Practical Sailor's gear and boat reviews take the guesswork out of your buying decisions.

Volume 31
Number 11
June 2005

Midsize Mainsheet Traveler Test

Considerable evolution has taken place since our last traveler test. Now, Antal stands out for ergonomic design, functionality, and attention to detail, but Lewmar is our choice due to its pricing.

The travelers included in PS's test, from top to bottom, Schaefer, Lewmar, Harken, Antal, and Ronstan.

A dozen years ago, in the July 1993 issue, PS reported on mainsheet traveler systems. Though we've kept up with developments in this realm during the interim, we haven't offered a comprehensive evaluation of these important sailhandling systems since then. The time has come.

Properly installed and functioning mainsheet travelers are versatile devices, offering sailors a number of key advantages over simple mainsheet rigs traditionally used aboard sailing craft. These newer systems permit you to sheet to windward in light air to enhance your vessel’s pointing ability; they allow you to depower the sail in puffy conditions without touching the mainsheet; and they enable the mainsheet to be substituted for a…

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