Cisco,
I'm considering installing a traveller in the same location as yours.
Currently my main sheet block is fitted to the reinforced sub frame on top of the spray dodger
The main sheet line runs back under the boom and back across the cabin roof to a winch under the dodger.
The system works fine but I lose sail shape when I have to ease the sheet, dropping a traveller would give greater control and maintain sail shape
I note that my four winchs are in a similar location to yours
some questions on your setup:
1. How do you get back to a winch to adjust the main sheet block, or is there enough purchase to adjust by hand?
2. can you use a winch to adjust the traveller car?
3. Running down wind do the sheet lines rub on the edge of the dodger?
4. How often do you kick it going in and out of the cabin?
I think the bridge deck is a very sensible place for the mainsheet traveller.
1. It does not need to go to a winch as it has enough purchase. I think it is 4:1. It is a double ended system and has cam cleats to lock it.
2. Using a winch on the traveller car is not really possible but it has 2:1 purchase. You could go to 4:1 if needed.
3. Haven't had a problem with sheet rubbing on dodger down wind but unfortunately I have to say I have not had much downwind sailing with her yet. As in none.
4. It has not been a problem going in and out of the cabin because the Lotus is such a well thought out and built yacht. The traveller sits in a moulded recess so only the lines are a bit proud of the bridge deck surface.
It really depends on the dimensions and configuration of the individual yacht but having the traveller on the bridge deck is quite a handy position for adjusting etc and also leaves the cockpit unobstructed.
Maybe you could do a sort of dummy run on it using a bit of spare line to see what sort of interference you would get with the dodger etc.
I hope that helps. Cheers Cisco.
Thanks Cisco,
I agree the bridge deck is a excellent spot for the traveller, having it in a moulded recess is good idea.
I had a closer look at my set up and I'll have to come into the cockpit by 400mm so the sheet lines clear the dodger and the cabin sides when running down wind.
Coming into the cockpit by 400mm won't affect the use of the cockpit while sailing but will be pain at anchor.
I'm thinking about designing the traveller to be removable, using the Ronstan I Beam 32 with a SS turnbuckle fitting on both sides secured to a HD deck pad eye bolted through the face of the cockpit seats to a steel angle that would run back in under the cockpit deck.
To remove the track I would loosen the turnbuckle and undo a shackle connection to the deck pad eye.
Only the deck pad eye would remain in place on the face of the seats 100mm off the cockpit floor.
Should work I just need to check with Ronstan the maximum span for the track fixings
