thinwater
Well-Known Member
I suppose I would slip a piece of oak between the two faces and squeeze down on that to the correct and controlled width....
And even more importantly, to keep the faces parallel!
After 40 years, you're good. If you want to reduce the stress in the future, use nylon rope for the traveler line. It is a safe bet that the forces that did the damamge were not normal sailing loads, but the occasional rough jibe (high force and side load). Rubber end bumpers can also help.
The traveler line is one of the few places nylon works in running rigging. It will not stretch enough under normal loads to be noticeable, but will stretch a few inches in a hard jibe.
You did not state the size of the boat, but judging from the traveler, 30'?
Dynamic Traveler Line
