Robin
Well-Known Member
We used to it like that on The Sun Legende 41, also big main and coachroof traveller, but powerful gas kicker and mainsheet led to coachroof clutch and winch as also traveller lines.
Position A was sitting up on the very comfy coaming (we had a padded backrest on the wires too) from where it was possible (ideal) to hand steer with the large diameter wheel. From here in really gusty conditions or if too lazy to reef for a short leg you could sit on the windward side and hand hold the traveller line with a turn around the (coachroof) winch with the clutch off and play it if needed. The block system and roller cars meant that the traveller could be played without the winch which was used in this case as just a snubber. The main would be left sheeted in and kicker on because the full width traveller mounted ahead of the hood allowed a very wide angle of movement if needed to depower the fully battened sail.
Most of the time the autopilot would be in control but this arrangement allowed adjustment from ahead of the wheel or when steering by hand from either windward or leeward side, but not so easily from directly behind the wheel. In practice with the right amount of sail set and a 41ft beautifully balanced boat there were very few times when I took the taveller control in hand, maybe if SWMBO went for a pee or to make another pot of filter coffee in boisterous conditions.
Position A was sitting up on the very comfy coaming (we had a padded backrest on the wires too) from where it was possible (ideal) to hand steer with the large diameter wheel. From here in really gusty conditions or if too lazy to reef for a short leg you could sit on the windward side and hand hold the traveller line with a turn around the (coachroof) winch with the clutch off and play it if needed. The block system and roller cars meant that the traveller could be played without the winch which was used in this case as just a snubber. The main would be left sheeted in and kicker on because the full width traveller mounted ahead of the hood allowed a very wide angle of movement if needed to depower the fully battened sail.
Most of the time the autopilot would be in control but this arrangement allowed adjustment from ahead of the wheel or when steering by hand from either windward or leeward side, but not so easily from directly behind the wheel. In practice with the right amount of sail set and a 41ft beautifully balanced boat there were very few times when I took the taveller control in hand, maybe if SWMBO went for a pee or to make another pot of filter coffee in boisterous conditions.
