My Traveler Blew Up!

My 21 year-old main traveler finally bit the dust. The lower roller unit almost completely disintegrated. The hinge, hinge wire, and everything above are in good shape. I have a couple of questions:

1. I'm assuming that I can just replace the lower roller unit by popping out the hinge wire. Is this correct? And....what is the easiest way to get the wire out?

2. Before I re-attach the roller unit, do I need to put it in the traveler track, then insert the wire? Or, do I have to assemble the traveler first, then remove track rivets to get the traveler in the track?

3. Finally....is the brass roller unit better than the old plastic roller unit and is it worth the extra couple of bucks? Will the newer brass roller unit work on a 1985?

Thanks for all the help!

Alan

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2005 Hobie 16 - Ventura Nationals Boat #21
http://www.JackieandAlan.com

Alan,

New main travelers will explode as a result of the accidental jibe. I found out the hard way. Put a knot in your main sheet so the car will stop before it reachs the end of the track.

You'll need to take the track up on one side to intall the new car.

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

If you will notice, on one end of the track are 2 rivets close together. You should remove both of these, place a screwdriver under the track and apply a little pressure to lift, than remove the old car. You can get the pin out of the assembly by bending one of the tabs on the end with a screwdriver and than drive the pin out with a #20 Nail. Reassemble making sure that you close the end tab and reinstall. Make sure you use flat head rivets. If you don't want to remove the rivets, it is possible to lift the end of the track by wedging a screw driver under the track. This will permantely loosen the end of the track but if you use a knot in your traveler line, it will not matter. Hope this helps. Dave-Sailboats of Bakersfield

Oops! Forgot your last question. The new style traveler car with the brass bearings will not fit the older tracks. You need to order the older style. Dave

Thanks for the help. I had a knot in my main sheet to keep it from hitting the end of the track. In this case, it initially started binding up, so I put some silicone on it, but then it finally fell apart completely.

Dave, is the "tab" you are describing the end of the hinge where it is bent/curled around the pin?

thanks...

AE

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2005 Hobie 16 - Ventura Nationals Boat #21
http://www.JackieandAlan.com