[C38] Travelers

Mon Mar 23 22:07:09 EDT 2009

Steve 

I totally agree with Dave. I find that traveling up is quite beneficial in the Delta winds, But you have to do a lot of pre-planning with the curved track when you tack and it would be so much easier with a straight track. Being able to bring all your control lines under the traveler to the cockpit without the wood riser is also a design benefit. 

Your going to love it, give them a call 
Kerry Grimes 
Little Breeze 139 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Epstein" <davidepstein at seicontrol.com> 
To: "Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org> 
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 11:35:38 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: Re: [C38] Travelers 

Steve, 

I sent you a response with photos a couple of days ago, but it is still "being held until the list moderator can review it for approval". I assume the hold is due to the attachments. I'll try again here, this time without the photos (email me if you want them sent directly to you). 

The curved design was a great idea in terms of being low profile, but a terrible idea for sail trim. As you travel away from center, you are also sheeting in the main, requiring two steps each time you move the traveller (if you want to maintain the same sail shape). Conversely, when travelling towards center, you are easing the mainsheet. With the straight traveller, you can travel up and down without changing the sheet tension, other than very slightly. (The theoretically "perfect" traveller would be straight across the top of the cabin, but curved away from the mast to match the arc of the boom, although I have never seen that done on a C38.) 

The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to upgrade to the Garhauer straight traveller system, which is what I did about eight years ago. Another advantage is that, at least on my boat, the curved track cars were marginal in quality, and did not have the purchase that the Garhauer does, so it is substantially easier now to move the traveller under load. We used to have to use a winch under extreme loads, which is always a bad idea. 

As to the installation, Garhauer makes "custom" stainless steel adapters to accommodate the shape of the cabin top. I was going to make some new riser blocks out of teak to match what was there, but I think the adapters are a better solution. Not only did they eliminate another project, and I was able to run lines through them to my mainsheet and topping lift winches. I vaguely remember sending my old traveller and blocks (or a tracing) to them so that they could precisely match the existing hole pattern. And yes, you may need to modify your dodger but IMHO, it is well worth it. 

As everyone else has said, my experience is that the folks at Garhauer are really great to work with, and the cost/performance ratio can't be beat. I also agree that on a C38, the small amount of additional weight is just not important enough to pay twice or more for Harken. 

David Epstein 
SuperStar, #122 
Marina del Rey, CA 

At 11:04 AM 3/23/2009, you wrote: 

Kerry, 

Would you expand on your comments about straight or curved, Im looking into replacing the whole system, obviously the easiest is replace with curved track and use whats on the deck, anyone have thoughts on curved vs. straight? Thanks. 

From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org [ mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org ] On Behalf Of littlebreeze at comcast.net 
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 9:18 AM 
To: drstrong at ucdavis.edu; Catalina 38 Listserve 
Subject: Re: [C38] Travelers 

Steve 
I replaced my traveler with a Garhauer unit. I was beautifully done and works very well. In fact, I didn't know what use the traveler was until I changed for one which would move under load. The only mistake I made was having them duplicate the arc of the taveler. I wish I had ordered a straight one. I feel it would be more usable and easier to use as a straight traveler. Any Ideas? Garhauer makes a very nice unit. 

Kerry Grimes 
Little Breeze 139 
San Francisco 
Next week Marina Del Rey 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "D. R. Strong" <drstrong at ucdavis.edu> 
To: "Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org> 
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 4:41:16 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: Re: [C38] Travelers 

Steve: Discreet Charm has a Garhauer traveler, which was a replacement done by the previous owner. G knows the C38 and are helpful and knowledgeable on the phone. 
Don 

Steve Smolinske wrote: 
My Traveler gave up the ghost yesterday, I believe it is original equipment. Does anyone know if a replacement is available or do I need to upgrade and replace the track? I couldnt find one on Catalina Direct and there are no markings as far as part number or manufacturer. If it comes to replacing the system, what are your suggestions and experiences with other systems. I'm not excited about filling the old holes and drilling new ones the other problem is my dodger was made around the current lead positions for the traveler controller lines. Thanks. 

Steve 
Peregrine #312 
Seattle 

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-- 
Donald R. Strong
Professor
Section of Evolution and Ecology
University of California Davis
95616
530 752 7886 
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David Epstein 
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Tel 310.398.0032 
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www.soundsolutions.com 
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