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Post by Hammbone on Sept 9, 2015 16:01:16 GMT -5
I've been thinking about getting the traveler for my main sail. I don't really want to spend $250 for it, but I've just seen too many comments from Steve and others saying how much it increases performance on the Wave. I think I'm gonna have to get one and give it a try. I've also been waiting until I got some experience on my Wave before getting a traveler. I wanted to "work my way up" the learning curve and not "jump in" head first trying to learn a lot all at once. I think I'm ready now though. After sailing this summer I feel pretty comfortable on my Wave, and I'm ready to learn more. I'm ready for the next step.
I'll probably be ordering a traveler soon. If anyone has any installation tips for me, please let me know. If anyone wants to see pics of my install or anything, just let me know.
Jim
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Post by DreamWeaver on Sept 11, 2015 4:58:31 GMT -5
Hi Jim, I've found the real benefit comes in heavy air approaching 20+ when you can set the main out with the traveler which will keep the hull from flying and flattens the boat out a lot with an increase in forward drive. If I didn't sail in the big air I'd never install one. Just my own observations. It does make sailing down wind a lot more fun with the traveler. The increase in forward drive the traveler can produce is a little unnerving at first. Once over 20 it's freakin' nuts.Like I've said before, don't be surprised to see speed boats on plane right next to you screamin' down the lake. Yes, it's that fast! But, when all hell breaks loose, there will be a lot more energy in play. Hahahahaha
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Post by Hammbone on Sept 11, 2015 8:48:12 GMT -5
That sounds good Steve.
I do want to get out in some big winds and give it a try......... if we ever get some big winds here. We haven't been getting much wind at all around here lately.
I'm starting to get a little bored in lighter winds.
I think I'll order the traveler today and be ready for some big wind when it finally does come.
Jim
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Post by Hammbone on Sept 11, 2015 9:02:48 GMT -5
I just learned something too. I watch all the Hobie Wave sailing videos on youtube, and I notice how in big winds, guys like you (charlie fizfaz) and the aussie guy (Geoff Victor) are able to keep the boat fairly flat and go really fast while other guys fly the hull, go slower, and have problems with their bows digging in. I figured the difference was mast rake and the use of a jib sail, but now I know that the traveler helps with that as well.
I understood that the traveler helped to keep better sail shape and improve speed, but I didn't know it can keep the hull from flying and flatten the boat out.
Thanks, Jim
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Post by DreamWeaver on Sept 14, 2015 14:53:38 GMT -5
Hi Jim, It's the single biggest factor in flattening her out for sure. It will pitch pole no matter how extreme the mast rake is though. The boat will only go so fast before the hydrodynamics (or lack of) of the hulls take over. Then it'll be ass over tea kettle. All cats pitch pole even set up correctly. Push'em hard enough and it WILL happen. If it never happens then ya ain't pushin' it hard enough. I push the line sometimes and just get lucky easing out just in the nick of time. hahahahahahaha If it doesn't try to pitch in 35's it's probably because of too much rake not allowing the top of the sail to close fully thereby depowering it. If the top of the sail is closed and you have ALL of the accelerator at your fingertips, it will happen. Even on the racing boats.The only time you tend not to see it is with the boats running chutes. There's so much lift out front that the boat will actually fly off the swells. Pretty cool. Scroll to 30 seconds in this video. Nutty!
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Post by Hammbone on Sept 15, 2015 9:22:24 GMT -5
Nice!
It seems like the traveler is going to make the boat more versatile, If I want to fly a hull, I can. If I want to keep the boat flat and go fast, I can. It's better for downwind sailing, etc. etc.
One thing I'm wondering... The instructions have you use the end of the main sheet in the traveler. Is there a reason for this? Wouldn't it be easier to just use a separate line?
Jim
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Post by Thunderstruck on Sept 16, 2015 8:43:45 GMT -5
I really like this thread as it's answering all my questions. When you do the install and pics or videos would be a great asset.
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Post by DreamWeaver on Sept 23, 2015 11:01:32 GMT -5
Yup, that's the correct way to set it up. It confused me at first but once you do it you'll understand it. No need to have additional lines on the tramp. I'm a visual type of person so seeing it helped me understand it a lot.
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Post by Hammbone on Sept 30, 2015 7:09:38 GMT -5
This may be a dumb question from a guy that's never used a traveler before, but......
With the traveler installed, when you try to sheet in, won't you just pull the traveler toward yourself? The cleat on the traveler keeps it from moving away from the wind, but it can still move toward the wind when you try to sheet in, right?
Jim
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Post by Hammbone on Oct 1, 2015 14:18:15 GMT -5
I really like this thread as it's answering all my questions. When you do the install and pics or videos would be a great asset. I've got my traveler installed now. It took me about 2-1/2 hours, and was not hard to do. Just keep the rivet gun straight (plumb) when driving the rivets so the heads will sit down in the countersunk holes in the track. I took some pics for you Rob. I'll post them now. Jim
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Post by Hammbone on Oct 1, 2015 14:41:37 GMT -5
Here's what comes with the traveler kit. I still say there's no way this should cost $250 !! Jim
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Post by Hammbone on Oct 1, 2015 14:44:42 GMT -5
The first thing you do is remove the eye strap from the rear crossbar. Here's the 4' wrench I made to get at the nuts inside the crossbar. You need a 3/8" wrench. Jim
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Post by Hammbone on Oct 1, 2015 14:51:24 GMT -5
I ground down opposing sides of my northern tool rivet gun tip so that it would fit down into the traveler track. I also used 3 small washers (that were the same size as the rivet heads) as spacers when driving the rivets. Jim
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Post by Hammbone on Oct 1, 2015 14:56:28 GMT -5
Fairly simple install. Here's the finished traveler, ready to sail. Let me know if you have any questions on the install. Jim
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Post by Thunderstruck on Oct 3, 2015 22:04:34 GMT -5
I took a very simplified route on this. I tied a line along the rear crossbar and used a small RWO block to run it's length. I then have a snap shackle on the main block that attaches to the RWO block. Basically this is borrowed from a Laser technology and took me all of 5 minutes to set up. Sea trials shall commence when the high winds from Hurricane Joaquin arrive.
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