Harken Mainsheet Travelers - Questions & Answers

Mainsheet Traveler Q & A

All Harken mainsheet cars except those in the Mini-Maxi, and Maxi families use CB (captive bearing) systems, the ideal solution for the majority of mainsail applications. Ball bearings in CB cars run smoothly and easily under load, and retainer clips keep the balls in place when cars are removed from the track.

GENERAL INFORMATION

KITS

What components are in mainsheet traveler kits?
Traveler kits 2739, 1630, and 3175 contain the car, car controls, and end controls with a 3:1 or 4:1 purchase. The Small Boat 2739 and Midrange 1630 kits feature long high-load cars, while the 3175 kit contains the short 3164 car. Track and track end caps are sold separately.

MAINTENANCE

Why is my car running roughly?
The cars and track probably need cleaning with soap and freshwater. Also inspect the track for damage and corrosion. See the CB Installation Sheet for further information; the included maintenance information near the bottom applies to both CB and non-CB cars. Use spray lubricants like McLube™ only on slider cars and slider track because it will make ball bearings and ball bearing track so slippery that the balls will skid instead of roll.

How do I clean and maintain my cars and track?
Flush them frequently with freshwater. Occasionally squirt a detergent and water solution into the car's center openings and roll the car back and forth to distribute evenly. Flush the detergent out with freshwater. This maintenance is very important, particularly when the cars haven't been in use. Do not use spray-lubricant because ball bearings may skid instead of roll. Frequently inspect shackles and control block fittings for signs of fatigue. Make sure every installation includes Harken track endstops and arrange the control tackle so cars do not hit endstops under load. Be aware that using some teak cleaners and other caustic solutions can result in discoloration that is not covered under the Harken warranty. See the Harken catalog for full maintenance and warranty information.

LOADS AND PURCHASE

How high are the loads on my traveler car?
Use the spec pages under Service in the Traveler section and the Mainsheet System Loading Calculator to determine the mainsheet loads on your boat. The typical control line load you need to pull is about 20% of the car load.

How do I tell whether I have Delrin® or Torlon® ball bearings in my traveler car?
Delrin® ball bearings are white or black and are designed for small boat and other light-load applications. Torlon® bearings are greenish-brown and are used in high-load cars.

What is a good traveler purchase for cruising?
A 6:1 purchase makes it comfortable for most Big Boat cruisers to adjust the traveler under varying wind conditions. For example, with 1000 pounds (454 kg) of vertical load on the traveler, it will take about 35 pounds (16 kg) of force to adjust. It is possible to use a smaller purchase, but a 6:1 makes sure you can adjust the traveler in high winds when it matters most. With only a 3:1 purchase, you would have to use 70 pounds (32 kg) of force in the same situation.

FAIR LEADS, LINES, DODGERS

How do I keep fair traveler leads and still adjust them from anywhere in the cockpit?

Swiveling cam cleats can increase working angles, some to nearly 180 degrees. This is an excellent option that will allow a fair lead to where you happen to be. Harken Extreme Angle Fairleads, which cleat and uncleat at up to 90 degrees, can also help you deal with poor leads.

How do I make my mid-boom cabin-top traveler dodger-friendly?
A Harken Dodger Block Kit will route traveler control lines down under the dodger to a block on the deck that turns the lead 90 degrees aft to a cam, clutch, or winch.

Depending on how your boat is laid out and how elaborate you want to make your system, you may be able to lead traveler lines under the cockpit coaming and have them emerge near the helm station. If you make this installation, be sure to have a swiveling cam in the system so that crew positioned forward of the helm can also adjust the traveler.

Can I use a recirculating control line?
Using a single line for both controls is good for end-boom mainsheet systems and helps keep line clutter to a minimum. Do note that the line deadends on either block, so it is not truly recirculating or continuous. Keep the bight short so no one gets a foot caught inside it. This system also works well in a bridgedeck layout, but not for a mid-boom traveler because the bight has to run across the companionway.

CONVERTING END-BOOM TO MID-BOOM SHEETING

I used to race but am now more interested in cruising; how do I change my mainsheet traveler from an end-boom to mid-boom system?
The boom is like a lever arm and the loads at the end of the boom are much less than loads in the middle. As a result, changing from end-boom to mid-boom sheeting is not simple. If your boom was originally rigged for end-boom sheeting and you change it to mid-boom, the load doubles. Your existing boom setup might not be strong enough.

To determine if your equipment can handle mid-boom sheeting, first contact the boom manufacturer about the strength of the boom. Some booms can be permanently deformed after the sheeting system is moved forward. There are methods of preventing this, such as using multiple attachment points on the boom to spread the load. Second, make sure your mainsheet system can handle the loads. If you have a Midrange traveler that's on the upper end of its working load, you'll probably need to upgrade to a Big Boat traveler system. Third, if you’re sheeting by hand, determine if you need different blocks for a greater mechanical advantage.

WINDWARD SHEET CARS SIMPLIFY TACKING

How does a Harken windward sheeting car make it easier to tack?
In light to moderate air, most boats sail upwind better with the traveler above the centerline. This reduces mainsheet tension and stops the leech from closing when the boom is trimmed to the centerline. With a conventional traveler car, you must manually release the leeward control line to bring the car above the centerline. Before tacking, the leeward control will require re-cleating before it becomes the new windward control.

The cams on a Harken windward sheeting car automatically cleat and release during the tack, letting crew stay on the high side and minimizing movement. You never have to touch the leeward control line because when you tack, the car stays where you left it and a special mechanism uses the mainsheet load to release the leeward cleat. The only thing you need to do is draw the car above the centerline. You’ll never want to sail without one again.

Can I turn my Harken mainsheet traveler car into a windward sheeting car?
Yes. Windward sheeting adapter kits are available to turn standard Harken cars into windward sheeting cars.

Can I use the Midrange stand-up toggle in my Midrange windward sheeting car?
No. The Midrange toggle will not allow the windward sheeting apparatus to slide athwartships far enough to fully open and close the cams.

How do you use windward sheeting cars in heavy wind?
In heavy air you usually want the car below the centerline. As with any other mainsheet traveler, you just ease the control line to the position you want. On the opposite tack, a windward sheeting car automatically mirrors the position you set without you ever having to touch the control lines.

What kinds of boats use windward sheeting travelers?
Harken has windward sheeting travelers for everything from small sport boats to 45 footers (13.7 m). You can convert most existing Harken travelers with a retrofit kit.