Fixed point mainsheet - Any experience to share?

I am designing an 18m one-off sloop of the "blue water express cruiser" type.

The current design has an almost side-to-side wide mainsheet traveller rail to allow for easy main trimming.

I am considering replacing this with a single centerline block for the mainsheet, and a powerful hydraulic vang instead. The spars will be carbon, and the spar manufacturer tells me it's really not a very big issue to accomodate the extra loads from the vang.

Getting rid of the traveller means a cleaner cockpit, 2 control lines less and more room for standing height in the aft cabins. A rather attractive proposition.

However I have not had the opportunity to try this configuration myself.

Anyone around here who has any first hand experience to share? Preferrably from yachts in about the same range (LOA 18m, mainsail 102m2).

/jesper

 

No problem that I can see other than no ability to sheet the boom on centre. In moderate breeze, not being able to move the sheeting point to weather (thus bringing the boom up to the centre-line of the boat) will reduce windward ability.