[Rhodes22-list] [Rhodes22e-list] New Traveler Modifications

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Rick,

My 1976 Rhodes Continental 22 came with a cable style traveler.  This was not a very good setup and I soon upgraded to the GBI bar-style traveler that is mounted on the backstay.  This traveler was much better and I used it for many years.  However, because the mainsail trimmer needed to be in line with the clam cleats on each end of the traveler bar in order to cleat off the control line, it was very difficult for the helmsman to also play the traveler.  This was especially an issue when the helmsman was sitting up on the windward gunnel (i.e. hiking out) and the traveler needed to be trimmed to leeward.  GBI’s 2nd
(3rd?) generation traveler pretty much solves all these issues.  Properly adjusted, the latest generation traveler has a built-in slip characteristic that will save you in an accidental gibe or a knockdown gust.   The traveler control line is a continuous loop, which enables the helmsman to play the traveler to windward or leeward without leaving his hiking station up on the windward gunnel.  The helmsman drives with one hand on the tiller extension, the other on the traveler control line, and multitasks.  The helmsman can feel the weather/lee helm pressure thru the tiller and is in the best position to adjust the traveler to optimize the weather helm/lee helm balance.  I’ve been sailing with the new generation traveler for 3 seasons now.  If you care about boat speed and sail short handed, this upgrade is well worth the price!  On a close hauled course in 10-15 knot of wind, If you get into a drag race with another Rhodes 22 that is properly using  its latest generation traveler vs you using your mainsheet, you will fall behind by ~30-40 sec/nm.  In a PHRF race, that’s huge!  Other than buying new sails, there is probably no other upgrade that offers this much performance per dollar spent.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

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From: ROGER PIHLAJA<mailto:roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 12:12 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] [Rhodes22e-list] New Traveler Modifications

Rick,

When you ease the traveler, the end of the boom does not rise as it does when you ease the mainsheet.  Thus the mainsail shape is affected much less when you ease the traveler vs the mainsheet.  When you trim the traveler back to where it was, the flow reattaches itself much quicker.  Overall, boat speed stays higher.  That’s why you play the traveler much more than the mainsheet.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 24, 2021, at 11:25 AM, Rick Lange <sloopblueheron at gmail.com>Trim the trawrote:
>
> Jeff,
>
> Why the traveller?  The sheet is so much faster and gives greater range of
> boom movement.
>
> Rick Lange
>
>> On Wed, Mar 24, 2021, 9:13 AM JeffSmith <jeffsmithphoto at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> When sailing to weather I like to play the traveler (as opposed to the main
>> sheet) in the puffs while sitting on the high side cockpit combing with the
>> hiking stick.
>> A continuous 5mm line with the core removed where it travels through the
>> blocks on the New Traveler and possibly changing the purchase from 5 to 1
>> to
>> 3 to 1 is part of my plan. Before holes are drilled in the cockpit sides to
>> accomodate turning blocks to lead the continuous line forward around the
>> perimeter of the cockpit, I would welcome input.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> Jeff Smith
>> 2009 R22 #101 RADIANT
>> Atlantic Highlands Municpal Harbor
>> Atlantic Highlands, NJ
>>
>> --
>> Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/
>>