I have a 5 foot long traveler in the cockpit just forward of the well, with the main sheet in front of the companionway.   That makes the cockpit a lot less comfortable for lounging, but it works well for sailing.   The location was dictated by storing a hard dinghy under the boom.  If I had a choice, I would like to get it out of the cockpit.

The previous owner did something clever.  As you move the main sheet closer to the mast, you need more and more force to hold the boom.  If all that force goes through a single bail, then the localized stress at the attachment point are large (especially in a gybe.)

 I have a 6:1 mainsheet, but instead of putting all that force through one bail, there are three bails and three single blocks on the boom that spread the force out. I believe that reduces the chance of breaking the boom in case of a violent gybe. 

Jim, I would kill for a dodger like yours. Well, not really but almost :)

Didn't you post info & pics during your build somewhere?

James, since we’ve had both I can say we definitely prefer on the cabin top.  I’m sure others will disagree with me but I think the cabin top is a little more efficient, but only slightly.  Obviously the first thing is that we don’t have the extra line to deal with or hang up as with end boom sheeting.  We also found that with end boom sheeting we needed to have preventers rigged most of the time.  With it on the cabin top we only need preventers when the boom starts to run past the traveler.  But to be honest we usually have the preventers rigged.  We use them as an additional handhold and they’re ready to go.

The biggest criticism I hear about cabin top mounting is the leverage placed on the booms center attachment.  This can be a problem if you use a single attachment to the boom which is why we have three bails and blocks.  Also there are at least two different size booms that we know of and we fortunately have the larger.  Of the three Westsail booms I know that have been bent they all were end boom sheeted. 

While we believe this to be the best option, it’s only our opinion.  Keep in mind that Saraband has end boom sheeting.  We all know fast and well she is sailed.

Jim

Mike, I’ve had a couple of write ups on how to build the dodgers as it’s been asked for before.  I’ll see if I can find one.  I hope there not on a dead computer.  Here’s photos of the build.

https://picasaweb.google.com/111834525627890796788/Dodger#

I guess I do not have to chime in on this discussion, since it has been well discussed.. 

If you go with the traveler over the cabintop, you do need the three bails.  I have the kit available to do all of this.

Hey Guys,  Any thoughts on moving/taming the main sheet on a 42?  I tell ya its a bear cat on an all standing jibe, tall rig/sheets sweeping the cockpit.  I have a look over dodger, anyone ever put a track over dodger?  I also have a aftermarket stout boom gallows in the normal location, how about welding a track off the front of this? Also Bud I need a set of bronze screens for the stock small opening ports on the cabin sides, can we still get them?  Thanks for your time. Cal