Refurbishing traveller

[morgandlm]

I want to refurbish the traveller on my late 1980's Sadler 26 which has an IYE traveller running on a 23 mm track behind the companionway.
I have learned that it is an IYE Light K traveller and is no longer produced. An uprated alternative is available for eye-watering sums but all I need are the replacement wheels (4-off) and 2 off replacement sheaves for the 2:1 cleat system. I think you can buy a set of 6 replacement wheels and am waiting for confirmation that they will fit my old version.
Has anybody found a suitable solution that does not involve buying a complete new traveller and double cleat/sheave system?
Grateful for any pointers

David Morgan

 

[DinghyMan]

We make the roller wheels, the sheaves, and offer a full refurbishment service for IYE, Barton, and Lewmar travellers

There are several different sizes of roller wheels on the IYE travellers - what size are your wheel remains?

There are also two different ways of holding them on, the ends of the pins can be swaged over or they can be held on with an E-Clip - we refurbish both types

Getting the central bolt out of the sheave can be a real pain as they are loctited in - apply heat to the bolt head and the traveller body but be careful not to heat the sheaves as they stink when they burn

Info and examples at: https://www.ff-systems.co.uk/westerly_rudder_bushes.html#IYE_Traveller_Refurb_Service

 

[morgandlm]

We make the roller wheels, the sheaves, and offer a full refurbishment service for IYE, Barton, and Lewmar travellers

There are several different sizes of roller wheels on the IYE travellers - what size are your wheel remains?

There are also two different ways of holding them on, the ends of the pins can be swaged over or they can be held on with an E-Clip - we refurbish both types

Getting the central bolt out of the sheave can be a real pain as they are loctited in - apply heat to the bolt head and the traveller body but be careful not to heat the sheaves as they stink when they burn

Info and examples at: https://www.ff-systems.co.uk/westerly_rudder_bushes.html#IYE_Traveller_Refurb_Service

Thanks for the information.. PM sent

 

[rotrax]

I repaired one for a club member. I used 'off the shelf' plastic ball bearings locktited into the OE s/s wheels. The origonals were UV'ed to dust. I wondered about the loads, but they are holding up OK.

 

[DinghyMan]

I repaired one for a club member. I used 'off the shelf' plastic ball bearings locktited into the OE s/s wheels. The origonals were UV'ed to dust. I wondered about the loads, but they are holding up OK.

The way they are designed the wheels are held captive by the load once they are on the track and its not unusual to see ones that dont have the washers and E-Clips

I have had ones sent for refurb that have wheels that have worn down a lot and one where the shafts were separate from the car

I looked at some off-the-shelf all plastic roller bearings as an option for the wheels but given how many normal ones we have sold I dont think they are really needed, I have just done some IYE Track End Sheaves and they have 18 plastic ball bearings on each side of the sheave and were a fun thing to make

 

[William_H]

Regarding the sheave for the traveller control ropes. I abandoned them on my traveller car and attached a short strop of wire from traveller car to a block (rahte rthan the block (sheave) on the car. I use 3 to one pulley sytem on each side even that can be inadequte with a load on the main sheet. The strop means you can't pull the car right to windward side but inpractice I only ever pull the car up a little to wind ward beyond centre. So the strop eliminates a lot of rope floating around. The car of course can be allowed to run away to leeward to the end of the track.
On my little boat 21ft I have over the years replaced both the car and the track, worn out. It gets a punishing. ol'will

 

[dansaskip]

You might also try Chas Newen - you can buy the wheels from them. They are also very helpful on the phone as I discovered when looking to refurb my IYE travellor
proboat