Traveler sticking

When I sheet my main in tight, the traveler car sticks, so I used silicone spray on it today and, while it was better, it still sticks (though not nearly as bad as it did.) I'm pretty new to sailing my H16, so I wonder if I'm doing something wrong, or is this normal.

The traveller will never move if there's any tension on the main. Even without tension, I find you need the wind to help move it away from you with the main locked but loose.

How old is your boat? Do you have one or two block hangers on the boom? If you use only one block hanger try the forward one. When I use the rear hanger my traveler is rocked back at an angle that pinches the rollers and won't let the traveler easily slide. If you are using both hangers with the stock block you have another problem.

It's a 1988 model. I have (2) hangers on my boom and I use the one nearest the mast (why would anyone want to use the rearmost one?). I suppose I thought that the traveler would slid even when the main sheet is pulled tight. Obviously the vertical load on the traveler causes it to stick a bit.

The preferred action is for it to stick when under any load. A loose traveler is a PITA on a catamaran due to the sheeting angle. You sheet straight in-line with the track. With the car traveled at all (reaching), a loose traveler will pull towards you every time you sheet. Counter productive for best performance. You need the traveler to stay out in position and sheet at that angle.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Duh, yeah, now I feel dumb for even posing the question! This new hobbie of mine is draining my bank account (which only the wife minds), but when brain cells stop engaging, I gotta do something about it. Better go sailing tomorrow. I need a fix.


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