Can Someone Explain the Theory Behind 2-Car Travellers ?

[Full Sail]

Originally a monohuller, now a multihuller. I'm having trouble figuring out the traveller system on my Bahia 46. Why the 2 cars?..seems like you can't control the sail angle with this setup. I'm sure I'm missing something and I know there are a few experts out there who can set me straight.

[s/v Jedi]

I have two cars on my traveler. But they are shackled together acting like one big car and I have this feeling your setup is very different. Pls. explain your setup like what attaches to each car and do you control car position...

cheers,
Nick.

[Full Sail]

I think we may have similar set ups. I have shackled my cars together, but I see most cats around here (French Cats) don't. The main sheet runs from a winch on my port side forward to almost the gooseneck through a turning block to the end of the boom, down to one of the cars, up to another block down to the other car up to the turning block, forward to a turning block at the gooseneck and then back to the winch on the starboard side.

Thanks

[Joli]

The arraingement you speak of was initially used by the (Germans?) in an Admirals Cup in the 80's. It was a way to adjust the main from the high side but makes a lot of sense for a beamy multi.

Maybe they needed the shackle to secure the anchor to the chain?

[s/v Jedi]

Okay... do you have a boom-vang?

cheers,
Nick.

[Full Sail]

no..no boom vang

[s/v Jedi]

Ah, then this arrangement with two cars is to compensate for not having a boom vang. You should not shackle the cars together but keep them apart so that the sheet creates a triangle with the deck. Keep the leeward car under the boom like you would do with a single car. When you tack the other car takes over.

I have never sailed without a boom vang so you are better off with someone else explaining how to use your setup optimally.

cheers,
Nick.

[senormechanico]

Do you have end boom preventers led to outside aft points? If so, they can act as a vang if needed if the boom is let out further than the leeward traveler car.

[Factor]

Yeah - most cats dont do vangs as the traveller width can deal with that issue.

[oscar]

Picture would be nice.....

[Full Sail]

I guess my issue with it is sheeting angles when one is trying to point

[cal40john]

I'll ask Jedi's question again, how are the traveller cars controlled? Can they be pulled to windward of the centerline?


I had always assumed that the dual cars were used due to too much load.

Harken Big Boat Captive Ball Traveler Cars are built to handle high loads on boats from 32 to 50 ft (9.5 to 15 m) and up to 70 ft (21 m) with coupled cars.

[s/v Jedi]

Trying to answer my own question ;-) : with two cars you could set each one in a position so that you don't need to change car positions while tacking.
Or, you could use one car to take the function of the boom vang (keeping it under the boom) while you use the other car to pull the boom inwards (sheet function).
But again, I don't really know so I'm just theorizing.

cheers,
Nick.

[svHyLyte]

Multiple cars allow the sheet loads to be distributed over a wider foot print thereby reducing the comprtessive loads on the balls in each car. Harken also uses such an arrangement--two or three smaller cars linked together--when there are vertical curves in the track to allow the greatest number of bearings to come in contact with the track. I cannot see how one could use cars that are not connected together in an adjustable traveler system very effectively but it could be done. It would be awkward, however, and not much that I can see would be gained.

FWIW...