The Traveler

Instructional Sailing Video. Discuss this video and anything sailing on my forum anything-sailing.com
Small video describing what is the traveler on a sailboat, what it does and how it works.

[@stefangaillot1561]

Thank you Alexander! Good balance of easy learning and more in depth (physics) explanations. Much appreciated!

[@pmajeranowski]

You have a great demeanor for teaching that comes across well on video. Thank you for taking the time to make a video and help improve our sailing!

[@ToSeeTheSea]

You nailed it. You said nothing that wasn't true, kept it simple and hinted about some of the finer points or exceptions to the rule that can be used in some situations. A great instructional video. Well done.

[@sirrealism]

This is the first time I've heard such a good explanation about why sail twist is important. The difference in angle of incidence versus wind speed makes sense to me now. Great job!

[@pgreenx]

I dont really understand most of this but the video is a great mix of oral and written narrative, graphics and actual video footage..

[@georgetsachouridis9679]

Very clear and useful. I will try to watch also the other videos George

[@MrNurseinTExas]

The graphical presentation is great. Thank you for speaking slowly and clearly. I think I will need to watch this a couple more times, haha!

[@briangilliland3620]

Me too 😊

[@modslot]

Good videos! Simple graphics combined with on water video very good! People that dislike are close minded so open your minds and let the knowledge fill the void. Thank you.

[@SoonToBeFluff]

i love all the teaching videos from ppconsultant...i have been sailing tiny boats for some time but i have never had the basic concepts so usefully explained. As i have just bought another (but new) sailboat (for the first time --usually i have gotten second, third, fourth hand boats mostly practically or even free) --this time i really want to sail it with understanding...so many thanks...

[@YachtSalesWestCanada]

Awesome video. Very well produced. I highly recommend this video to any sailors looking to achieve the best potential of their cruising yachts.

[@dwaynesmythe4934]

You are a good teacher, and I look forward to use of what you teach.

[@larsboc1]

Your series of sailing teaching videos are very well done. Precise illustrations and well paced voice. Thanks!

[@spacecowboy123dallas]

Thanks for taking the time to make a informative video.

[@petergriffin3231]

Your series of videos are very well done. Good use of illustrations and well paced voice.

[@macom5140]

Excellent explanation!!! Congrats!

[@cornchiphero]

Look what you’re doing to my cat! Look what you’re doing to my LIFE!! 🤣😂🤣 had me in tears.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Excellent tutorial!! Subscribed...

[@lyntonhowes5154]

Legend, great series, thank you sir 👍

[@brianepperson7942]

great overall training video to get urself up to speed. thanks.

[@saveriogrossi5973]

U've made a very interesting series of instructional video! Very well done!! Unfortunately your blog those not exists anymore...Buon Vento!!

[@mr.morgan5643]

Great video thanks so much!

[@Whicheverworks]

Really lie your videos ! Very useful ! Thanks a lot :)

[@TopUKPhotographer]

great until the last minute where it wasn't shown how the traveller beinh high or low affects heeling.

[@cellobob2358]

At 5:28 it says that as the wind speed increases, the apparent wind moves forward. Not quite right, it moves aft. As boat speed increases then the apparent wind moves forward. I think....

[@edwardkiernan]

I understood everything, except the last part saying the "arm" is shorter when the traveller is moved to lee side, thus reducing heeling. I understand the line from the traveler to the boom is shorter, but how does that reduce heeling? Also, can't you depower the sail (and thus reduce heeling) by moving the traveler to windward, while letting out the main sheet to keep the same angle of attack? I was told this is a "fisherman's reef" that works by allowing twist in the head of the sail.

[@gaborforis7757]

Heeling is a rotational movement around the longitudinal axis (axis of roll). If the you consider that the arm is made up of the leech and the traveler together: the longer the arm - the bigger the torque (assuming constant wind strength).

