[quote=davefarmer]This was the fifth season for us aboard the ARC22, and the second one focussing on using the traveller to control the power of the main. All said above about depowering the mainsail with the downhaul is valid, but this boat responds to the traveller much faster.
We currently have three to one purchase on the traveller car, which is not quite enough for a main this big(38.5' mast!), so we're switching off between skipper and crew regularly. But we absolutely love running the boat this way, it allows precise control of the power, making it easy to keep the windward hull just clear of the water. Not only is it quick to respond to the puffs, but it's much faster to sheet back in. And usually we are just sheeting in and out an arms length, so it is feasible for the helm to run it. This boat also has a lever arm forward of the rear beam that the tiller extension attaches to(like the RC27), which allows the skipper to drive sitting fwd of the crew, who is right at the rear beam running the traveller, a very direct pull.
I'm currently setting up an SC20 with a similar layout, but with four to one purchase. The issue with the multiple purchase arrangements is handling all the line, not only on deck, but the line needs to be retracted on the leeward side as the car is eased, so the line needs to run very freely thru all the blocks. Both boats use a continuous line, that runs fwd to blks at the main beam just inside the hulls. These blks are on a very long bungie that runs between them under the tramp(to the rear beam and back fwd), which takes up the slack, but allows the crew to take the line with him out on the trap. The traveller purchase leaves the rear beam near centerline, so it's a clear shot to the crew whether he is fore or aft of the skipper. I'll report back next season on whether or not this system works as intended.
Both of these systems allow windward sheeting, which has proven really useful in light air, giving a few more degrees of height to windward, as well as popping the hull free when there's just barely enough pressure to fly a hull.
Dave[/quote]
