CD36 Mainsheet traveller

[nateinmaine]

I have been an appreciative but silent observer to this very knowledgeable board over the past couple of months. I am getting close to buying a CD36 and am wondering 1) if most owners of this particular boat have replaced the original nicro-fico traveller with one with line controls (garhaurrer, harken, etc)... And 2) if you haven't replaced it or if you recall sailing prior, how did you actually use the original nicro-fico? I don't really understand how you could tack and bring the car to the windward side (or leeward for the that matter) against any type of force... What kind of planning is involved prior to tacking? Or do you simply leave it in the middle and not use it as a traveller?
My appreciation to the members of this board for answering so many of the questions that I've had so far (through previous posts..)
Nate

[jerryaxler]

I replaced the traveler within a few years of purchasing the boat, because adjusting the twist was impossible after the tack was done . I tried moving the pegs prior to the tack, but that was either impossible if windward or a pure guess is leeward. I ended up leaving the traveler amidships often.

[Jim_B]

I leave mine centered on the original traveler. Replacing it is on the list but I decide a vang is more important at this point. Ordered a ridgid vang from Garhaurer at the Miami Boat Show.

[Maine_Buzzard]

Replaced it with a Harken 3:1 on Garhauer risers. Best improvement ever, it only took one season to want to sledgehammer the useless Fico car. I can depower in strong wind and easily tack in light wind without slacking the main and hauling the car to where I want it.

If I was thinking ahead on a strong wind, I would leave the stops where I wanted, and let the little Matchbox car slam across... and then take the main back in.

Self tailing winches next... A vang and a spinnaker pole would turn it into a real sailboat... Grin.

[nateinmaine]

Many thanks to you all. So if I have this right, if I were close hauled - it sounds possible to tack and then take the pressure of the main by slackening the sheet, then move the car to windward, then tighten the sheet to get twist - possible, but a pain in the neck for a few more degrees of pointing? Thanks MaineBuzzard - I've looked at the Garhauer risers - will check out the Harken 3:1.

[bottomscraper]

CD36 Mainsheet Travellers have been discussed several times. Here is a link to one of the better threads but there are several old threads. Spend some time looking at the past threads. Garhauer makes some nice well built reasonably priced products. The web site is a bit difficult to navigate but they are good people to deal with. You may want to call and ask for a paper catalog.

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=27536

Garhauer Web Site Traveler Page:

https://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=34

[Ron M.]

Without a doubt, one of the most effective improvements I've made was getting a new traveler system from Guido,(Garhauer).
It's a joy to use compared to the Nico.