Letting the car slap

[NorthernMac]

Hey guys, maybe it’s the OCD in me, but sometimes when doing a fast tack in weather, having the main traveler car slap the stop just makes me cringe, is this just the nature of the beast or anything I should be doing different?


Thanks!

[a64pilot]

With a boom brake it won’t do that. It will come over slowly, before the brake I would steer so it came over slowly, but I’m no racer and my boat isn’t either.

[AKA-None]

On my little boat I center the main as I’m tacking which reduces the impact

[thinwater]

Why is it hitting the stop? Do you leave it released on the new tack, rather than keeping it centered? If you do let it ease--which can be a good idea in heavy weather--mark the line so that it will stop a few inches off the stop. Additionally, you can use climbing rope to further cushion the impact. The same thing can be done jibing. Many variations.



You don't use a boom brake for tacking... not needed and the main might not move early enough or easily enough.


Easy.

[Tillsbury]

I’m not sure why it would slap any time. Don’t you have it secured in place wherever you’ve chosen? I tend to move the traveller as the first step of a tack — let it off to leeward and secure it where I’ll want it, then go about. That way the traveller is already up once I’ve tacked where it would be much harder to pull it up. Either way the traveller doesn’t “slap the stop” unless I’ve forgotten to cleat the traveller in place.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

I’m not sure why it would slap any time. Don’t you have it secured in place wherever you’ve chosen? I tend to move the traveller as the first step of a tack — let it off to leeward and secure it where I’ll want it, then go about. That way the traveller is already up once I’ve tacked where it would be much harder to pull it up. Either way the traveller doesn’t “slap the stop” unless I’ve forgotten to cleat the traveller in place.

Think I’m not describing thing well, maybe self tacker is a better word.

I have a fiddle block mounted on a car on a track with one pin pull and then lock adjustable stops at ether end, no line going on ether side of the car.

[TrentePieds]

Hm.. Think about what the traveler stops are really FOR! Then just modify your traveler and track so the car won't bang against the stops. Maybe also modify your tacking technique.

TrentePieds

[senormechanico]

This seems to be we are talking about GYBING, not tacking.
If it's a tack, you are going upwind, and unlikely having the traveler moving off center unless there's a lot of wind.
Can you please give us a bit more information about sea state, wind etc?

[Taipe]

I think I understand your dilemma, because you told us it occurs when you are on a fast tack. This leads me to think that adjusting the boom to the mid-point of the traveler might be causing more momentary lean than you want to endure. Cruisers find a boom lock to be most valuable when the person on watch is distracted. And, it saves wear and tear on the rigging. Check out the Scott Boom Lock and let their tech support team know the make and cross-cut dimensions of your boom.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by NorthernMac

Think I’m not describing thing well, maybe self tacker is a better word.

I have a fiddle block mounted on a car on a track with one pin pull and then lock adjustable stops at ether end, no line going on ether side of the car.

Please post a picture. I think we are not understanding what you are describing.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by NorthernMac

Think I’m not describing thing well, maybe self tacker is a better word.

I have a fiddle block mounted on a car on a track with one pin pull and then lock adjustable stops at ether end, no line going on ether side of the car.

Just before tacking, move the stop to the side of the car.

[CassidyNZ]

My boat and I believe the majority of boats, have lines in a block system on both sides of the car on the main sheet traveller that allow setting of the car in a specific spot. It only has stop blocks at each end of the traveller to prevent the car going AWOL.

The absence of these lines means one has to man-handle the car to the desired position with a drawing main and then position the stop blocks to hold it there. On a 37 ft boat this could be quite difficult and even moderately dangerous in anything but light winds.

Or perhaps I’ve misunderstood the situation.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by CassidyNZ

My boat and I believe the majority of boats, have lines in a block system on both sides of the car on the main sheet traveller that allow setting of the car in a specific spot. It only has stop blocks at each end of the traveller to prevent the car going AWOL.

The absence of these lines means one has to man-handle the car to the desired position with a drawing main and then position the stop blocks to hold it there. On a 37 ft boat this could be quite difficult and even moderately dangerous in anything but light winds.

Or perhaps I’ve misunderstood the situation.

You got it, so should I just leave it in the center?
Maybe add some blocks during the refit?

Main


Also the staysail runs along a bar, like this

[StuM]

Originally Posted by NorthernMac

You got it, so should I just leave it in the center?
Maybe add some blocks during the refit?

With that setup on a 30 fter, I'd be locking the car in the centre of the traveller before tacking.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by StuM

With that setup on a 30 fter, I'd be locking the car in the centre of the traveller before tacking.

Now getting it to center with any power in the sails.

So should I add blocks to it?

Any thoughts on about staysail setup?

Thanks!

And happy thanksgiving! (If you’re into that sort of thing )