boat is also a credit to Mr Sayer and the builder. Beautiful boat.  

 

[DELETED]

Have you considered a single pad eye in the middle? Vang-sheeting? It's the simplest and simple is good. 

Can't ever get the boom completely centered but then again there is no rail meat so... 

Yeah i have looked and thought into that design. One of the reasons for changing away from the track is to free up the cockpit for easy movement and remove the need for some lines crossing the cockpit. The boat does have a track and a centre cockpit sole mounted downhaul setup. Used with a crew for tuning during racing. 

 

[Mark K]

Yeah i have looked and thought into that design. One of the reasons for changing away from the track is to free up the cockpit for easy movement and remove the need for some lines crossing the cockpit. The boat does have a track and a centre cockpit sole mounted downhaul setup. Used with a crew for tuning during racing. 

I wouldn't do it in a big or ocean going boat. Too much stress on the boom. Smaller boats can get away with it though. Also have to consider a traveler spreads shock-loads over a couple attachment points, your pad eyes will have to be well-backed and tough.    

 

[DELETED]

I wouldn't do it in a big or ocean going boat. Too much stress on the boom. Smaller boats can get away with it though. Also have to consider a traveler spreads shock-loads over a couple attachment points, your pad eyes will have to be well-backed and tough.    

Yeah for sure. The single point padeye kind of scares me to be honest just due to the possibilities of shockloading. I like to be able to point the boom wherever i want to and i guess 2 points of attachment or spread through the traveler track allow that. And your right, my cockpit sole would need beefing right up. It already needs repair due to age and over tightening of an unbacked fitting. All worth thinking about before doing any conversion. Cheers. 

 

[JL92S]

I still don’t quite get the logic for the twin system. You say the traveller is high and takes up space and there is too much string, by having a purchase system going from the boom down to the bench seat you still need to step on the seats to get round it and downwind you’ll always have a bunch of rope draped over the cockpit from the windward sheet. And with 2 mainsheets you’ll have twice the amount of rope in the cockpit, a traveller rope is small and you can make it continuous. I’ve used this system on a Swan 76 ketch for the mizzen sheet system and to sheet the boom in the centre line with any sort of leech tension to go upwind you have to put more effort into each sheet individually than you would on 1 centreline mainsheet as you’re pulling both against each other and putting stress on the boom fitting. I’d stick with the traveller or buy a new boat

 

[DELETED]

I still don’t quite get the logic for the twin system. You say the traveller is high and takes up space and there is too much string, by having a purchase system going from the boom down to the bench seat you still need to step on the seats to get round it and downwind you’ll always have a bunch of rope draped over the cockpit from the windward sheet. And with 2 mainsheets you’ll have twice the amount of rope in the cockpit, a traveller rope is small and you can make it continuous. I’ve used this system on a Swan 76 ketch for the mizzen sheet system and to sheet the boom in the centre line with any sort of leech tension to go upwind you have to put more effort into each sheet individually than you would on 1 centreline mainsheet as you’re pulling both against each other and putting stress on the boom fitting. I’d stick with the traveller or buy a new boat

Tuning a swan 76 on the mizzen must be a great sensation. 
I have never met anybody that has gotten rid of a boat they love rather than change one or two things to aid easier solo sailing. But i have 2 lottery tickets for this weekend, so i’ll never say never...

 

[Foolish]

I have the normal traveler track across my cockpit and I find it easy to step over.  But this is also the route that my jib sheets take to cross to the high side of the cockpit, so I step over the track and the sheets at the same time.  This is something I find absolutely invaluable.

A comment that your cockpit looks really long for singlehanding.  You'd want all of the sheets and clutches located where you can reach them (even if it is a stretch with the tiller between your knees) from behind the traveler.