SO40 Garhauer Traveler Conversion
Apr 13, 2013 3:56:35 GMT
Post by so40gtb on Apr 13, 2013 3:56:35 GMT
Dockmate Bruce and I fitted my new Garhauer MT-2UB traveler today. We had absolutely no problems of any kind, other than the collapsed dodger bows getting in the way as we aligned and secured it. Garhauer matched the mounting holes of the new extruded beam to those of the Amiot traveler, so everything aligned perfectly!
I had Garhauer build the traveler to an overall width of 1.5 meters, a 50% increase over the stock Amiot traveler. The large size of the traveler car and end fittings will not allow it to extend the full quarter-meter outside of the mounting pads, which was my objective, based on analysis of the forces. But it certainly does extend the range farther than that of the Amiot and, having a higher purchase, will be far easier to adjust. I'll see how this works over the summer and, if it appears that more range is needed, I'll acquire a wider track extrusion over the next winter.
Surprisingly, the control lines feed nicely through the existing turning blocks with no friction with fixed surfaces. I've rigged them port-to-port and starboard-to-starboard, which results in a slight inward angle proceeding forward from the innermost line clutches. I did not use the factory-provided, track-attached cam cleats, as these would be interfered with by our dodger. I'm sure that I can put those cam cleats to good use elsewhere!
Springtime launch is planned for month's end, so it will be a while before I can describe the sailing performance of this traveler.
We also fitted a pair of Harken 20ST radial secondary winches to the cabintop, in addition to the original 40STs. The main purpose of these winches is for gentle release of line clutches under load, with the vast majority of line take-up to be done on the 40STs. We now have 4 more winches than existed on the SO34.2 that we sold a year ago!
Yes, these projects will be the subject of future "Hints" articles, with pictures, dimensions, etc.
--Karl
I had Garhauer build the traveler to an overall width of 1.5 meters, a 50% increase over the stock Amiot traveler. The large size of the traveler car and end fittings will not allow it to extend the full quarter-meter outside of the mounting pads, which was my objective, based on analysis of the forces. But it certainly does extend the range farther than that of the Amiot and, having a higher purchase, will be far easier to adjust. I'll see how this works over the summer and, if it appears that more range is needed, I'll acquire a wider track extrusion over the next winter.
Surprisingly, the control lines feed nicely through the existing turning blocks with no friction with fixed surfaces. I've rigged them port-to-port and starboard-to-starboard, which results in a slight inward angle proceeding forward from the innermost line clutches. I did not use the factory-provided, track-attached cam cleats, as these would be interfered with by our dodger. I'm sure that I can put those cam cleats to good use elsewhere!
Springtime launch is planned for month's end, so it will be a while before I can describe the sailing performance of this traveler.
We also fitted a pair of Harken 20ST radial secondary winches to the cabintop, in addition to the original 40STs. The main purpose of these winches is for gentle release of line clutches under load, with the vast majority of line take-up to be done on the 40STs. We now have 4 more winches than existed on the SO34.2 that we sold a year ago!
Yes, these projects will be the subject of future "Hints" articles, with pictures, dimensions, etc.
--Karl