Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Hi, I have a 1998 Cat 250 Wing keel. I've been feeling cramped with the backstay rigging coming down and then splitting into two attachment points on the stern. As it in right now, the cables come down right by the wheel, not giving too much room to move in and out of the captain's chair. I was thinking about raising the "Y" point to give a little extra room, but I recently saw where a cat 250 had the backstays attached to the Stern Rail Seats, where the life line attaches. Anyone have any opinion on this?
I don't think it's a good idea. The stanchions weren't meant to take the huge tension of a backstay. Go down into the aft lazerette and look at the backing plates for those stanchions - they're just washers. And the layup probably isn't as thick there as needed to support backstay tension. With the stresses of a good blow and some heavy chop and you might find your rig pulling out of the fiberglass.
Some C250s came out of the factory with a single backstay, and that may be viable for improving wheel access, but only if done properly with the chainplate moved to the right place. I'd suggest you call Catalina for guidance on how to do this right.
Rick S., Swarthmore, PA PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor) New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.