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#1 2022-10-19 15:50:52

David_Schuiteman
Member
Registered: 2022-02-15
Posts: 7

Travellers on Frances 26?

Hi,

I hope everyone had a good sailing season thus far.

I have been researching and experimenting with optimal sail trim on my cutter. One of the controls is a traveller, which I don’t have.

Does anyone have one currently and what are your experiences? And which model?

I am considering the Barton removable which the maximum span is 700mm which nearly coincides with width between lockers. However, when you subtract the fittings at the ends you’re left with less than 500mm. Which leads me to think, is it worth 8 more holes and £700-800?
I’m not so keen on having a permanent one which could span the width of the cockpit. Already small enough.

I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on this.

Many thanks,
David

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#2 2022-10-21 06:38:53

Bill_Robinson
Member
From: Langkawi, Malaysia
Registered: 2021-06-14
Posts: 110

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Hi David, during the refit of Inyoni, my Victoria Frances 26, I had the same dilemma. I hated having the mainsheet right in the middle of the companion way. I wanted end of boom sheeting, and a cheap easy system.
My solution was to beef up the pushpit, by adding two additional legs down to the capping rail, and another 25mm diameter tube across to act as the traveler.
I attached the mainsheet block to this using a Dynema line with two wraps and Brummell eye splices. This does not slip when loaded, but I can easily move it when the sheet is eased. I may have to increase the number of wraps if I find it slipping when wet, but so far it works well, and keeps the mainsheet out of the cockpit.

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#3 2022-10-21 13:21:48

David_Schuiteman
Member
Registered: 2022-02-15
Posts: 7

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Hi Bill,

That's an interesting solution. While there are advantages to end-of-boom main sheeting, for me it would be far too busy at that end.  I have a wind vane and I suspect the amount of mainsheet line would be significantly bigger leaving a big pile around the tiller.

My question was really around whether there is a positive benefit of having a such a short span traveller.  E.g. would it make a significant difference is shaping the mainsail to eek out an extra 1/4- 1/2 knot. I am not racing but more about arriving to the next destination for tea time instead of after dinner time. Trying to do 40-50 miles of daylight legs.

I am speaking to a rigger early next week and I will ask him on his thoughts.

Many thanks for your experiences.

David

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#4 2022-10-21 16:31:49

Murray_Fraser
Member
From: Weymouth
Registered: 2016-11-22
Posts: 87

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

My V800 has a full width traveller, I cannot recall the make for certain but I think it is Barton.   Yes it can get in the way for access below but I think this is offset by the ability to ease the traveller especially off the wind.  If I had the choice I think combining the cockpit canopy forward arch with a traveller track would likely be ideal as it would provide a good downward pull on the boom and all the lines clear of the cockpit save the mainsheet tail and traveller sheets.  The traveller sheets could be routed under the canopy and back to my cabin top winches.   The mainsheet tail I would probably route via the side decks to a cam cleat, the sheet pulley remaining on the track.  Above my pay grade to install though.


VICTORIA 800 Dulcibella

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#5 2022-10-21 22:57:58

Bill_Robinson
Member
From: Langkawi, Malaysia
Registered: 2021-06-14
Posts: 110

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Hi David,
I have a Navik wind vane, and a tiller pilot fitted on Inyoni. I stow the tail of the main sheet in  two separate coils, by means of line loops on the top pushpit rail. The reason for separating the coils, is that only the one closest to the mainsheet block is ever loosened. This helps to keep the cockpit tidy.
I use line loops to stow  the genoa and staysail sheets as well.
Personally, I think the cost, and work of a track in front of the companion way, for less than 500mm of adjustment, is not cost effective.
Incidentally, most of the Morris built Frances 26 boats, have end of boom mainsail sheeting, and Chuck Paine advocates this too.
Regards,
Bill.

