Hmm, i'll jump in and throw my two cents in, with my 1976 R22.

When i'm racing in gusty 15+ knots... i am typically sitting on the side
rails above the seat, with one hand on the tiller extension and my other
fully gloved hand is holding the mainsheet uncleated, and i use that hand
to either let slip the mainsheet in a strong gust, or i give and take a
little with my hand holding the mainsheet from flying loose.  I have a
harken 3:1 windward sheeting traveler rail mounted on the back stays.  I
try to get the mainsheet as flat as possible.  I would never use my
traveler to try controlling the main for gusting, holding the uncleated
mainsheet just feels natural, a little give, a little take, lets me feel
like i'm riding with the wind, and it allows instant response.  Though on
long races my arms feel it.

BTW, my traveler setup in the picture.  I mounted the harken traveler rail
on a 1" OD Fiberglass tube with stainless 316 mounts on each end that the
backstays run through.  Mounts are attached to the backstay with a small
stainless tube slightly larger than the backstay diameter to reduce the
friction wear on the backstays.  I love the setup, but sometimes wish I had
a fixed traveler rail that wasn't floating.

[image: image.png]

--
Curtis



image.png

On Thu, Mar 25, 2021 at 8:38 PM Shawn Boles <shawn.sustain at gmail.com> wrote:

> Oh boy, a match race! Much more enjoyable than the obscene, but
> fascinating, America's Cup races I just watched.
>
> Cheers,
> Shawn s/v Sweet Baboo (1986/2010)
>
> On Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 1:49 PM Rick Lange <sloopblueheron at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Roger,
> >
> > I learned to sail and race by taking a college physical education class
> > over 50 years ago.  I've raced dinghies through keel boats, including the
> > R22, and as skipper, have a few blue flags to show for it.
> >
> > I accept your challenge to match race R22's with the IMF and diamond
> board.
> >
> > I challenge you to produce the videos you said are so common
> demonstrating
> > using the traveller on small sloops to dump wind during gusts
> > that overpower while close hauled.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Rick Lange
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Mar 25, 2021 at 2:44 PM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Rick,
> > >
> > > We were having a discussion of mainsail trim and traveler use in heavy
> > air
> > > wherein the rig needs to be depowered in gusts and then quickly brought
> > > back on line after the gust has passed.  Mainsail shape for <= 10 knots
> > is
> > > considered light air and is a different subject.  As you noted, the
> > optimum
> > > light air mainsail shape is achieved with a different traveler car
> > position
> > > and mainsheet tension vs heavy air.  In light air, it is also much less
> > > likely the rig will need to be depowered as per the original
> discussion.
> > >
> > > It is beyond the scope of my job description to give tutorials on sail
> > > trim in all possible conditions. I suggest you take a class or go
> racing.
> > >
> > > Stan,
> > >
> > > I give up!  I’ve tried to explain the merits of your GBI 29 Traveler to
> > > the best of my ability.  But, it’s not working.  If you want to jump
> into
> > > this discussion, go ahead.  But, I’m done.
> > >
> > > Roger Pihlaja
> > > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>