Hey guys, great spi discussion. Unfortunately my current cat (H17) doesn't have one but I am looking forward to an F16 with spi in the future. Only spi experience I currently have is limited and on a dinghy. So, I've got a question about managing the spi on cats. I understand normal operating procedure is to keep the main and traveller fairly sheeted while continuously steering the boat and trimming the spi unless it's necessary to ease the traveller (in gusts or significantly increased average windspeed). My question is that on my H17, once the main is sheeted to any degree it's not possible to ease the traveller (or the outhaul for that matter) without first easing the mainsheet. It's a real pain and not a great idea if a spi were flying. I'm not sure if it's something specific to my boat, all H17's, or all cats. I have seen it happen on H16's as well. I've tried McLube to no avail and the traveller bearings seem ok when unloaded. It could have something to due with the fact that the rear beam on the H17 is curved (convex upward) so when the traveller moves out it's like sheeting the main even further. Is this behavior something F16 and other cat sailors experience or is just me and my H17? I couldn't imagine trying to dynamically change traveller trim on this boat while singlehanding a spi!

Thanks for the input,

Jerry