Relocating a Traveler

[jerrys]

I would like to reuse the factory installed traveler on my Catalina 30 ( 1979) and relocate it from behind the steering binnacle to the cabin top.

Has anyone done it or tried to do it and is it possible at all. Thanks for any comments and suggestions.

[levm]

I have seen some Catalina 30s with the traveller on the cabin top but I don't have first hand experience with this setup. I did have a similar situation on my boat and I ended up using two block systems for the main and got rid of the traveller altogether. I was amazed how well it worked. Each set is tied to one side of the boat and it gives excellent control over the sail. When going down wind one set is used as a sheet while the other is used as preventer. When on anchor or in harbor one set is detached and the boom is kept only with one set clearing it (the boom) from the center of the cockpit (and away from unsuspecting skulls). In my case it also minimizes shade from the solar panels but that's a different story.


May the good winds always be with you

[HappyMdRSailor]

Aren't travelers by definition always relocating???

Welcome to CF jerry!

Realize you are now asking your traveler to take at least 2-3x the load moving it forward... It (maybe) Means:

a) traveler size may not be up to the task
a-1/2) increased sheet loads
b) increased sheet size
c) a lot of work reinforcing the coachroof

Just thinks to consider... No absolutely's given...

Never owned a C30, but there should be TONS of info available!

[jeepbluetj]

My C30 had the useless stock curved traveller on the cabin roof. I replaced it with a new Garhaurer traveller. On of the best things i ever did for the boat. I got the entire c30 upgrade kit. traveller, vang, mainsheet blocks, jib blocks. It was suprisingly inexpensive. Highly recomennded.

[jerrys]

Thanks to all for the reply's Luckily I have the Winter to think about it...

[anchorbend]

here you go.


Catalina Direct: C-30 Mid Boom Traveler Upgrade Teak Mount

[goat]

I was always of the mind that you had the traveler behind the binnacle for ease of access so you don't have to scoot around the wheel if you're in a hurry. Mine's on the cabin top but with a tiller it's closer than the transom. My last boat, with a wheel, had it on the back deck and was really handy for days with variable winds.

Sent from my SGH-I257M using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[jeepbluetj]

Every Catalina 30 I've seen had in on the cabin top. But I'm no expert. Catalina's drawings for my boat (1980) all show mid-boom sheeting to the cabintop.

I used the one Anchorbend linked to. If I did it again I would get the one that dispenses with the teak blocks and go straight to the cabin top.
The whole kit:
https://www.catalinadirect.com/index...0-complete.cfm
(Catalina direct sells the same thing that Garhaurer does. )


With the new traveler, the boat is soooo much easier to sail. I rarely touch the mainsheet. Only for twist or downwind. There's plenty of travel with the traveler. Force on all parts of the boat are the same as stock (for my boat).