Are traveler systems overrated?

[davideso37]

On our SO37 we used to be heavy mainsheet traveler users especially in gusty conditions. The traveler length was not long enough to avoid also dumping the mainsheet in gusty conditions and there was not sufficient purchases to easily pull the traveler back to the centre line. I now have a longer boom with rear end fixed sheeting but with one mainsheet loop still going to the mid boom traveler to help to pull the boom to windward in light airs. We have a coarse tune and fine tune on the mainsheet which gives us plenty to play with in all conditions and I don't miss the traveler handling.
I have sailed mainsheet hand on a Bakewell White 36 with an long efficient traveller and with a wide travel on a very light yacht I could see some advantage. Recently however, I observed a top Bakewell White 36 with centre sheeting and a bridle to centre the boom when needed. With modern strong boom vangs are mainsheet travelers really worth the trouble? I'll just throw that question our for the collective wisdom of the forum.
Regards
David

[tedp]

On our SO32 we are having roundup problems similar to those described in another thread (jeanneau.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=per&action=display&thread=718). We frequently have to dump the main in gusty weather. From what I read this kind of trouble isn't uncommon in contemporary cruising boats with a fat stern.

One or two forum members fitted a traveller to the cabin top which they seem to be quite happy with. Another member fitted a short traveller from the SF32 in the cockpit, but from what he says I think a Cunningham hole in the mainsail might be an effective and simple measure to start with instead.

The object of a mainsheet traveller of course is to control sail shape, but you need a traveller that is long enough to put the boom 'in the corner', otherwise it won't help you. On my previous 23ft boat I had a very long traveller which I always used to depower the main in strong gusts, or to delay having to reef. I only occasionally used it to pull the boom to the centre line of the boat.

As you say, using a powerful vang may well be used to flatten the sail in a similar manner as a traveller, although perhaps the boom will start to curve a bit - having a traveller on the cabin top will probably have the same effect. Using a bridle to center the boom should work well enough.

For myself I'm now going to fit a Cunningham to the main for starters, together with a backstay tensioner. Next season we'll try that out first and see what happens before I fit a traveller on the cabin roof.