Jib/Genoa track as traveler?

[lweisman]

My older CP-16 came rigged for midboom sheeting but the design was inadequate to pull the boom fully amidships.  Thinking a traveler would solve the problem I recently installed a 1.5mm Ronstan track and sliding car with plunge stops in front of the companionway for the mainsheet.  It works great except to position the boom, but  I didn't realize that with each tack in order to move the traveler car I have to briefly release the mainsheet tension enough to allow the car to slide when I lift the plunger.  Not very convenient.  I didn't really understand how travelers are supposed to work, though I do now (more or less). 
I'm not sure if I should just pull the track and install a new true traveler system, or just install some cam cleats at either end and find a car that will slide freely on my current track. Perhaps I can remove/disable the plunger on my current car and use that with a line attached at each side to cam cleats.  I think single lines would be adequate to move the car under tension, without needing pulleys for mechanical advantage.  Any thoughts?

Lee in VT

[Pacman]

Why not just tack and then pull the traveler into the desired position?  It should not require much effort and then you could move stop to hold it in position.

Not as smooth as a purpose-built traveler but it should work just fine.

[lweisman]

Thanks for your input.  When I tack, the tension on the main sheet doesn't seem to slacken enough to allow the car to slide, so I momentarily need to release tension fully to reposition it.  My CP16 has midboom sheeting, which I've modified from the previous owner's version, which didn't work well. Part of the problem might be that when close hauled the mainsheet (which runs directly from midboom to in-front of hatchway) acts like a boom vang.  The other problem is I don't really know how to properly use a traveler in the first place.

In the interim we bought a slightly larger daysailer (Harbor 20) so now we're hoping to find a good home for this great little boat, which essentially taught us how to sail.
Lee