[Rhodes22-list] Alternate Location for Traveler Bar

[Richard F Sheehan]

Jim;

I've thought about the R22 traveler system a lot these past three years. 
I was especially covetous of the Harken traveler system I installed for
my buddy in Annapolis, MD.  Over that time I kept coming to the
conclusion that the R22 traveler system is top notch, if only I had it
working as originally designed.  

What had happened was:  When my boat was retrofitted to the standard mast
and head sail, the backstays supplied by GB were the ones with four
blocks rather than the two and two cups used nowadays.  My solution was
to use a clevis pin and shackle system to install the bar.  This left the
clam cleats in a horizontal position.  They worked only sporadically, and
I was totally dissatisfied with their performance.  It took me three
years to come up with a simple, elegant, effective solution.  

When I finally got around to thinking outside the box, I merely through
bolted two lance cleats to the two clam cleats.  Works great!  

In answer to your question, by all means do relocate the traveler back to
the backstay, if possible.  A cockpit mounted traveler is fine until the
first time you bark your shins on it.  The Annapolis , MD boat I
mentioned has its new Harken mounted transverse splitting the cockpit
fore and aft.  This was the way the boat was designed, and both my buddy
and I like the location of the R22 traveler system better.  I had
actively considered doing the same [including the Harken system] to Sea
Prompt, but I just despised the way it cuts up the cockpit.  Phil Rhodes
had an excellent plan for this boat, and I've not seen any changes that I
consider superior to the original design.

Lance cleats are those red and green things used to hold up the rudder
and the motor.  I have one for my topping lift, and formerly had one for
the furler painter.  

Hope this helps,
        Dick

PS  Which bay? Tampa, Cape Cod, San Francisco, Fundy?


On Fri, 2 Apr 2004 09:58:12 -0500 "Jim Richardson"
<jwrichardson1 at comcast.net> writes:
> Hi All,
> 
>  
> 
> I have a question about the Traveler Bar.  Has anyone heard of 
> relocating this bar to the cockpit just before the cabin entrance?  I
have been 
> talking to someone about a used Rhodes 22 and the Traveler bar has been
put 
> into this location.  My only question is why?  What are the advantages
if 
> any and wouldn't this degrade the Rhodes ability to absorb the stress
from 
> an accidental jib?  If I were to purchase this boat I think I would be 
looking
> to relocate the Traveler back to the original location on the back 
> stays.
> Any opinions are most welcome.  Fyi, I am new to sailing and have 
> only done a little informal dingy sailing on the local lake and am
looking for 
> a boat to take to the bay.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jim R.
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> 
> 


CPT Richard F. Sheehan
218 Pier D
Naples, FL 34112
dickshee at juno.com

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