There is regular discussion here on traveler controls and how much "purchase" is sufficient.
Stock setup on the 0-34 was a three part purchase on each side, with the free end cleated off to a cam cleat on the inside of each cockpit combing, just above the double turning block. This works well, but can take a strong pull requiring the trimmer to sit on the combing and pull the line up between his/her knees.
Since we had the whole traveler off the boat this last year, I decided to replace the OEM Harken track and car with new parts. While the track looks the same, the new car is a different design, with the sheaves offset to either side, which lowers the profile of the whole assembly.
A very well thought out design, IMHO. Lucky us, the molded-in recess channel in the bridge deck for the traveler does allow this newer car to fit in. i.e. it's wide enough. Easier to step over, too. All in all, a nice upgrade.
I reused the original Harken double turning blocks on each end. Then we added an SS pad eye beside each block set. This allowed an extra "part" in the tackle, and we now have a 4 to 1 pull.
This might work on the Ericson's with bridge decks, altho some careful measurement would be required if you want to use this traveler and car combo on the housetop designs. Verify if your boat has a wide enough channel for this new style car to ride in.
Like the factory setup, this is through bolted, and now all of those fastener penetrations are epoxy cast and re-drilled. Note: getting some of the nuts and large washers back on, from underneath, was.... um... arduous.
We kept the stock 6 to 1 mainsheet, since it works well. One little change was to replace the former SS wire pennant with a new dyneema one that is a bit longer and so removes more mainsheet length, making jibes even easier.
Stock setup on the 0-34 was a three part purchase on each side, with the free end cleated off to a cam cleat on the inside of each cockpit combing, just above the double turning block. This works well, but can take a strong pull requiring the trimmer to sit on the combing and pull the line up between his/her knees.
Since we had the whole traveler off the boat this last year, I decided to replace the OEM Harken track and car with new parts. While the track looks the same, the new car is a different design, with the sheaves offset to either side, which lowers the profile of the whole assembly.
A very well thought out design, IMHO. Lucky us, the molded-in recess channel in the bridge deck for the traveler does allow this newer car to fit in. i.e. it's wide enough. Easier to step over, too. All in all, a nice upgrade.
I reused the original Harken double turning blocks on each end. Then we added an SS pad eye beside each block set. This allowed an extra "part" in the tackle, and we now have a 4 to 1 pull.
This might work on the Ericson's with bridge decks, altho some careful measurement would be required if you want to use this traveler and car combo on the housetop designs. Verify if your boat has a wide enough channel for this new style car to ride in.
Like the factory setup, this is through bolted, and now all of those fastener penetrations are epoxy cast and re-drilled. Note: getting some of the nuts and large washers back on, from underneath, was.... um... arduous.
We kept the stock 6 to 1 mainsheet, since it works well. One little change was to replace the former SS wire pennant with a new dyneema one that is a bit longer and so removes more mainsheet length, making jibes even easier.
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Starb. side traveler.jpg -
Traveler Car.jpg -
Traveler car looking down.jpg
