how to use the main traveler properly?1

[drinu]

hey guys,

I have a jeanneau 33.1 and i would like to receive feedback how to use the main traveler properly and also how to rig the mainsail well.

thanks,

Andrew (drinu) ;D

[Tim]

Hi Andrew

I'm not sure what the traveller arrangement is on a 33.1 but I can give you a general idea.

On the SF35 I race we have a traveller across the cockpit. The use of this is that the main can be eased during gusts to keep the boat on its feet without having to ease the mainsheet and thereby lose that precious leech tension you worked so hard to get right!

Obviously the sheet needs continual adjustment (we use a fine tune for this) but it's much easier to handle the gusts, and come fast out the other side, with the traveller.

Tim

[freedomsong]

Hi Andrew:
I really appreciated Tim's reply. I never thought of slacking the traveler in gusts...can't wait to try it.
You may already know this, and others may have a different opinion, but I have always used the travelor to point higher. Expert sailor friends showed me how to pull the travelor up to the windward side until the boom is almost centered on the boat. We had an Endeavour 35 before we purchased our SO 45.1, and on the Endeavour we could even pull the boom up past center and gain 1/2 a knot or better upwind. The Jeanneau does not seem to respond quite as well to that technique. Perhaps because of old sails...perhaps because of in mast roller furling. We are having North Sails build a new, larger main with vertical batons. This sail will have some roach and be a little bigger in overall sail area. I'll reply again if we gain anything with the new sails using the technique I have described.
Would love to hear other's opinions on this subject. We are still in the learning curve on how to get this SO 45 going.

Hope that helps,
Rich Rogers
s/v FreedomSong, SO 45.1
Commencement Bay, Tacoma, WA, USA

[danny]

I have a Sun Legende. The main's traveler is on the roof.
I usually set the main to it's best shape and then adjust it's angle of attack with the traveller.If we find ourselves with a good wind with gusts into the 18-22 kts range, we then control heel with the traveller. It will also be adjusted when wind is blowing 15-25 kts to control weather helm.
In steady light moderate winds, beating, I will bring the boom upwind past the centerline. The SL responds to this technique. The weather helm will then tell me if it's appropriate for the situation.

Danny
SL 41 Styl'eau II