Enough slack
Howdy,
Leave enough slack to make typical adjustments without having to pull more slack from the leeward side Add yet more slack if you need to be standing some distance from the traveler to make those adjustments.
On some boats, the traveler is directly ahead of the companionway, creating the possibility that the traveler line can trap (i.e. garrote) a crewmember trapped between the bight and the traveler. I don't recommend the recirculating configuration for these boats.
Use belays, like Harken's high-angle fairlead cams, or PX cleats, that can be readily opened and closed from anywhere in the cockpit. On boats where the traveler is well forward, it makes sense to put the belays, not on the track, but well aft, like on the aft edge of the housetop.
With a bit of practice, you'll find yourself automatically taking up slack on one side and easing it into the other. This is true whether the belays are on opposite sides of the traveler, or if you reroute them so they both come aft on the same side, to adjacent belays.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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