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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

boom height?

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southern cross
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USA
123 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/07/2006 : 12:39:50

I frequently notice on many pictures of other c-25's that some of you (especially those with a bimini) have amuch higher boom height than I do. What is involved in this, how do you raise the boom height. I am 6'2" (one of the reasons I wanted a pop-top) and I would love having some added head clearance in the cock-pit. My boom is only a few inches (maybe 6" off of the pop-top when it is in the up position).
If I raise the boom height, do I have to buy another main sail? If not, how do I continue to use the existing main sail while having a different height to the top of the mast?
One of the things I would love to have is a bimini. I know I will lose some sail area but I am not racing her.

Any input would be appreciated. This may be a dumb question but I need to know how to do it. And after all, I have never been accused of being the brightest bulb ib the bunch.

Puravida,
Zach

southern cross 1982 C-25
TR FK #2867

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 12:55:54

Hi Zach,

Are you sure you have a standard rig? The mast on a standard rig is 28', and the mast on a tall rig is 30' with the boom 1' lower than that of a SR.

It sounds like you might have a tall rig ...

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 12:57:23

Your sig says you are a standard rig, if that is the case then raise your main to the top with your boom down haul loose, once the headboard is at the top of the mast then harden the boom down haul. That is as high as you should have your boom. The visual disconnect you are seeing is because standard rig booms are a foot higher than tall rig booms, if you see a tall rig with a bimini it will always look like the boom is all over it, then if you look at a standard rig with a bimini it will seem much higher in comparison, (unless someone has a tall bimini then it will be crowded too). I do not recommend goofy sails and such as a solution. We have great boats, sail them as they were intended and you wil get the most out of it.

Edited by - on

southern cross
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 13:17:01

Buzz & Frank-
Maybe I need to check the specs on my boat but I am sure I was told she ws a standard rig from the PO. From what you guys are describing it sounds like it may be a tall rig (but I swear it's not, maybe I am wrong). Anyways, from what I am reading from you guys is that if I have a standard rig then I would have the higher boom height versus a tall rig being 1' lower and if I do have a tall rig, instead of trying to raise the boom just keep it the way it is? Currently I do have a nice tight main sail when hanked to the top of the mast. I don't know if you guys woul dbe a ble to tell by seeing a pic of the current boom height, but here are a couple of shots to see if maybe a much better trained eye can tell.
Thanks guys,
Zach

Edited by - on

southern cross
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 13:22:52

Frank-
I have seen the pictures of your boats and I definately do not think that the boom height on my boat is as high as yours (or at least your 82, I couldn't tell by the pics of the 89)
One of your pics shows a woman lying out underneath the boom while under sail. I do not think this would be possible on my 82. Maybe I do have a tall rig?
If so are you telling me to just live with the height of the boom and try to keep my big head out of the way? Is there no way of raising the boom height without changing main sails?

Sorry for the lack of knowledge here, but you guys help me more than you know.

Puravida, Zach

Edited by - southern cross on 03/07/2006 13:23:55

southern cross
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 13:38:16

One more thing. I do not know the hull # to my boat. Do you guys know how I could get this info and if it would be able to tell me what rig I have. The only info I have from the PO is (and the hull number may be in this info) is the id stickers on the boat CTYK2867M82C. I think this may be the registration # for north carolina wildlife resouce commission, where we have to register our boats. Would the "hull #" be anywhere else on the boat (kind of like a VIN # on an automaobile)

Thanks,
Zach

Edited by - on

dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 13:54:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by southern cross
 The only info I have from the PO is (and the hull number may be in this info) is the id stickers on the boat CTYK2867M82C...Would the "hull #" be anywhere else on the boat (kind of like a VIN # on an automaobile)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Zach,

CTYK2867M82C is your HIN (Hull Identification Number) and your hull/sail number is 2867.

Your HIN breaks down like this...

CTY = Catalina Yachts

K = Model (C25)

2867 = Serial Number (Sail Number)

M82C = Date Built, October 1982

Edited by - dlucier on 03/07/2006 13:57:13

southern cross
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 14:04:54

Don-
does that mean that my HULL # is 2867?
And if so can I find out from Catalina if the boat is a tall or standard rig with this info?

Zach

Edited by - southern cross on 03/07/2006 14:06:14

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 14:11:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by southern cross
 Does that mean that my HULL # is 2867?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by southern cross
 And if so can I find out from Catalina if the boat is a tall or standard rig with this info?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, but give them the entire HIN.

Edited by - on

HudsonM1
1st Mate

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USA
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 15:17:00

Zach,
On an ever-so-slightly related topic, do you know the dimensions of your boom tent? I hope to be making one in a few weeks.
Thanks,
Hudson

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 15:38:41

Zach, there's an easy way to raise the boom on your boat without making any major alterations to the sails or rigging. Have your sailmaker put a flattening reef in your mainsail. A flattening reef shouldn't be expensive. It's simply a grommet, just like the one at the clew of the sail, but it's about one foot above the clew. You can use either the outhaul or the reefing system (whichever works better on your boat) to pull the outboard end of the boom up to the flattening reef grommet. It'll raise the boom about a foot, leaving extra clearance for people or for a bimini. If the wind is light or you want to race, and you want as much sail area as possible, you can just shake out the flattening reef, and you'll have your full-sized mainsail.

