[Rhodes22-list] Backstay Spreader Bars

Mon Mar 15 15:08:10 EDT 2010

I can't take credit for the idea.  The old traveler came rigged that  
way.  I've just tried to improve on it.

Whether it works for you or not may depend on your choice of sail  
track hardware and what kind of wind you sail in.

In my case, the sail track has two distinct disadvantages -

1) It is hard to move under load.  If you're out in a fresh breeze and  
try to adjust the car's position, you have to use care.  When you pull  
up the stop pin, the car will zip to the leeward end of the traveler.   
I can envision a scenario where you wouldn't even want to try.  Most  
of my lake sailing is in light wind, so it has rarely been an issue.

2) Under light or gusty conditions, if you get any boom bounce or  
other shock loads on the mainsheet, it can pop the stop pin out and,  
again, the car will zip to the leeward end.

For #1 I don't think there is a good solution unless you rigged some  
kind of control line from the car to the windward stay.  Then you're  
right back to extra lines on the traveler.

For #2 I am using old, cheap sail track and car.  I suspect if I  
invested in a nice Harken ball-bearing job, which didn't have the slop  
in it and a better pin stop, this problem would go away.

Cheers!
John Lock
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
Lake Sinclair, GA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Mar 15, 2010, at 14:17, KUHN, LELAND wrote:
> John,
>
> I don't use my traveler that often so my opinion may not be worth  
> much,
> but using a sail track seems like a better option than our lines and
> clam cleats.
>
> The downside is that you lose some fine tuning but that seems minor
> since some of the tuning comes from the mainsheet.  The upside is that
> you don't have the hassle of messing with all that line, which is the
> main reason I don't use the traveler that often.
>
> I assume my opinion is weak otherwise Stan and other builders would be
> using sail track on their travelers.
>
> Lee
> 1986 Rhodes22  AT EASE
> Kent Island, MD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of John Lock
> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 11:02 AM
> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Backstay Spreader Bars
>
> A couple years ago I built a new traveler for my '79 model  It's
> actually relatively cheap and easy to do.  In my case the main issue
> was access to the motor and rudder.  The old traveler was set too low
> and was always in the way.  Using a slightly shorter traveler allowed
> it to be set higher and solved the problem.  Here's a web page from
> the project - http://www.relevantarts.com/pandion/traveler.html
>
> Cheers!
> John Lock
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
> Lake Sinclair, GA
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> On Mar 15, 2010, at 10:36, Derek Dodson wrote:
>> Rob,
>> That looks like a good quick option. I don't know if there is any
>> advantage
>> on having a traveler bar except just might give a little more head
>> room.
>>
>> Derek Dodson
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Lowe, Rob
>> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 9:27 AM
>> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Backstay Spreader Bars
>>
>> Derek,
>> Not all Rhodes have a traveler bar, but I expect your 86 should.
>> I've got a
>> 76 that uses a "traveler wire".  See which one you have.  Here's
>> what mine
>> looks like. - rob
>>
>>
> http://www.rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/attch/200610/20/traveler
> lowe
>> r.jpg
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Derek Dodson
>> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 8:27 AM
>> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Backstay Spreader Bars
>>
>> Hello, I am about ready to sail my 86 Rhodes and the only thing I
>> missing is
>> the transverse tubes that attach to the backstay. My backstay lines
>> have
>> blocks mounted on place where it looks like a stainless steel tube
>> should be
>> mounted.
>>
>> Can anyone help me or tell me the lengths of the tubes that are used?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Derek Dodson
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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