Traveler and heel

huh?

Andinista: Could you explain what you mean by "gite" ?

oops.. that was the french dictionnary.. excusez-moi

I was talking about HEEL !!

Well, it moves the sail force in a more forward direction and depowers the sail depending on the angle of the wind. So yes, it does decrease the heeling angle. If it's very windy and you find yourself overpowered, easing the traveler will help make the boat more managable too.

I don't understand what you mean.

If I get your point, supposing that the traveler is pulled in excess, if you move it downwind and then you pull the mainsheet, to get the same sail angle as before, the sail will be better trimed for that direction, taking out part of the perpendicular (to the boat directio) component of the force.

Very crudely drawn...this is what I refer too. As the traveler is eased, the driving force from the sails points more forward which results in less heal. The force is directed more towards pulling the boat forward than trying to lean it over. However, this also means that the boat will probably not point quite as well because of the angle of the sail. It also gives an indication why there is so much more pressure on the bows while reaching.

Yes, I think this is true, but I think more important is that when releasing the traveler, you are likely taking the main out of proper trim. This will decrease the overall power generated by the mainsail and therefore decrease the heel.

What is the correct use of the traveler anyway, up to my understanding, its is to improve the trimming of the sail depending on wind direction, moving it downwind as the wind moves further aft. If the traveler is two short, the leech would make a bigger curve and the foot would go up a bit (at least on mine that is boomless), which in my opinion depowers the sail, not the opposite, it also would produce more heel.
(I understand what jake says, but I was thinking of easing the traveler and at the same time pulling the mainsheet, so the sail angle would be the same)

Boyz,

The way I understand it is this; always start with the traveler in the center, then start shifting gears. First apply downhaul to keep the boats attitude correct. If that is not enough, trapeze, if that is not enough, double trap. If at this point you are still having to dump armfuls of the mainsheet to keep control then you should begin to travel out. Travel out a few inches at a time until you can magage the heel by adjusting the main only a few inches and avoid having to repower after every gust. (?)

Basically you mean to ease the traveler to loose wind when you can´t handle it.
When off wind or on the reach, if the traveler is moved forward it helps to do the job of a boom-vang. Isn´t that a good use too?