Jib traveler systems

What are you guys using for jib traveler systems? I have an '86 model & I'm thinking of trying the black plastic cars that slide in the jib track that are sold at Murray's. It looks like I'd be able to sheet in tighter. Do they work?

You know, maybe I was doing something wrong (i.e. routing my jib sheets improperly) but I found the plastic cars to be easily "bound up". Both in the sheets moving through them and also travelling in and out. I have/had my swivel cleats inboard of the jib track. Also have/had one-way lance cleats (at corner castings) and bungee, center return for traveller control. Most annoying was they didnt seem to slide in the track very easily and took gobs of lubrication. Mind you I first saw this set up in Colorado and bought them for my boat in '81 or '82, maybe the mold is different now. Getting another 1 1/2" lower wasn't worth the hassle of operation (but this was before the days of EXTREME mast rake).

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

What do we use? All stock Hobie cars with the block above a standup spring. We're moving to extended chain plate and shorter shrouds (MAX rake) this year.

So what is the hot setup for older boats? Does any one use a different block/spring on the stock car? What about doing something different at the clew attachment to reduce some height?

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

I used the black Trentec jib cars as described. They came with a mid-80's boat. I had no problems with them. I never raced my H16, but the previous owners did.

I liked them because I had less issues with things snagging on them and when crew climbing out to the fore deck to sunbathe they didn't get caught on them like the stock H16 jib cars. I had my lance cleats on the front corner castings and it seemed to work really well.

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Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

The black Trentec type cars are still the best with the 1986 style jib traveler tracks. If they bind in the track, the track is probably damaged. Remember that these cars still have no roller bearings so you still have to loosen the jib sheet a lot in high winds to get them to move.

However, I did have one Trentec car that still bound up because the groove in the car was too narrow for the curve of the track on the front cross bar. I used a jewelers file to open up the groove in the car to match my other Trentec cars and all was well.

If your sheets hang up in a Trentec plastic car it is probably because you are using an oversized jib sheet. Go back to the standard diameter, or one size smaller if you live in an area where light winds predominate.

Gaterro

Thanks for your input. I think I'm going to try the Trentec cars - they're not too expensive. I already have the traveler system in place.