Travelers for Tanzer 16's

Tanzer 16 Racing -- Travelers for Tanzer 16's -- August 17, 2014 -- Got an email from Ethan in Rhode Island.  He saved his money and convinced his dad to let him buy a Tanzer 16.  He wanted to know if he could improve on the rigid metal traveler on his boat.  It looks like this, and like all Tanzer things, it is simple and it works pretty well.

Simple but effective -- one of the nice things about Tanzer 16's.  Notice the 

nifty line to retract the rudder.  This photo is from the link "How to

make a rudder..."

But it could work better.  This arrangement won't allow you to loosen up the main sheet and still move the boom to windward.  The original plans show two different options.

Notice this drawing does not show how high the metal would have to be

to allow for rudder clearance.  I have never seen this arrangement.

Better, but they still had another option.

We had pictures of this arrangement when we viewed Ralph's boat in

July, 2014.

The class association manual shows what they call the Howe Traveler.  It looks like this.

I can see how this would allow you to flatten the main, but it doesn't look

like you can move the boom to windward.  I must admit that I have never

actually seen this particular arrangement in person or in a photo.

My boat had this traveler installed by Ron who sold the boat to me. I get a lot of control from this arrangement, but it is really difficult to adjust when there 10 or more knots of wind.  It really needs some form of mechanical advantage.  Maybe this winter we will add some two-part blocks.

This allows a lot of control and adjustment.  You can flatten the sail or

loosen it up, and you can control the boom position.

Truth be told--when we have to sail up to the launch dock on a super tight beat (a frequent occurrence in the evening when the wind comes out of the NW)  I just grab the boom and pull it to windward with my hand.

(Still waiting for parts to make my hinged mast--another winter project it would seem.)

Today's Cliche: The chances for failure increase exponentially as the number of people or parts involved increases  (one guy with a rock is far more reliable than a committee with a computer).
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