I have a 1980 382 with the traveler in the cockpit just forward of the pedestal. Has anyone with this configuration moved their traveler to the deck over the cabin or have knowledge of? If so, what were the results? What are the considerations that should be weighed when considering relocating the traveler? Pros and cons? Thanks.
Fred - The original boom section was designed for end-boom sheeting. Moving the traveler to the cabintop will significantly increase the loads on the boom. My boat was converted to mid-boom sheeting by the dealer when the boat was new - they simply moved the traveler using the original boom. Before I left to go cruising, I had a rigger evaluate my rig. He ran the numbers in his engineering program, and I ended up replacing the boom. It's MUCH larger than the original. Unfortunately, I'm COVID stuck in Chicago and my boat is in Portugal, so I cannot give you any specs right now.
My rigger had lots of used spars lying around. If memory serves, the boom we used to replace mine originally came off of a 50' boat (I cannot remember the make). They simply cut 4-6' off of the end of the boom. It's a little oversized compared to the what the calculations called for, but not grossly so.
As for cons... not many (assuming you address the boom size). Though, when I'm daysailing, I'd prefer to have the mainsheet close to hand. My compromise is to take a turn around the mainsheet winch (on top of the cabintop, near the companionway) and lead it to either of my spare jib winches. It works well enough.
The other downside is preventer placement. An ideal preventer leads from the end of the boom, forward to a turning block near the bow (I use a low-friction ring) and back to a winch. That provides a good angle for the preventer and allows a soft jibe. When the mainsheet is attached to the end of the boom, the mainsheet and preventer forces are directly opposed. When the mainsheet is attached mid-boom and the preventer to the end, you've now created a lever between the two. And, if you're not careful, you could easily break the boom when winching on either. You can read about about this exact scenario
here - though the mainsheet and preventer placement were reversed in this story, it's the same concept.