mainsheet traveller

[sparkie]

Hello all, been trying for about 12 months now to find another mainsheet traveller for my Hunter Liberty, the one I have is labelled FICO - Australia, and looks like this:

If anyone can assist with a possible source I would be very grateful.

Cheers

Sparkie

 

[orizaba]

looks like a simple thing to get fabricated,just a roller and some folded stainless,i'd take the old one to a fabricator shop and see what they say.

 

[sparkie]

Yes that's a possibility, but knowing the prices charged for one-off items in the UK (unless you have a helpful mate in the trade), I'd prefer to buy one off the shelf if poss.

Thanks for the response.

Sparkie

 

[Salty John]

I had some Fico blocks once but could never locate the manufacturer in Australia. There was a US company, Nicro Fico which may have had some connection. Nicro Fico made traveller systems; you may want to try this company, that supplies NF products and specialises in replacing old boat equipment: www.RigRite.com

 

[orizaba]

hi sparkie i understand what you are saying but the only awkward bit is the roller which looks similar to a bow roller ,easy enough to find and the side plate look like 30 or 40 x3mm flat with 2 bends,standard bolts probabally a simple tube bush in the roller and 2 plates to stop the roller chafing on the side cheeks,

 

[sparkie]

Yes certainly worth sending them a pic and see if they can help. I'll see what else emerges from the replies...................

Thanks John


Sparkie

 

[sparkie]

Yes as a last resort I'll have a go meself, but metal working skills are not my best feature...................., and finding raw materials these days is a nightmare.

Cheers Oriziba

Sparkie

 

[William_H]

Fico I believe were swallowed up by Ronstan in Australia. Fico gear was generally regarded as good.

What is wrong with your traveller. I imagine the only likely source of failure is the sheave (plastic wheel). These die fairly frequently with wear and UV damage. It should be possible to find a replacement sheave from local supplies. Just remove it and measure the critical dimensions.

If however you find problems with the system. ( I have never seen one like yours so they are not popular.) (probably fitted to a budget) then it should be replaced with a more conventional aluminium track with traveller car. The track if it is wide and unsupported may need to be attached to a wooden alumini8um or even SS cross member.

The upward pressure on the middle of the track can be quite a lot. Mine is attached to the bridge deck near the main entrance and it was lifting the f/g deck where the track was screwed down. I fixed this by attaching stay wires underneath down to the furniture inside so now there is no flexing . Obviously a traveller closer to the stern has less pressure on it cos it is pulling closer to the end of the boom.

good luck olewill

 

[sparkie]

Thanks for that OleWill, thought maybe Fico had disappeared. There is nothing actually wrong with the one I have on the main, I need to replicate it for the mizzen, which at the moment relies on a s/s ring running on the bare taffrail, which ain't too good. Some owners have substituted a conventional traveller as you suggest, but I'm minded to try a simpler approach first.

Cheers
Sparkie

 

[BrokerBen]

Why would you go to a marine fabricator?

Just go to any metalworking place, specify 316 stainless and give them some decent annated drawings or the existing one as a template.

I have a 40 year old Van De Stadt and needed replacement genao travellers, got a new one made for about £40...

Beat the quotes for buying a used one off the shelf in certain barge shaped chandlers, and really beat the price of a new one!