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#6 2022-10-22 21:38:33

Murray_Fraser
Member
From: Weymouth
Registered: 2016-11-22
Posts: 87

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Bill, that's interesting, can you post a photo of the setup with the mainsheet.  Does your vang work well enough to flatten the main and how do you avoid getting tangled with tge mainsheet when going downwind.


VICTORIA 800 Dulcibella

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#7 2022-10-23 13:04:25

Bill_Robinson
Member
From: Langkawi, Malaysia
Registered: 2021-06-14
Posts: 110

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Hi Murray, sure, please give me a few days to take some photos. I am preparing a 45 ft catamaran for a delivery to the Philippines next month, so rather busy. 
The vang is powerful enough to flatten the main down wind. I also have a permanent preventer along the boom, that attaches to a longer tail piece and goes through the forward mooring cleat, and back to the stern cleat. The mainsheet does not really inhibit the cockpit much  downwind, and with the preventer in place, it is quite safe from an unexpected jibe.

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#8 2022-10-24 20:26:40

Jeremy_Ingram
Member
Registered: 2022-02-24
Posts: 19

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Hi David,
  On my Frances 26, Pintail ,we have the main sheet on a traveller but it’s forward of the spray hood ,running across above the hatch garage . She was like this when I bought her and I have to say that despite some reservations initially, it is a very good solution. The whole shebang is made by Harken and looks good. Traveller  range is only 60 cms. but it is easy to use and it gets it out of the companionway and it makes a big difference .Main sheet and traveller control lines lead aft alongside the hatch sliders and go to jam cleats on the coach roof either side of the companionway. If it was of interest I could e mail a photo.
     Just another option!
        Jeremy

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#9 2022-10-24 23:36:02

Murray_Fraser
Member
From: Weymouth
Registered: 2016-11-22
Posts: 87

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

I would really like to see your photos Jeremy.  Do you think traveller range could be increased?


VICTORIA 800 Dulcibella

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#10 2022-10-25 10:35:06

Simon_Dewing
Member
From: Torquay / Texas
Registered: 2022-08-04
Posts: 63

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Somewhere I have seen photo's of a V30 (or maybe a Morris Leigh) with very similar arrangement.
Whilst I was working on mine I thought about doing this but wasn't sure if it would work well or how much additional purchase would be needed and how much stress might be imposed on the coachroof.
Getting the traveler out of the companionway would certainly be an improvement.
Whilst I had all the linings stripped out I Laminated in a carbon fibre and epoxy arch where a traveler might run to add strength and provide an option to change at a later date. If you choose to do this its likely some structural reinforcement would be needed.

Rgds

Simon

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#11 2022-10-25 19:41:42

Jeremy_Ingram
Member
Registered: 2022-02-24
Posts: 19

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Actually there’s no need for any structural reinforcement as the system we have is a traveller which runs on top of a support arch in cast aluminium ( except  it’s not , it’s flat) and it straddles  the hatch garage. I haven’t figured out if we can upload photos here  but otherwise I can email if anyone would be interested,it’d be  easier to explain.

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#12 2022-10-31 12:43:35

Duncan_Hill
Committee Member
From: Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
Registered: 2017-03-14
Posts: 153
Website

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Jeremy_Ingram wrote:

Actually there’s no need for any structural reinforcement as the system we have is a traveller which runs on top of a support arch in cast aluminium ( except  it’s not , it’s flat) and it straddles  the hatch garage. I haven’t figured out if we can upload photos here  but otherwise I can email if anyone would be interested,it’d be  easier to explain.

Instructions for photo posting can be found here: https://www.victoriashadow.co.uk/forum/ … php?id=788


Victoria 34 Cutter - 'Blue Opal' (the non-bowsprit edition)

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#13 2022-11-02 00:32:29

Bill_Robinson
Member
From: Langkawi, Malaysia
Registered: 2021-06-14
Posts: 110

Re: Travellers on Frances 26?

Hi David,
I finally have a photo of my mainsheet traveller, set up for end of boom sheeting, but I don’t seem able to resize it. If you send me your email address, I can forward it to you.

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