Just took the new (to me) Boyer MK III A cat out for it's maiden voyage, and loved it! So silky, so responsive!
Among other things yet to be perfectly clear, the traveller sheet splits at the termination end, runs thru a couple of eyestraps on the rear beam, the 2 tails end in a bowlines, and the whole thing is tensioned with another short piece of line. Not a lot different than terminating just aft of the centered traveller to an eyestrap. What's the advantage of this set up?
thanks!

Dave
Flight Risk
SC20
Boyer A

Pictures?
I know that the split tail is there to help keep the trav more centered than if it were just tied to a center eyestrap (in theory at least). I am not sure what you mean by a line that tensions the line though.

The only function of a split tail is to get the traveler car more on centerline then a straight tail. It is a small advantage. The reason A cats work so well is that they don't overlook these small advantages. Many othere types of cats have adopted this also.
cheers,
Eric

Thanks! I'll try to get a pic tomorrow. I'm pleased to know you guys are out there to help me get dialed in.

dave

Do you think oversheeting the traveler to windward would help on cats as it does on certain monohulls? Or Are our booms more centerline to begin with?

I don't believe it would help. It has to do with the distance between the boom and the bottom block. We are so close on the cats when we sheet hard that there would be no added advantage. The big boats never bring their boom past center. They only travel to windward in an attempt to get the boom more centered on light air days.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

an over-center traveler setting on a monoslug is also technique to depower and increase the stability of the boat. Proper trim at high winds dictates a lot of twist in the main, over centering the traveler allows you to keep the twist needed while setting the sail to deal with the wind. The twist is needed to accommodate for the bobbing and weaving in waves/chop created by the wind. I learned and experienced this while studying up to sail an International Tempest and got to test it in stoopid wind until "Sippy Boy" knocked the compass out of the deck with his butt and the boat started taking on water in every knock down.

We need this twist less because our apparent wind is significantly higher - the bobbing and weaving in the waves has less negative effect on this higher apparent windspeed.

Thanks Eric, that explanation makes sense, it does seem that it's a small improvement, but that is what the A is all about. Enjoying it immensely! Pic attatched.

Dave

Doesn't that allow some slippage letting the traveler fall off some?

Yep; I'd thik so;

Mine is made thus:

Take 8mm I think and remove the core; then thread folded over 3mm thru it, sew and then bingo!

from below and from aft:



From Above



Sorry about the tyre etc, boat is poacked up for Mumbles <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm guessing that the black cord is elastic, so pulling hard pulls the bowlines against the eyelets. An elaborate setup, and I can't figure out what it's trying to achieve.

For the system to be of any use, the join in the rope needs to be in-board of the rollers on the traveller car, as in Simon's set up.

Paul

Huh?

That black line is not elastic, I can't see why it would be. Doesn't make a lot of sense if it were.
It can be difficult getting the proper distance to make it work.. but youa re right, needs to be inboard. I usually run mine up to the rollers... but I am going to change it. Problem is the chafe at the point where the core comes out of the taper. But I like Simon's set up