[@clidiere]

​@@gaborforis7757 Your explanation assumes the boat and its sail are two different systems. But they are a whole - it's the entire boat that heels. If we consider the position and shape of the mailsail fixed regardless of the position of the traveler, then the position of the traveler only affects internal forces, and has no impact on heeling. I am confused too by the statement in the video. I don't understand what "short arm" or "long arm" is. In strong winds, the position of the traveler may affect the reaction of the main (and boom) to puffs. If the traveler is moved to weather, puffs will cause the boom to rise, causing the main to spill air at the top.

[@wschreiner12]

Helpful for new sailors. However, he neglects to include traveler trim instructions when the jib backwinds the main. Great boat, too.

[@C0N72]

I have a race tomorrow where we are expecting high winds. I'm going to mess with the traveler to see what happens

[@gaborforis7757]

Awesome stuff!

[@johnx9318]

Hi, I really appreciate the videos - great information thanks. However, un this one you mention 'not letting the boom pass beyond the centreline of the boat' I don't understand that bit. Centreline is fore-and-aft isn't it?

[@TheJizzelwizzel]

The center line that is referring to is parallel to the Keel not perpendicular. Imagine a straight line running from the bow to the stern not from Port to starboard. Bringing your boom beyond that Centerline ( Windward of the bow to stern center line in other words) I believe is what he's referring to.

[@richardgroleauvoile]

On voit comment le chariot de gv affecte le twist. On voit comment le chariot peut faire lofer ou abattre. donc aider à rétablir l'équilibre. On voit comment le chariot peut aider à réduire la gîte. Enfin comment juger s'il est correct et comment le placer aux diverses allures.

[@DaveWhiteInYoFace]

Well done!

[@estelr.8616]

Do you know any book in spanish to understand better all the videos you make? I want to learn all the content you are explaining but it's difficult to me because there are too many sailing words in english that I do not understand, and I'm still learning them. Thank you for your videos!!! :D

[@ppconsultant]

try these: www.fragata-librosnauticos.com/libro/ajuste-y-reglaje-de-las-velas/ www.fragata-librosnauticos.com/tema/vela-y-regatas/

[@estelr.8616]

ppconsultant thank you very much!!! 😄😄😄

[@MarkWagnerz]

At around 5:30 you say that when the wind increases the apparent wind moves forward. Isn't the opposite true: the apparent wind moves aft?

[@Jim-ei2iv]

Mark is correct. If the wind velocity increases but the wind direction does not change, the apparent wind moves aft. This is called a velocity lift. Sails should be eased to take advantage of the new apparent wind direction. The boat will accelerate, causing the apparent wind to move back forward and you again retrim the sails accordingly. In a dinghy race, when this happens you ease, hike and then trim.

[@samuelpeeters9428]

@Edward Kiernan I believe the "fischermans reef" is only allowed in light winds. Really depowering you do with the traveller to lee.

[@boerenkoolmetworst]

I don't understand that, I haven't sailed extensively with a traveller, but doesn't a traveller to lee means a higher tension on your mainsheet to get it back in shape when you're sailing close hauled? Thereby lowering twist and increasing heel because the top of your sail is closed. Now if you set the traveller to windward, you can loosen the mainsheet a lot, increasing twist, opening upper leech and decrease heel.

[@samuelpeeters9428]

boerenkoolmetworst You are right. I guess I have hard to translate the 'luff' and 'lee' to 'loefwaarts' and 'lijwaarts' :-( You have explained it correctly :-)

[@johncampeau3987]

delos brought me here !

[@ppconsultant]

I have, but I don't have the time... Its easier to talk than to write (eheheh) Want to write it for me?

[@sscrewcaptain]

Gui is this you?

[@nimbly1693]

Have you ever considered writing a book?

[@hosoiarchives4858]

3:57

[@jacmaclar]

Good video but confused by the use of "arm that is pulling the boat." Did you mean the sheet that is attached to the boom and traveller?