Mid boom sheeting dimensions?

[brackish]

Any current active members of this Forum using mid boom sheeting with bridge deck traveler on a 23?  If so, I'd like to get a couple of measurements if possible.  How far back from the companionway thresh hold have you placed your traveler track.  And from a point on the bottom of your boom at the last mainsheet block what is the dimension to the closest point on your backstay when pulled approximately parallel to the earth.  I can actually get the second one if I have the first one.  I'm trying to determine whether I can still use my bimini with mid boom sheeting without alteration.  I know winter may not be the best time to get these measurements, but maybe.....

Yeah, I know we've had the pros and cons discussion before, and I'm on the pro side based on boats of the past.  However, the bimini wins no matter what, so trying to resolve that issue.

[peterg]

Hi Brack,
  My traveler is mounted three inches in front of of the forward seam of the cockpit lazarettes. The mainsheet goes straight up to a bail on the boom, which is twenty inches from the aft end of the boom. This works out to eight feet from the mast. Everything is down for storage right now, so no measurement to backstay.  Alternatively, you could put a traveler bridge over the companionway and really get the traveler forward and out of the way of your bimini, with the mainsheet inclining slightly rearward instead of straight up. I did this on one of my CP19s and it worked very well. In fact, it was closer to true midboom sheeting than my current installation.

[brackish]

Hi Brack,
  My traveler is mounted three inches in front of of the forward seam of the cockpit lazarettes. The mainsheet goes straight up to a bail on the boom, which is twenty inches from the aft end of the boom. This works out to eight feet from the mast. Everything is down for storage right now, so no measurement to backstay.  Alternatively, you could put a traveler bridge over the companionway and really get the traveler forward and out of the way of your bimini, with the mainsheet inclining slightly rearward instead of straight up. I did this on one of my CP19s and it worked very well. In fact, it was closer to true midboom sheeting than my current installation.

Thanks.  So does your traveler track bridge the cockpit seats?  That would pretty much eliminate my bimini so that won't work.  I thought about over the companionway but don't want that obstruction.  With it on the bridge deck I can move it to the side when docked, anchored or motoring.  That track support across the companionway is always there. 

I'm going for a sail tomorrow (61F with 9mph out of the south, a rare Jan. break), so I'll drop a plumb bob from the boom to an appropriate place on the bridge deck and see what I have to the backstay from that point.  Then I can measure my bimini which is currently in seasonal storage and see if I think it will work.

[HeaveToo]

I am watching this threat with a lot of interest and hoping for pictures.

What an AWESOME idea!  Cleaning up the back of the boat would be nice.  I can understand a mount on the bridge deck and that would allow for a small dodger and a big bimini.  You could have a split connector for bad weather if you are motoring.  You would also have better sail control with a traveler.

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!!!!

[Salty19]

Shamelessly pulling a picture from our own PeterG's photo bucket album of cabin top mounted traveler.  It's a CP19 but same concept.

[AislinGirlII]

Also interested here; Aislin Girl II has a traveler, but it is back at the boom end and bridges across the stern under the stern pulpit railings. Getting it over the cabin would sure clean up the cockpit. Wife prefers a bimini that offers as much shade from astern as possible (fair skinned Danish type). On the previous boat (also mid boom sheeting) we ran the backstay thru the bimini and got a lot of protection for her..

[BruceW]

I guess this might not be helpful, but the traveler on the stern edge of the bridge deck was okay for me when I had my slipper. The bimini worked out great. I can't remember how it was in the Suncat, the only other boat I've had with a traveler. I think it might have been up at the leading edge of the bridge deck, though.

Good luck with the project!

I liked that mounting system in the picture of the 19!

[HeaveToo]

My input, so far, is that I don't think that you can go to the cabin roof with the design of the boat.  It will be too close to one end and not close enough to the center.  I had mid boom sheeting with a traveler on the cabin roof in my Catalina 30 but it worked out okay.  It did have three different attachment points for the blocks on the boom.

It will probably have to be on the bridge deck.  That will still give you an open rear end of the cockpit and a larger bimini.  You could also put a dodger on there.  It would probably make it easier to move forward.  It is a little tight to move forward with my bimini and dodger up right now with my set-up.

[AislinGirlII]

I guess this might not be helpful, but the traveler on the stern edge of the bridge deck was okay for me when I had my slipper. The bimini worked out great. I can't remember how it was in the Suncat, the only other boat I've had with a traveler. I think it might have been up at the leading edge of the bridge deck, though.

Good luck with the project!

I liked that mounting system in the picture of the 19!

Come to think of it, the traveler is probably too flat and close to the deck to go over the cabin top anyway..

[peterg]

Thanks.  So does your traveler track bridge the cockpit seats?  That would pretty much eliminate my bimini so that won't work.  I thought about over the companionway but don't want that obstruction.  With it on the bridge deck I can move it to the side when docked, anchored or motoring.  That track support across the companionway is always there. 

I'm going for a sail tomorrow (61F with 9mph out of the south, a rare Jan. break), so I'll drop a plumb bob from the boom to an appropriate place on the bridge deck and see what I have to the backstay from that point.  Then I can measure my bimini which is currently in seasonal storage and see if I think it will work.

