tom: jerry moved, eventually, to installing the traveling about midway between the transom and companionway. my M17 is #375 and the traveler is at the middle of the cockpit ... so jerry likely was installing them according to customer request. makes sense as your and my boats are some of the first made with the 'new' deck mold. i like the traveler mid-way as all the hardware is near the tiller, so easry to reach and adjust when single handing. this location also keeps the companionway open. yes a 'full width' traveler will provide more control, but is overkill. i find there is enough range to adjust the main's twist and 'up wind sheet' as necessary. you also create a huge step-over and tip hazard mounting the track across the cockpit seats. you also put your crew and self in more danger from being hit, pinned to the cockpit combing, knocked overboard and/or injured by the mainsheet car if one finds themselves downwind of the track and the car is released in a gust of wind or when changing tacks.
sometimes difficult to adjust when sailing.
reads like the bearings are full of junk (ie, sand) or the bearings have come out of the races. you may be able to re-use the track and just replace the car. just need to confirm the t-track used ... jerry, do you remember what type you were using in the early 80s? i believe the track and car on my M17 are Schaefer.
Or maybe I should just replace the traveller in the same location as the original?
if you like the location keep it there. you will find re-installing in the current location is more easily done then standing on you head in the cockpit lockers to reach under the cockpit floor. currently using with success on Sage 17 - track - Harken '2720.600MM' Trk-SB CB 600MM Low Profile track stops - Harken '173A' End Stop-SB car - Harken '2728' Car-SB CB Trav w/fixed Shvs (the Harken order/part number is between the ' and ') :: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com :: Sage Marine - www.sagemarine.com --- On Tue, 3/27/12, Tom Frei <tom.frei@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all:
I'm starting to replace and rebed some of my hardware on my 1981 M17 (blue hull #380). My main sheet traveller is probably the original and is placed right in front of the hatchway on the floor. It really needs to be replaced because it is sometimes difficult to adjust when sailing. Has anyone replaced this travellor with a much longer one that could be placed on the seats and thus span above the floor of the deck? This would provide more adjustment, but would also block part of the hatchway into the cabin. Or maybe I should just replace the traveller in the same location as the original?
Any advice on this type of upgrade/replacement? Thanks for your help.
-Tom