JGM said:By fixing the sheet to the center of the traveler (effectively converting the traveler into a bridle), you can point significantly higher when sailing to windward.
Scott said:if it's so much better to not have movement on that connection, what is the purpose of the traveler in the first place?
I've seen this tip elsewhere but if it's so much better, why do boats have a traveler at all?
JGM said:Hi Scott,
I'm looking at your great pictures and I see a couple more improvements you might consider.
The first is put a loop in the center of your traveler instead of the current arrangement where the traveler block is allowed to "travel" side to side. By fixing the sheet to the center of the traveler (effectively converting the traveler into a bridle), you can point significantly higher when sailing to windward. You can either tie the traveler around the existing block or go on to suggestion #2 where....
You ditch the traveler block altogether and single line it from the boom down to the loop in the traveler. Disconnect the end of the main from the becket on the boom block and tie it directly to the loop, or you could attach a snap to the main for quickly detaching (what I did). This doubles the responsiveness of the main sheet and allows you to seriously shorten the main, removing lots of loose line from the cockpit floor when sailing upwind. The downside comes in heavy wind when you want to pull in the main and it takes twice as much force. So far this hasn't bothered me yet, and I like the modification.
Hope this helps,
Jim
DMS said:I just bought a used Catalina 14.2 this past weekend. I am now learning how to rig it. I like the Boom Kicker that you showed in one of your pictures. Where did you get it and how much did it cost?
Thanks for the tip. Please include a picture of your modification.
Thanks,
dbernstein
i have found a way simular tothe above method, which holds holds the main sheet and the boom to the center of the boat; and allows for an adjustable traveler which which allows the main sheet/boom to move to lee ward in high wind. If any one is interested I try to post a picture.