We Dont Need No Stinkin' Winches!!!!!
like I said before.you can have a 2000 dollar bhote with 25,000 dollars in upgrades and gear.you still got a bhote thats 25 feet 7 inches long.a darn goodn' at that so k.i.s.s.In fact it is my opinion that the only need for winches on an ariel is for the main and jib halyards.a working jib of this size (in my opinion) needs only jamcleats.(anna' paira' work gloves.) HEAVE HO YEE SCURVY KNAVES!!!! an'ifyaz' put up a big foresail it better not be so windy to where ya needa' winch.in all my miles I barely put up a genny EVER..nuttinz' more useful than a good set of workin'jibs--an' with reef points at that.it aint all funnan' games I tellya---when ya feel that mast begin to pump the hull---at 3am---getyerz' asses up thar' an' shorten sail NOW .DONT BOTHER TO HEAD UP-!!!!--THIS IS THE REAL WORLD-!!!!(its ok to let it luff alittle)--ever reef the main from the lee side??? while still under way???at 3am??? I dont even slow down fer a g-d damm fish on!!!
what's the point of a traveler?...
OK, I'm for simplicity, also.
The point of the traveler is to ease the main to leeward when the wind gets up without having to loosen the mainsheet.
Without a traveler: when the wind strengthens the main is unsheeted allowing the boom to rise and move to leeward which affects the sail shape by putting more curve in the leech.
A vang can be used to hold the boom down with or without a traveler. But it is more dangerous to use a vang without the traveler because huge loads could develop at the midboom point that might fold the boom unintentionally.
Modern hi-tech roller-bearing travelers on T-track can be moved easily under load with control lines in blocks - allowing sailtrim (moving the boom to leeward) without undoing the mainsheet.
Can it be argued that this is a safety feature?
The best place for a traveler (without arguement) in terms of sail-shape control is at the aft end of the cockpit. Because that is where the aft end of the boom is. In terms of fathoms of frikkin line on the cockpit floor and wrapped around the tiller it's a bit crackers.
It could be argued that a boom-high traveler frame that leads the mainsheet forward to the mast and back to the cabin top...And would arrange the traveler block controls on the uprights of the frame elliminating most of the tangle under foot...is an improvement.
Perhaps just too darn mo-dern for SOME traditionalists. At some point in the last 40 year we decided after-market stern pushpits were ok to have. Hunter pipe aesthetic is a problem. Is there a compromise?
Another point is just HOW important IS a traveler for satisfying control of the main on an A/C? Could sail with a loosened vang and just tighten it when needed. Or do I mean vicerversa? And remember to loosen it each time tacking! Maybe that's a reason for rigging double vangs???? (Not that I Got It, yet :confused: )
The traveler seems to only do one thing, right? Ease the main to leeward without moving the mainsheet - what else is the traveler used for?
IS a traveler worth all the fuss?
(this is NOT a rhetorical question!)
.................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ...
later EDIT. Travelers belong to the racers where tweeking is the game. Separate tackles to the end of the boom from the quarters is an easy
solution for the cruiser. The tackles do not share a single block on the boom. Each is separate. This will allow more control of the boom by the option of hauling and/or releasing the sheet on either the weather or lee side.... acting somewhat like the travelor....but with more line underfoot!