Rick White's "CAT RACING: FOR THE 90S" is for sale in the Store here (link above)

This book covers all these topics.

Price $29.95

(PS this is Rick's website) <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

To summarize the difference for the barber hauler and the front beam travler (tracks):
The barber hauler is an OUThaul used for getting a rounder shape in your jib for down wind sailing. It does this by pulling the jib tack (where the sheets attach) out and forward to the beam.

The travler (track) that comes on a (very) few boats does not shape the sail (generally), it simply moves the jib in (closer to the mainsail) for upwind and out for downwind.

Hold your right hand fingers tips in place (with your other hand) and cup your hand and look at the shape.. it is rounder because the middle has moved out and the back of your hand (under your thumb) has moved in. Now keep your finger tips in place and simply slide the back of your hand to the right. It doesnt change the shape of your hand, just the angle.... this is the same as the travler on a beam... doesnt really change the shape, just the angle.



The fromt beam track is for boats with jibs designed (shorter foot) to be set (secured) at the beam... most cats have a jib cut that requires it to be further back on the boat to have the correct/desired shapes.