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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

WIND VANE

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HARRY
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/20/2005 : 15:28:31

My mast head wind vane is missing. What would you recomend for a replacement? What kind of hardware do I need? I would like to have everything I need before I climb up there.
Harry

BlueSky

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2005 : 20:23:40

Harry,

All of the parts catalogs - West Marine, Boat US, Catalina Direct, etc, sell the Davis Wind Vane which comes complete with mounting hardware.

You might consider this an opportunity to drop your mast and check out the condition of your masthead sheaves, pins, etc, rather than go aloft. You never know what accident is waiting to happen up there.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 07:51:51

Harry, Other than the wind vane how did you make out this year with the C250. I remember answering your previous post about reefing etc.
IMHO I would drop the mast into the rear crutch and see what is there. On my C250 I made a stainless steel standoff and bolted the weather vane to that [Davis}. Without looking I believe I used the bolt that holds the upper backstay for the stainless steel standoff attachment.

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 11:01:27

I would reiterate what others say about not going up there. Unless you are verying young and agile it will be hard to acomplish anything up there while you are trying to hold on. And if you drop the set screw up there you can kiss it good bye. I climbed my mast once a couple of years ago to run a new topping lift. But I won't do it again without a rope ladder and harness and somebody 'on belay'.

Edited by - Ben - FL on 11/22/2005 11:02:46

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 13:25:24

My "new" '01 250 doesn't have a wind vane top o' the mast. Any reason why I can't mount one on the bow pulpit? If so, I'll take the advice and drop the mast. Also, the boat doesn't have a VHF ariel up there either. That, I understand, can be mounted on one of the aft catbird seats.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 17:24:33

While your mast is down, run your VHF antenna cable through the PVC pipe in your mast. It will not slap around in the mast or chafe on your halyards that way. You should be able to run your headstay up from the bottom o the pvc pipe, attach the cable to it, and pull it through. Two birds with one stone. Like you, these were the first two things I did on my brand new C25 tall rig sixteen years ago. You've brought back memories.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 18:40:16

If you do not want to drop the mast you can get a wind vane that attaches to your shrouds. Check these out at West Marine, and don't forget if you order them to do it through the link on this website.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001& langId=-1& catalogId=10001& classNum=1& subdeptNum=& storeNum=& productId=34935

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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 18:57:36

I second Joe's suggestion. My Davis wind-tels have lasted three seasons so far. (I'd have been satisfied with replacing them each year if need be.) One big advantage of these things is being able to see them while looking forward instead of almost straight up.

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 19:32:45

Thank y'all for your very excellent suggestions. BTW, who was the brain dead dude at Catalina who placed the battery in that tiny aft compartment? Only way to check the water levels is to take it out on the bunk. Why can't I put the battery in the starboard lazerette together with the LPG tank? Or the port lazerette? Gonna get an electric start ob so placement of the battery in either lazerette would be very, very convenient. Thanks in advance.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 22:00:43

Try using a mirror and a flash light to check the water level in your battery, easier than removing it.

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 22:21:01

Okay, but if the cells need topping off I only have two hands, one for the flashlight, one for the dental mirror. What do you suggest?

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 23:51:03

Go to Harbor Freight and get a battery bottle for $5 - $10. Then fill it with distilled water put the spout in the battery cell and push down. When it stops gurgling pull it out and move to the next cell. One hand, no mess, the result is the proper amount of water in each cell and you can use it for any installed wet cell battery.

Edited by - frog0911 on 11/22/2005 23:54:57

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:42:19

Will do, thanks for the clue!
Hey, what a coincidence: my wife's name is Penny, my just purchased '01 250 was never named, so she's now named PRETTY PENNY!
Who or what was your PRETTY PENNY I, and why PRETTY PENNY?

Edited by - on

HARRY
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2005 : 19:59:40

Thanks for the advice. What is the best way to tune the rigging if I lower the mast? I have not done that. The manual mentions a Loos & Co. model B tension gauge. Should I get one?

The season was great but not over. I am in Columbia SC. We sail year round. We still have one more day of racing Dec 3.
I am still not comfortable with wind over 12 mph. and setting the whisker pole when I am sailing solo is like watching a slapstick comedy but I love it.

Hope you season was good and you are all doing well.
Harry

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2005 : 20:53:09

Frank, Penny one was a 79 C25 sk/wk std and a great boat. Did not do a lot of crising with her, but she was quick even though she lost some pointing ability after the wing conversion. The name came from the General who exclaimed as we wrote the check, "that's a Pretty Penny for a boat." Ergo the name stuck.

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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.