Upgrading to Traveler or Bridle System
Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 1:19 am
Looking for variations on thePoor man's Traveler to better keep the Mac on its feet.
A traveler provides a means to maintain the mainsail optimum angle of attack on the wind. There is also an optional Bridle Setup that is used to gain many of the mainsheet traveler advantages. The Bridle system was used on many boats as a Poor Mans Traveler to be in command of your mainsail. There are many variants to come up with an adjustable bridle designs to benefit a boat. A theory behind manufacturing the bridle is that it allows the mainsail to be sheeted on or close to the centerline of the boat while applying less tension to the mainsail leach. This is said to be in effect what a traveler does in light to medium air as the line or angle formed by the mainsheet, lines up with the twist on the lower section of the mainsail. In Heavy air the traveler drops the mainsheet to leeward while maintaining a constant tension on the leech so as to control the boats angle of heel. A Bridle accomplishes this de-powering to maintain the boats angle of heel in a different manner. The simplicity of the Bridle with non-stretch line at the toe-rail on each side of the boat is of coarse much less expensive than a Traveler. A block tied in the center of the bridle makes the boom locate near the centerline when sheeted in. This system works well with the simplicity of a single line mainsheet control and shines in winds around 10 knots. Having a fine tune to maintain leech tension along with the mainsheet ratchet block provides a 4:1 purchase for gross trimming and a fine tune 8:1 advantage as the Bridle should be setup to trim block to block with the mainsheet when using maximum mainsheet tension. The closeness of the blocks provides a quick reference to duplicate your mainsheet tension.
When the boat begins to be overpowered in 12 knots or more the bridle begins to become a bit awkward as it requires a balance between keeping the boat on its feet by feathering the mainsheet, adjusting the backstay and vang. If the Macs boom and vang setup are stiff enough Vang Sheeting can allow the boom to be bladed right out as a good boom vang compliments the mainsheet with a maximum backstay, outhaul strapped the mainsheet can be played somewhat like a traveler. Modern Star boats use this method. The mainsail will twist more than if you were using a Traveler, but when the Bridle system is used effectively some say it works comparably to the traveler setup.
Making the Bridle adjustable may be the next progression, but the simplicity of a fixed bridle may be its strength.
Advantages of the Fixed Bridle
1. Simple, one control when trimming.
2. Boom is always trimmed to centerline and not above.
3. Tacking is easier, in light air the helmsman can stay on the new leeward side after the tack without having to reach in to adjust traveler.
4. Less purchase means quicker trimming.
5. Trimming off wind can be done holding two forward parts making it a 2:1 purchase.
6. Cockpit is cleaner, plus less sheet in cockpit.
7. Less expensive.
Disadvantages
1. Awkward transition in mode of adjustment as the boat is pushed off her feet. The Bridle system requires playing more controls such as the vang, backstay, mainsheet, and adjustable bridle, as opposed to simply dropping the traveler.
2. A strong boom is advisable for vang sheeting.
3. The bridle drapes over the rear cockpit on downwind legs.
4. The fixed bridle setup might ultimately better suit a heavier, rather than lighter, overall crew weight.
Hoping to find better boat and mainsail control on the wind.......
A traveler provides a means to maintain the mainsail optimum angle of attack on the wind. There is also an optional Bridle Setup that is used to gain many of the mainsheet traveler advantages. The Bridle system was used on many boats as a Poor Mans Traveler to be in command of your mainsail. There are many variants to come up with an adjustable bridle designs to benefit a boat. A theory behind manufacturing the bridle is that it allows the mainsail to be sheeted on or close to the centerline of the boat while applying less tension to the mainsail leach. This is said to be in effect what a traveler does in light to medium air as the line or angle formed by the mainsheet, lines up with the twist on the lower section of the mainsail. In Heavy air the traveler drops the mainsheet to leeward while maintaining a constant tension on the leech so as to control the boats angle of heel. A Bridle accomplishes this de-powering to maintain the boats angle of heel in a different manner. The simplicity of the Bridle with non-stretch line at the toe-rail on each side of the boat is of coarse much less expensive than a Traveler. A block tied in the center of the bridle makes the boom locate near the centerline when sheeted in. This system works well with the simplicity of a single line mainsheet control and shines in winds around 10 knots. Having a fine tune to maintain leech tension along with the mainsheet ratchet block provides a 4:1 purchase for gross trimming and a fine tune 8:1 advantage as the Bridle should be setup to trim block to block with the mainsheet when using maximum mainsheet tension. The closeness of the blocks provides a quick reference to duplicate your mainsheet tension.
When the boat begins to be overpowered in 12 knots or more the bridle begins to become a bit awkward as it requires a balance between keeping the boat on its feet by feathering the mainsheet, adjusting the backstay and vang. If the Macs boom and vang setup are stiff enough Vang Sheeting can allow the boom to be bladed right out as a good boom vang compliments the mainsheet with a maximum backstay, outhaul strapped the mainsheet can be played somewhat like a traveler. Modern Star boats use this method. The mainsail will twist more than if you were using a Traveler, but when the Bridle system is used effectively some say it works comparably to the traveler setup.
Making the Bridle adjustable may be the next progression, but the simplicity of a fixed bridle may be its strength.
Advantages of the Fixed Bridle
1. Simple, one control when trimming.
2. Boom is always trimmed to centerline and not above.
3. Tacking is easier, in light air the helmsman can stay on the new leeward side after the tack without having to reach in to adjust traveler.
4. Less purchase means quicker trimming.
5. Trimming off wind can be done holding two forward parts making it a 2:1 purchase.
6. Cockpit is cleaner, plus less sheet in cockpit.
7. Less expensive.
Disadvantages
1. Awkward transition in mode of adjustment as the boat is pushed off her feet. The Bridle system requires playing more controls such as the vang, backstay, mainsheet, and adjustable bridle, as opposed to simply dropping the traveler.
2. A strong boom is advisable for vang sheeting.
3. The bridle drapes over the rear cockpit on downwind legs.
4. The fixed bridle setup might ultimately better suit a heavier, rather than lighter, overall crew weight.
Hoping to find better boat and mainsail control on the wind.......