Can Double Mainsheet act as a traveller?

[Ian McColgin]

Moving the sheet to a bridge deck traveler means mid-boom sheeting with three major disadvantages. The leverage is a real disadvantage and the sheet loads are higher. The boom may or may not be designed to withstand the bending stresses. Even if the boom does not break, the leach will go a bit soft which can be designed for, but then y ou're really looking at a different main as well as likely a different boom.

Two tricks help with double ended main sheets. While there's a slight tendency for the boom to creep to center, if you final trim from the leeward side, it'll mostly pull the sail down more than in. And maybe you should have a boom vang or rail mounted boom guys. The latter work well on this boat as the weather guy can be left attached but slack. But it is one more thing to which one must attend when tacking.

G'luck

Ian