[MHml] Mainsheet or traveller

[Paul Nudd]

sailfast at themultihullsource.com wrote:
> I have a question/comment here. I've been racing Farrier/Corsair 
> boats for a number of years now, but do not claim to have nearly as 
> much experience as many on this list.  In my experience when 
> encountering the need to dump the main either when overpowered in a 
> gust or due to the rudder ventilating (it has happened to me on many 
> occasions, mostly when tight reaching with the screacher), we ease 
> the traveler to leeward. I've been told that easing the main actually 
> powers the boat up momentarily as the sail bellies out before enough 
> sheet is out to luff it.  Now I don't know if Afterburner or the 
> other racing cats have travelers or not, but I'm sure Cheekee Monkee 
> does due to its F-31 origins. So I wonder why they were not playing 
> the traveler rather than the mainsheet?  Easier to dump and reset 
> IMHO.  Any comments?
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The traveller is an excellent control for maintaining optimum angle of 
attack of the mainsail. As Bill explained the traveller may be 
overtrimmed and then easing a little will increase power. On some 
systems easing the traveller or even dumping it without symultaneously 
easing mainsheet can have no effect whatsoever (this is the case on 
XL2). Also as Bill has described, easing mainsheet immediately allows 
the top of the main (at the far end of the lever arm) to twist off, 
drastically reducing the heeling (capsizing) moment.
Then there is the situation when the traveller reaches its limit.
Rob Denney was sailing 'Simply the Best' (Jutson Formula 40) and in the 
situation where one rudder was in the air and the other not working 
(stalled? ventilated? who cares?). Traveller right down and unable to 
release the mainsheet, simply capsized. Nothing could be done about it.
After recovery the hydraulic mainsheet was replaced with a rope tackle 
led to winch and hand held in such conditions.
On XL2 we try to behave exactly as Bill describes. We (I) are often lazy 
and put the mainsheet into a cam cleat (never a self tailer) but the 
tail is never out of my hand. We often use the self tailer for the 
headsail sheet although we should use the camcleat instead and in hull 
flying conditions we hand hold (uncleated) both sheets.
Our halyards remain on their winches in self tailers. Only the spin 
halyard is clutched. Thus main halyard is easily dumped.
We only indulge in intentional hull flying on enclosed/flat water and 
try to avoid it offshore.
We are particularly remiss regarding wearing harness/pfd and should wear 
in all conditions. Modern combination harness/inflatable pfd is not 
cumbersome or even uncomfortable. There is no excuse.
Perhaps a better motto would be:
'Sail Fast, Sail Safe'.

Paul Nudd
XL2
38' Lock Crowther D#72 'SuperShockwave' open deck catamaran.
http://www.tbns.net/xl2/