Happy Sailing everyone ! I'm returning to sailing ensigns after a few decades away. Started out racing with cousins in Maine and now we are getting out on Buzzard's Bay. It's great to be back to sailing, back on the water and back to Ensigns. We are restoring one that has fallen into disrepair and did alot of work over the spring refinishing the stringers, floorboards and benches. Now she's in the water and we are relearning "the ropes" (LOL).
Traveller: I am used to the I beam with stops for the traveller and I see there are newer options now. What are people using? What works well? I'm open to the spectrum of low cost to high cost solutions. If I can avoid drilling a hole in fiberglass I would prefer to but necessity may change that. The boat we have has what looks like a carbon steel traveller however the cars and trim mechanisms are not making sense to me and they may be a modification that was made for an older sailor who would trim into the cockpit rather than trim at the back of the tiller. If you have a photo to share of something that is working well on your boat, we'd be happy to learn more.
I recall main halyards being wire with a type of U shaped shackle and a spring fitting. Is this also the current method? Are most halyards wire to rope or are people doing something else? I watched this halyard hitch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEEYkfINomY and read that the knot is considered quite secure. Anyone have experience with this knot?