Ordering Travelers & Genoa Lead Cars

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Ordering Travelers & Genoa Lead Cars

1. Determine system size

Determine size of traveler system (13, 22, 27, 32, 42, or 64 mm) based on mainsail area, placement on the boom, and mono- or multihull. See charts. Typical boat lengths are listed as a guideline only.

Typical Boat Lengths:
22 mm Small Boat: 6.7 - 8.5 m (20' - 28')
27 mm Midrange: 7.9 - 10.7 m (26' - 35')
32 mm Big Boat: 10.4 - 12.8 m (34' - 46')

2. Select Track

Select size and length of track (sizes listed by width measurement of top of track in millimeters). Choose low-beam track if it will be supported the entire length. Choose high-beam track for spanning companionways, cockpits, etc.

3. Select Car & Purchase Requirements

Based on system size and purchase requirements, select a car and accessories that match track and load requirements. Select control blocks for the car.

A kit contains car-mounted components to make a 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1 system. 27 and 32 mm systems only.

Cars come standard with shackles for attaching the mainsheet to the car. Upgrade to a stand-up toggle with control tangs to attach high-performance ball bearing control blocks.

4. Choose End Controls

Choose end controls that mate with the control blocks on the traveler car for the correct purchase system, including a deadend, allowing clean-running lines. Use Carbo ball bearing end controls with toggle-mounted, ball bearing control blocks, or use ESP sleeve bearing end controls with ESP car-mounted, sleeve-bearing control blocks.

Options include end controls with attached cams, or purchase cams separately and mount remotely. See Traveler Systems for common systems.

5. Choose Endstops

Endstops are designed to absorb shock loads and should be installed when end controls are not used. Trim caps finish off track ends cleanly. Select high- or low-beam endstops/trim caps to match track. Low-beam, line-shedding endstops prevent snags. Sold in pairs.

6. More Information

Previous steps show the most common configurations. Other options include windward sheeting cars, soft attachments, coupled cars, track risers, and track splice links.

If you have questions, contact a professional rigger or Harken Technical Service:
Technical Service email
262-691-3320 phone 7:30-4:30 CST

Mainsail Traveler System Size Selection

Dinghies/Light Daysailers
	Monohulls				Multihulls
	Maximum mainsail area				Maximum mainsail area
	End-boom sheeting		Mid-boom sheeting		End-boom sheeting		Mid-boom sheeting
Cars	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²
13 mm Micro CB	110	10.2	85	8	85	8	70	6.5
22 mm Small Boat CB: low-load	125	11.6	100	9.3	100	9.3	80	7.5
22 mm Small Boat CB: standard	160	14.9	135	12.5	135	12.5	110	10.2
22 mm Small Boat CB: high-load 1250 Series	200	18.6	160	14.9	160	14.9	135	12.5
27 mm Midrange CB: standard	350	32.5	285	26.5	275	25.5	215	20

Small Offshore Boats/Heavy Daysailers
	Monohulls				Multihulls
	Maximum mainsail area				Maximum mainsail area
	End-boom sheeting		Mid-boom sheeting		End-boom sheeting		Mid-boom sheeting
Cars	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²
22 mm Small Boat CB: standard	150	14	125	11.5	135	12.5	110	10.2
22 mm Small Boat CB: high-load 1250 Series	190	17.5	150	14	160	14.9	125	11.5
27 mm Midrange CB: standard	260	24	215	20	215	20	160	14.9
27 mm Midrange CB: high-load	300	28	240	22	240	22	190	17.5

Large Offshore Boats
	Monohulls				Multihulls
	Maximum mainsail area				Maximum mainsail area
	End-boom sheeting		Mid-boom sheeting		End-boom sheeting		Mid-boom sheeting
Cars	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²
32 mm Big Boat CB: standard	425	39.5	350	32.5	350	32.5	300	28
32 mm Big Boat CB: high-load	550	51	450	42	450	42	350	32.5
32 mm Big Boat CB: 2 stand-up toggles; 32 mm CRX Roller:3074	575	53.4	500	46.5	500	46.5	425	39.5
32 mm Big Boat CB: 2 T3201Bs joined by 580	700	65	525	49	525	49	450	42
32 mm Big Boat CB: 2 high-load cars coupled	1100	102	900	83.6	900	83.6	750	69.7
42 mm Mini-Maxi:3068, 32 mm Big Boat CRX Roller:3075	1100	102	900	83.6	900	83.6	750	69.7
64 mm Maxi	1400	130	1100	102	1100	102	900	83.6

Genoa Lead System Size Selection

The chart below sizes lead cars for the #1, #2, and #3 genoas based on typical loads for these sails. See Block Loading vs Angle of Deflection and Genoa System Loading to size for different deflection angles and wind speeds. See Genoa Lead Car Systems for common configurations.

Maximum sail area
					32 mm Big Boat
	22 mm Small Boat		27 mm Midrange		Standard		High-load		42 mm Mini-Maxi
Adjustable Genoa Lead Cars	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²	ft²	m²
#1 & #2 Genoa*	450	41	750	70	1500	139	2700	251	4400	409
#3 Genoa**	175	16	330	31	435	40	650	60	1300	121

*Assumes 155% Genoa/25 knots apparent wind/45° sheet lead angle
**Assumes 100% Genoa/40 knots apparent wind/60° sheet lead angle

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Ordering Travelers & Genoa Lead Cars

1. Determine system size

2. Select Track

3. Select Car & Purchase Requirements

4. Choose End Controls

5. Choose Endstops

6. More Information

Mainsail Traveler System Size Selection

Genoa Lead System Size Selection

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