Edited by - on

southern cross
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 16:01:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by HudsonM1
 Zach,
On an ever-so-slightly related topic, do you know the dimensions of your boom tent? I hope to be making one in a few weeks.
Thanks,
Hudson
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hudson-
The tarp is 6'x8' (black on one side, silver on the other, I put the silver side down because it reflects more light down intot he cabin).
Some other boats at my marina use larger covers to cover the windows and all but all I wanted to do was cover the hatch and pop-top. My windows do not leak so I did not need to cover these and that makes it more comfortable to rest under. i bought the tarp at Northern Tool & Equipment for like $4, they are much cheaper than a Home Depot or Lowes.

Puravida,
Zach

Edited by - on

southern cross
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 16:02:40

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Milby
 Zach, there's an easy way to raise the boom on your boat without making any major alterations to the sails or rigging.

Steve, I see what you are saying and that actually makes sense to me. Thanks.

Puravida,
Zach

Edited by - on

southern cross
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Response Posted - 03/07/2006 : 20:38:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 Zach, there's an easy way to raise the boom on your boat without making any major alterations to the sails or rigging. Have your sailmaker put a flattening reef in your mainsail. A flattening reef shouldn't be expensive. It's simply a grommet, just like the one at the clew of the sail, but it's about one foot above the clew. You can use either the outhaul or the reefing system (whichever works better on your boat) to pull the outboard end of the boom up to the flattening reef grommet. It'll raise the boom about a foot, leaving extra clearance for people or for a bimini. If the wind is light or you want to race, and you want as much sail area as possible, you can just shake out the flattening reef, and you'll have your full-sized mainsail.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Steve-
the way you are describing this sounds like I would only raising the end of the boom over the cockpit and it would remain at the same point on the mast that it is currently. In other words the boom would angle downwads from the cockpit towards the mast.
Is this correct? If so, what would I do with the left over mainsail when it is pulled up to the flattening reef grommet, (just flake it and wrap it with rope or let it hang, I know there wouldn't be much excess but it may be weird having it flopping around when tacking and jibing)

Thanks for the input Steve

Puravida
Zach

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 07:01:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the way you are describing this sounds like I would only raising the end of the boom over the cockpit and it would remain at the same point on the mast that it is currently. In other words the boom would angle downwads from the cockpit towards the mast.
Is this correct?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Yes. When you pull in the 1 foot flattening reef, the extra fabric will double over itself, so you'll only have 6" of loose cloth, which isn't enough to bother with. It doesn't cant the boom or leave so much loose fabric as to be noticed by most casual observers. It does reduce the power of the mainsail slightly, but the mainsail isn't the principle driving sail on the C25, and, unless you're racing, it won't be significant. If you have a tall rig, you'll still be flying more sail area than a standard rig boat.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 11:25:52

Zach,

Another way to check if you have a tall rig is by the height of the mast. As others have said, the tall rig has a 30' mast and the std rig has a 28' mast. What you can do is tie a line to the halyard shackle (a line long enough to bring the shackle back down). Then measure the length of the halyard line, first noting a starting point holding the halyard next to the bottom of the mastand then seeing what length of the halyard it takes to hoist the shackle to the top of the mast. if it is close to 30', then you have a tall rig.

However, the one thing that I am curious about is the comments about adjusting the boom height after raising the sail. My boom height is fixed because the boom is mounted to the mast. It cannot be adjusted. But I find the height okay for me and I am approximately 5' 10".

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 12:14:23

Larry, it's possible that your boom height can't be adjusted, especially if it has been re-rigged, but on all the C25s I've seen, when they come from the factory, they are adjustable. Look in your mast slot, above and below your gooseneck. People who prefer to have their boom height fixed can make it that way by inserting two sail stop slugs in the mast slot, one above and one below the gooseneck. The two slugs will prevent the boom from moving either up or down. If you remove both slugs, the boom should be fully adjustable.

If you make your boom fixed, then you can adjust your mainsail luff tension by using either the main halyard or by using a cunningham. If your boom height is adjustable, then you can adjust the mainsail luff tension by using the main halyard, or a cunningham, or by using a downhaul.

From the standpoint of boat performance, I don't know that it makes much of a difference which way you do it. I think it's more a matter of personal preference, although, if you set it up so that it's fixed, then I don't think there's any way that you can install a bimini on a tall rig boat so that it's really functional. Because the tall rig's boom is one foot lower, you have to raise it in order to get enough clearance to install a bimini of reasonable height.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 18:53:38

I've seen a few other C-25s with fixed goosenecks, although mine rides in the sail track. A rigger could probably set up a fixed higher attachment point (which probably has a better name), and then you could have your main shortened. If you raised the whole boom a foot, you'd still have a 2' taller sail than a standard rig has. Even then, your boom could still catch you in the noggin, and the bimini wouldn't have standing headroom for your height.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/08/2006 18:56:11

OLarryR
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Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 18:57:32

Steve,

My boom has a plate fixed to the mast with rivets. The height of the boom is fine for me but was not sure if that was a standard feature for the '89 or was an option added originally or configuration modified later on. In any case, I guess it's not the standard setup.

My website does not have any photos showing the installation. Only photos with the main sail cover on. I'll have to take some more snapshots.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
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Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 20:14:19

The fixed boom is a standard feature of the 89.

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tinob
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Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 11:57:29

Zack, Judging from the pictures that you posted, it appears that you have a tall rig. The std. has much more clearance over the sliding hatch.

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tinob
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Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 11:59:28

Sorry about the Zack, Zach.

Val

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Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 13:16:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The fixed boom is a standard feature of the 89.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">From what you and Larry are saying, that's probably true, but I'm reasonably sure it wasn't factory standard on Zach's 1982 boat, because his hull number is close to the hull number of my 1981 boat, and, back then, I was conscious of the changes Catalina made each year.

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