uncleating the traveler in heavy wind

anyone figured out a good alternative to the stock traveler cleat? in heavy wind we are having a tough time popping it out quickly. seems it woudl be better if you could pull down instead of up but i'm not sure if this is possible.

The class rules allow a mounted traveler cleat similar to the Hobie 16, to have it cleat facing down requires a different lead. It can be done, but whipping the line down to uncleat is no faster. Are you using the sheet or the traveler to sheet in and out. Usually the traveler is used to adjust twist, not as a quick dump of the main. You can use it this way, but that is unusual. I guess the advantage is less line running through the blocks, so in theory, it could work, I just haven't seen it used much this way. In addition, sheeting out with the main block and tackle allows twist at the head, quickly dumping pressure from the head of the sail further up the mast (leverage).

yeah we have been depowering with the traveler. its a lot of work. i will try playing with the mainsheet today. i was advocating using the traveler because i thought i heard from someone that when you pop the mainsheet you actually pick up power first because the sail becomes bit fuller, but i may be wrong.

pasdnous try letting the traveler out a little to settle the boat then use the main sheet for control. By traveling out the traveler you can stop the boat from popping a hull up and down and make it more stable and faster with more control. hope this helps

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Tom & Nancy Page H20 803