Mine also has the winch on the starboard and a cam cleat on the port. Apparently you don't need winches at all. I got this from an AI search seems reasonable. But I'm a rookie.
Optimizing Sail Shape and Angle The traveler allows the staysail sheet lead to be adjusted athwartships (side-to-side). Moving the traveler car to windward tightens the sheeting angle, allowing the boat to point higher into the wind by pulling the staysail clew closer to the centerline. Conversely, easing the traveler to leeward flattens the sail and opens the slot between the staysail and the mainsail, which is critical for reaching or sailing in heavier seas to reduce heeling.
Enabling Self-Tacking On many Westsail 32 configurations, particularly those with a club-footed staysail (a staysail with its own small boom), this traveler is equipped with stops. These stops limit the travel of the sheet car, allowing the staysail to automatically swing to the correct position on the opposite side when tacking without manual adjustment of the sheets. This creates a self-tacking inner sail, significantly reducing crew workload during short-tacking maneuvers in narrow channels or heavy weather.
Preventing Chafe and Fouling By providing a dedicated, adjustable lead point forward, the traveler ensures the staysail sheet clears the main mast, shrouds, and the headsail sheets. Without this forward traveler, the staysail sheet would likely foul on the rigging or pull the sail out of its intended aerodynamic shape.
