What is the best position for traveler fairlead?

fordewind

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Class rules allow to put them from min 235 mm from gunwale to max 295 mm. Can someone tell where is the best position for them? Thanks a lot!
 
Re: What is the best position for treveler fairlead?

Class rules allow to put them from min 235 mm from gunwale to max 295 mm. Can someone tell where is the best position for them? Thanks a lot!

I may be corrected soon...but I would have thought that the best place for them is as far out as possible...ie as close to the gunwale as allowed.
 
Re: What is the best position for treveler fairlead?

I have mine closer to the gunwale but if you think about it the farther away you have it from the gunwale the less you are are going to need to trim the sail... Does that make sense? Thoughts?
 
Re: What is the best position for treveler fairlead?

I think the far it is from gunwale (in more forward position) the more it will bent mast in middle position (working in some way like vang). In perpendicular position it will bent top. The nearer it is to the gunwale (in most aft position) the less it will bent. I THINK BUT DONT KNOW EXACTLY! Any other opinions?
Add the image from Bob Bond book.
 

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Re: What is the best position for treveler fairlead?

I've never seen any information regarding positioning the fairlead anywhere other than it's stock position or as it came on the boat. If your backing plate rotted out put in an inspection port in the back section and fix it.
 
Re: What is the best position for treveler fairlead?

I've never seen any information regarding positioning the fairlead anywhere other than it's stock position or as it came on the boat. If your backing plate rotted out put in an inspection port in the back section and fix it.
Rob, what is youre stock position? 235? 295? 265?
 
I think there may be some confusion on how the measurement is done - IIRC, no part of the fitting may be forward of the 290mm measurement and no part of the fitting may be aft of the 235mm. Take into account the dimensions of the fairlead and you don't have a lot of room to play with.

I also don't think it's possible to put the aft boom block in a position such that the load of the mainsheet is pushing the boom forward (trying to bend the mast down low, similar to the effect that the vang has) either by moving the trav fairleads fwd and/or moving the aft boom block eye strap aft within the rules.

You can argue that moving the trav fairleads aft and boom block eye strap fwd may allow the boom to be pulled closer to the deck (Bending the mast more) which might be helpful for lighter sailors, but again, I think the tolerances within the rules make it so that's it not a measureable diff.

Alan can certainly clear up on how the fittings have to fit within the max/min dimensions of the rules
 

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Over the years I've owned 4 Lasers and have never measured the fairlead positions on any of them. My concerns have always been with mast step position and the rake allowed by the position of the mast tube. Then on to hull stiffness, striaght spars and blades.
 
I think there may be some confusion on how the measurement is done - IIRC, no part of the fitting may be forward of the 290mm measurement and no part of the fitting may be aft of the 235mm. Take into account the dimensions of the fairlead and you don't have a lot of room to play with.

I also don't think it's possible to put the aft boom block in a position such that the load of the mainsheet is pushing the boom forward (trying to bend the mast down low, similar to the effect that the vang has) either by moving the trav fairleads fwd and/or moving the aft boom block eye strap aft within the rules.

You can argue that moving the trav fairleads aft and boom block eye strap fwd may allow the boom to be pulled closer to the deck (Bending the mast more) which might be helpful for lighter sailors, but again, I think the tolerances within the rules make it so that's it not a measureable diff.

Alan can certainly clear up on how the fittings have to fit within the max/min dimensions of the rules

Most forward position is 290 mm
Most aft position is 235 mm
Width of the fairlead is 15 mm

290 - 235 - 15 = 40 mm

You have a room 40 mm which in my humble opinion is not too small!
 
Ok. Put yours in at one of the maximum positions, (Max forward or aft whatever you think best) attend a regatta and let us know how your upwind performance compares w/other boats w/stock settings. Maybe you just discovered an unknown "mode" for the boat.
 
On my 2009 vintage boat the max dimension is 274mm. The min dimension is 254mm as the fairleads are not perpendicular to the centerline of the boat.

It is my understanding that you are not allowed to reposition the fairleads as this would be considered a modification to the builder supplied equipment.

I vaguely remember some earlier discussions indicating that positioning the fairleads as far forward as possible would be advantageous.
 
On my 2009 vintage boat the max dimension is 274mm. The min dimension is 254mm as the fairleads are not perpendicular to the centerline of the boat.

It is my understanding that you are not allowed to reposition the fairleads as this would be considered a modification to the builder supplied equipment.

I vaguely remember some earlier discussions indicating that positioning the fairleads as far forward as possible would be advantageous.

Thanks a lot Ncusdan! :) Its very important for me! I also can tell that you have a middle position!
On youre boat: 274-254=20 20/2=10 274-10=264
In the rules: 295-235=60 60/2=30 295-30=265
And can you remember why in the earlier discussion was told that the most forward position has advantages? Why it works a little better?
 

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