Recirculating traveler control line

[allene]

My end boom rigged main sheet goes to a traveler on the afterdeck. The 5:1 main sheet goes to a horn cleat or turning block cam cleat depending on our mood (another story). The main trimmer is having trouble with the traveler control line snagging on the traveler control blocks and I ran across an article by Brion (http://www.harken.com/traveler/TravelerTuning.php) talking about using a recirculating control line. That seems like just what I need! Brian talks about not making it too long so you don't trip but is there any rule of thrum on how long is too long or how short is too short? I know we can just try it but as the only time we try anything is when we race I would prefer to have a good starting point. Just to be sure I have the concept correct, one continuous line is tied off on each end of the traveler and threads through all the blocks going through the two cam cleats with a loop not long enough to trip on.

[Brion Toss]

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

[allene]

I set it up today. The only little extra thing I did was put a fairlead mid ship just above where the mainsheet goes to keep the traveler control lines from getting tangled with the mainsheert. It is amazing how much it cleans up the clutter in the cockpit. I can't wait to have it tried out.