[Public-list] Mainsheet Traveler

[richard.hazlegrove at wachovia.com]

I replaced my traveler about five years ago with a midrange Harken system 
that really makes sailhandling easy.  I am not sure if the traveller track 
mount is different on the earlier Albergs but mine is the later design. 
There are a number of potential combinations including the very expensive 
windward sheeting systems.  For my purposes,  a midrange three part system 
seems about right.  I occasionally race but mostly cruise.  I do however 
like  to tweak the sails and this setup is a vast improvement over the 
previous system.  Harken isn't cheap but they do great job reducing 
friction. 

My setup is a fairly standard three-part system.  It consists of two 
double sheaves with cams attached to each end of the traveller track. 
Attached to each side of the car is a single control block with a becket.  
The car is controlled from each end of the traveller through the cams.  I 
used the traveller track that allows the fasteners to slide around to fit 
the existing track holes.  There is a slight bend in the track which was 
easily fit as the bolts were sequentially tightened.  The mainsheet is a 
four-part Harken system that uses a two block fiddle at the boom end and a 
two block fiddle with a becket and cam attached to the car. The mainsheet 
is spliced to the becket. 

Incidentally I fit both mainsheet blocks with what I recall are Schaefer 
snapshackles that attache perfectly to the Harken block posts.  This 
allows me to quickly unsnap the blocks from the boom and car and store 
them in the sheet bag that snaps to the aft cockpit bulkhead.  The bag is 
stowed in the cockpit locker when not in use which has kept the blocks and 
mainsheet out of the weather and in perfect condition after five plus 
years. 

I have found that the 4 to 1 purchase on the mainsheet to be more than 
adequate in all wind conditions.  The traveler controls at 3 to 1 require 
only a modest effort and then only when working the traveller in heavier 
wind when close hauled.  If you really enjoy sailhandling,  this is a 
great upgrade. 

Richard Hazlegrove
Quest 433
Mobjack Bay, VA.