[Rhodes22-list] Repositioning the mainsheet traveler

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Hi Tom,

You might approach the mainsheet traveler/outboard motor access issue from another direction.  S/V Dynamic Equilibrium has remote, cockpit gunnel mounted engine controls.  This mostly obviates outboard engine access issue and allows the mainsheet traveler to remain mounted on the backstays.  There really are advantages to having the traveler mounted up high on the backstays - shock absorber in case on an accidental gibe, the traveler bar is nearly the width of the cockpit for maximum traveler effectiveness, and the mainsheet block is at a convenient height.  The latest version of GBI's traveler has the traveler car control line as a continuous loop.  This means you can pull the traveler car to leeward or windward without leaving your perch on the windward rail.

Cockpit mounted remote engine controls are especially great when it comes to a short handed docking situation.  You get to stand there with the engine controls in your left hand and the tiller in your right hand.  You are standing, so you have good visibility all around.  It's just so civilized, you'll wonder how you ever got along without them!

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
1978  Sanford, MI


________________________________
From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> on behalf of Graham Stewart <gstewart.gm at gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2024 11:40 AM
To: Tom Hyatt <thyatt at mica.edu>; The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Repositioning the mainsheet traveler

I attached the traveler bar to the stern pulpit. In that position, it
blends in with the stern rail and doesn't create another barrier to
reaching the motor. I have posted information on this arrangement in the
past with pictures. Of course, you want to make sure that the stern rail is
installed and held together adequately for the stresses involved.


Graham Stewart
Agile 76


On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 10:28 AM Tom Hyatt via Rhodes22-list <
rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:

> Hi Peter:
>
> Thanks for the reply. I have thought of that possibility. I guess I won't
> really know until I get her out under sail and see how it goes in that
> configuration.
>  And by water, Peter, thanks for all of the great work on the web site. As
> a retired IT guy, I know the difficulties and challenges of database
> conversions, user interfaces and user support. You have clearly given a lot
> of thought to getting it right.
>
> Tom
>
> On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 9:03 AM Peter Nyberg <peter at sunnybeeches.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Tom,
> >
> > The only concern that comes to mind is whether the aft pulpit will
> > interfere excessively with mainsail sheet when sailing on a broad reach
> or
> > downwind.
> >
> > Mainsail sheeting on the Rhodes 22 seems to be an area where all
> solutions
> > have significant downsides.
> >
> > --Peter
> >
> > > On 2024-04-11, at 18:17:30 EDT, Tom Hyatt wrote:
> > >
> > > A question to the group from a novice Rhodes owner.
> > >
> > > I have a 1978 Rhodes that did not come with any sort of traveler or
> > mainsheet
> > > system. I built my own traveler using guidance from a number of smart
> > people on
> > > this list. I mounted it on the backstays in the way most all Rhodes 22s
> > that I
> > > have seen have it mounted - a little above chest level in the slot
> along
> > the
> > > stays where there is a second bit of wire rope clamped in.  In
> > principle, it all
> > > works fine. However, to get to the outboard controls is almost
> > impossible. I
> > > have added a tiller extension to the handle but still, that is awkward.
> > The
> > > traveler as it is positioned does not allow me to get close to the
> stern
> > either
> > > for starting the motor or managing the motor tiller.
> > >
> > > Today I toyed with the idea of doing away with the bar traveler
> > altogether and
> > > installing a short rail along the stern in the way a Catalina 22 is
> > configured.
> > > That would cut down on the length of the traveler and diminish its
> > usefulness
> > > but would do away with the awkward bar that keeps me from having easy
> > access to
> > > the stern and motor controls. Of course, I would lose most of the
> > ability to
> > > raise the rudder tiller but I think I could live with that.
> > >
> > > BUT THEN ... I got the idea to just lower the traveler bar to just
> above
> > the
> > > stern deck and use stay clamps to hold it in place along the stays. In
> > this
> > > manner, it is totally out of the way but still would function in the
> way
> > it
> > > would if it were higher up. I will need to lengthen my mainsheet but
> > that's
> > > about the only alteration it seems that I need to make.
> > >
> > > I am open to any information, suggestions, experiences, etc that any of
> > you can
> > > offer. I am about to put my boat in next week and can certainly live
> > with the
> > > configuration as I have seen it, but would love to improve it so that I
> > can more
> > > easily get to and control my outboard and make better use of what seems
> > like
> > > wasted cockpit space.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > >
> > > Tom Hyatt
> > > S/V Eliza Jane 78
> > > Baltimore, MD
> > >
> > > .
> > >
> >
> >
> > [ Sent From rhodes22.net ]
> >
>