Sheet Traveller Systems on Freedom hulls

  • 11 Jan 2013 01:16
    Reply # 1177049 on 1175281
    I'm going to try a rope horse for now, at least till the stainless horse is made. With luck I may not need it.
  • 10 Jan 2013 15:16
    Reply # 1176245 on 1175281
    Deleted user
    Flutterby is another Freedom 33, and came with different deck gear than you got. In my case, there was a mizzen traveller across the sternrail, and the main sheet had none. My test sails are very preliminary data thus far as I don't feel like I've really sorted everything out yet....but I'm not expecting to change it much.

    I intended to put a deck padeye or two down for the main sheet, but temporarily rigged two blocks on the mizzen mast collar, and may just leave them there--I've not felt like I wanted to sheet it in harder so far.

    I have used the mizzen traveller extensively to position my sail bundle when stowed. I have also used it while sailing, and believe it does some good...but I need to sail more to be sure. I don't think I'm satisfied with the rest my mizzen sheeting system yet...but am making other tweaks a priority this month.

    Barry
  • 10 Jan 2013 14:06
    Reply # 1176200 on 1175281
    Deleted user
    Thanks for the comments, guys - lots to think about.  On my boat the fore sail is the main sail so would seem to warrant some form of traveller facility for sail efficiency, and the mizzen would benefit due to helming comfort at the wheel as referred to by Brian.  The forward track is mounted on teak strips across the coach roof, which would need some remedials if removed.  This would eventually be covered by the KiwiGrip I intend to apply to the non-slip areas, but some reasonable looking and practical solution will be needed, and a decision made before I put on the KiwiGrip.
  • 10 Jan 2013 00:21
    Reply # 1175823 on 1175642
    Deleted user
    David Tyler wrote:Roy,
    I don't think you need to haul the foresail up to weather, so some centrally mounted blocks should be enough. The mizzen could well benefit from some form of weather sheeting, but a lower-tech form of horse and traveller is good enough, if you don't want to consider double sheeting. A dyneema rope with a block running on it? 
    I tend to agree with David re the foresail. On our F39 schooner junk we haven't ever bothered hauling in the foresail with the (now disconnected) traveller - there are already enough lines sweeping over the deckhouse anyway. 

    We made a habit of hauling in or easing the mainsail inlast season, though this was as much to get the sheet away from us when helming and our heads when gybing, than to perhaps augment performance. I don't know if you've a wheel or a tiller; if a wheel you may need to give some thought to how the sheets will work at the stern - safety and comfort are as relevant as efficiency gains in my book.

    I know a guy in New Zealand with an F39 who I believe replaced the ball bearings in the travellers rather than replacing the whole. Our main traveller runs roughly, but does the trick and does seem to help performance.
  • 09 Jan 2013 20:20
    Reply # 1175642 on 1175281
    Roy,
    I don't think you need to haul the foresail up to weather, so some centrally mounted blocks should be enough. The mizzen could well benefit from some form of weather sheeting, but a lower-tech form of horse and traveller is good enough, if you don't want to consider double sheeting. A dyneema rope with a block running on it? 
  • 09 Jan 2013 19:32
    Reply # 1175596 on 1175281
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Roy, have you considered fitting a wire  sheet traveller with say 50cm slack, running from rail to rail? The runner /"track car") would simply be a shackle. Cheap and funtional  -  but posiibly noisy...

    Arne

  • 09 Jan 2013 15:39
    Message # 1175281
    Deleted user

    My Freedom 33 has travellers for both main and mizzen, part of the original equipment, and onto which the bottom blocks of both sheets attach.  Currently all the moving parts are worn, and have been so stiff that I wasn't able to experiment with them before I started the refit.  I can source spares from Rig-Rite, Inc in the US (see here ) to renovate both systems for around $1,050, or over £800 by the time I have paid for shipping and import duties.

    Barton can supply parts, including new tracks, cars and control ends, for around £700 after VAT, which has the advantage of being all new gear, more modern and sleeker design, and British (so future spares will be easier and cheaper to get hold of).

    Before I lash out on either of these repairs can anyone give me an opinion whether I will see any benefit from the traveller systems, or would I be better putting the money into something more rewarding.  What do all you Junk rigged Freedom owners do?

    Last modified: 11 Jan 2013 18:04 | Deleted user
       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

                                                              Site contents © the Junk Rig Association and/or individual authors

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software