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Catalina 25 A-frame

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ted
Deckhand

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Canada
21 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/24/2019 : 14:40:24

Are there plans for an A-frame for demasting a Catalina 25?

Ted Ison

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2019 : 16:35:01

Here's a link from our "tech tips." Scroll down. http://catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/bearsad1.asp

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

keats
Navigator

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USA
215 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2019 : 17:36:54

I used Ted K's tips and sketch from the link Steve posted above to lower and raise my mast last Spring. I found everything there to be accurate and helpful. I used 1/2" EMT.

The only thing I did differently was to attach the forestay to the A-frame as opposed to the jib halyard. I felt it was safer and the mast wouldn't lurch when the forestay was unpinned and the halyard stretched. As it was, we had to push on the mast a bit to get it started down.

I used the jib halyard to temporarily hold the mast forward while I disconnected and re-connected the forestay.

I also had some helpers to stay the mast from side to side just in case as well as someone assigned to tend the shrouds and everything on the way back up.

I transplanted my mainsheet blocks up front with a longer line so I had a 4:1 purchase as well as going back to a winch on the cabin top like Ted suggested. The cam cleat on the lower block grabbed a few times on the way back up so next time I'll have to remember to rig it so that's out of the way.

One word of caution, I have a tall rig and the mast landed in the support cradle just about at it's balance point. I had someone in the cockpit holding it down while I pulled the tabernacle bolt but he didn't weigh much. When I pulled the bolt he found himself on the short end of the see-saw and his feet left the deck a little bit. So beware of the mast base when you pull that bolt, it can come up at you.

Take your time, loosen your upper shrouds a bit and you will be fine. Up and down was a cinch.

Tim Keating
1985 C-25 TR/FK #4940
Midsummer
Lake Don Pedro, CA

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2019 : 18:10:34

Tim, you're right about the mast being at the balancing point when you drop the mast onto a stern based catcher. The other thing to realize is that the mast top is a long way off. I had a friend grab the base and walk it forward to the bow where I had a short 2x4 to rest it on. I also placed a piece of 2x4 on the cabintop to prevent scratching anything. The mast top ended up very close to the stern so keep an eye on your windvane.
While you can use EMT pipe for the A-Frame, I prefer using wood. A pair of 2x4s or 2x3s will do it. It's good to have at least 9 ft, so watch out if your only option is 8ft lengths.
Wood is softer than steel when resting on the fiberglass and less likely to mar the surface.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 01/24/2019 18:14:02

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2019 : 09:01:12

Several folks on this site use wood for their A-frames on a regular basis with no problems. My concern has always been the fact that wood can have hidden defects reducing strength. Lowering the mast can put significant stress on whatever material is used.

Metal on the other hand should be uniform in strength from one end to the other. Just make sure you use EMT pipe. If you're worried about marring the surface you can always slide foam pipe insulation or noodles over the pipe.

Just my .02 worth of advise. :)

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2019 : 13:06:30

This topic has come up many times over the years. I'll just mention a few things and link to a few threads that I participated in;

First 3/4" EMT conduit is what I used, strong enough, easy to fabricate and I never noticed any marks on the boat. Rigid conduit can also be used, however, much more difficult to work with.

You will need a hack saw, vise, drill and a file.

here are a few threads discussing the a-frame:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=28597

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=30282

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=29859

Video of the parts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsLxujYRsMQ

Video of the procedure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r33VCObNroY

Wood will work, and there are many other ways to do the same job. I just found that the conduit was easy to work with.

Davy J

2005 Gemini 105Mc
PO 1987 C25 #5509 SR/SK
Tampa Bay

Digger
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2019 : 22:23:43

I ran across these two videos a couple of years ago and copied his design. It has worked well for me. Construction did not cost much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r33VCObNroY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsLxujYRsMQ

Steve Digby
1983 Catalina 25
Standard Rig
Fin Keel

trbagpiper
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2019 : 06:37:12

I just built one using the design from the videos Digger has above. I added double blocks in the line to make it even easier.

Jim Ventimiglia
Toms River Yacht Club
'78 Cat 25 #945 SK/SR "Pipe Dream"

trbagpiper
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2019 : 06:39:12

I need to cut my picture size down.

Sailynn
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2019 : 11:24:24

Twice I was there when someone else's wood 2x4 A frame shattered. I don't know if wood had a defect or if the momentary extreme pressure was too much pressure for wood. I don't know if it was scarier seeing shards of wood fly and sound like bullets or the mast dropping like a rock.
One thing that most instruction don't tell you is to make sure the upper shrouds are pretty loose when dropping or raising the mast It takes the stress off the lower t-bots on the toggle so they do not bend the lower t-bolt.

Lynn Buchanan
1988 C25 SR/WK #5777
Sailynn
Nevada City, CA

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2019 : 18:43:18

You don't even need an A-frame.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30694&SearchTerms=dropping

Seth
"Outlier" 1987 Catalina 25 SR/SK/Traditional Interior #5541
"Zoo" 1977 Morgan Out Island 30
"Nomad" 1980 Prindle 16
"Lost" 1988 Catalina Capri 14.2 (sold - yay!)
"Marine Tex 1" Unknown Origin POS 8' Fiberglass Dinghy
https://whichsailboat.com/2014/07/27/catalina-25-review/

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2019 : 21:02:04

Wow, so do you get everything set up then go stand in the cockpit and winch up the jib sheets while you�re hauling in the mainsheet? And the topping lift (or maybe your halyards) pull up the mast? Then the forward lower shrouds stop the mast in the vertical position?
Good old American ingenuity!!