Hey Brack- the traveler does, indeed, go fully side-to-side across the cockpit. Kind of gives the helmsman and trimmer their own personal spaces. This was already installed in this fashion by the previous original owner. If it had the original sheeting when purchased, I would have fabricated and installed a track over the companionway, per the CP19. On the 19, I never got around to mounting a traveler on the fabricated arch, and attached the lower part of the mainsheet assembly to a point on the center of the arch- still worked beautifully for sail shape, and barely needed to use the vang. The arch was mounted in such a fashion that access to the cabin did not require extraordinary contortions, and, in fact, was a nice handhold when entering and exiting the cabin in exuberant sailing conditions. Traveler arches are available to match arched traveler tracks, but are fairly pricey. If you still do not want to mount over the companionway, a bridge deck mount close to the drop board end should give you clearance and great sail control- I'll scrounge around and see if I can find some pics of my current system. I am a firm believer in getting the mainsheet off the stern of the boat, if only to keep from getting tangled up in the mainsheet lines when operating the outboard (particularly when backing into the slip-don't ask!!)

[brackish]

OK looks like if I mount the traveler/track on the bridge deck and keep the aft most contact point on the boom to half way, I can squeeze out seventy inches between that and the backstay at that point.  Now to pull that bimini out of storage and see if it will fit.  Trying to decide to stay with 4:1 as the current aft setup has or go to 6:1.  If I do this I'll get a custom boom plate that will attach two or three blocks spreading the load over a foot or so.

Sail was great today, BTW. 

[BruceW]

Brackish,

It may be obvious, but what is the reason for the change? I think I got used to the traveler/mid-boom thing, and now I'm used to the end-boom thing. I haven't got a bimini, yet, and I haven't got that change in hardware to make the cleat quit flopping (you know, the one where you snug the mainsheet). So, I need to change something. Not sure if I will just change that cleat, or maybe copy your mod.

Anyway, I'll be interested in how it goes.

[brackish]

Brackish,

It may be obvious, but what is the reason for the change? I think I got used to the traveler/mid-boom thing, and now I'm used to the end-boom thing. I haven't got a bimini, yet, and I haven't got that change in hardware to make the cleat quit flopping (you know, the one where you snug the mainsheet). So, I need to change something. Not sure if I will just change that cleat, or maybe copy your mod.

Anyway, I'll be interested in how it goes.

Reasons:

I single hand a lot and want to keep all sheets in front of me rather than turning around to deal with the mainsheet.  That reaching back also makes it a little difficult to break it loose when a big gust comes along.
I've hung up the end boom main sheet on my tiller, tiller pilot, sport-a-seat, mounted magma grill, my neck, and lost my Tilly in the water a number of times. Thank goodness that thing floats for a while.  It is usually ok when on a beat and just letting it shift back and forth a few inches, but on other points of sail, no good.  It is particularly irritating on a light air run and certainly adds an element of adventure to an unplanned jibe.
It is in the way when adjusting the motor mount and starting the motor.
It is in the way when using the boarding ladder.
It is in the way when using the Magma
It limits how far back you can move the bimini.  My bimini with end boom gives pretty good coverage well past the foot well forward where there are no folks, but not enough aft.
better sail shape and trim having a traveler, although that is a minor issue with me.
I had mid boom on several past boats and liked it better. There is the argument that it blocks the companionway, I never found that to be a big issue on the past boats.

[Mas]

This 23 that's for sale has a unique traveler set up. I actually have communicated with the fellow regarding his boat and a few items on her. Looks to be a pretty good deal for anyone looking for a 23. Regardless check out the stats and pics, one has a view of a stern mounted traveler. If i can figure out how to post pics, I actually have better close ups he emailed me of the setup.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/53657

Hope this helps in pondering such.

[BruceW]

Reasons:

I single hand a lot and want to keep all sheets in front of me rather than turning around to deal with the mainsheet.  That reaching back also makes it a little difficult to break it loose when a big gust comes along.
I've hung up the end boom main sheet on my tiller, tiller pilot, sport-a-seat, mounted magma grill, my neck, and lost my Tilly in the water a number of times. Thank goodness that thing floats for a while.  It is usually ok when on a beat and just letting it shift back and forth a few inches, but on other points of sail, no good.  It is particularly irritating on a light air run and certainly adds an element of adventure to an unplanned jibe.
It is in the way when adjusting the motor mount and starting the motor.
It is in the way when using the boarding ladder.
It is in the way when using the Magma
It limits how far back you can move the bimini.  My bimini with end boom gives pretty good coverage well past the foot well forward where there are no folks, but not enough aft.
better sail shape and trim having a traveler, although that is a minor issue with me.
I had mid boom on several past boats and liked it better. There is the argument that it blocks the companionway, I never found that to be a big issue on the past boats.

But other than that....

Well, I agree with all those reasons, by the way. I am in the inertia of...well, me, I guess. I have a few other things ahead of it. I think I need the deckpipe installed, a bimini bought and installed, and some new stuff for my wiring done. Then, maybe.