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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Here is my rigging setup see anything wrong?

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ajski1000
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/16/2006 : 21:51:53

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/narrowsrealty/detail?.dir=/2d1dre2& .dnm=7506re2.jpg& .src=ph
HI all, appreciate the help. Ok, I nought the boat with this setup last year and never modified, but I dont think its right specifally how the pigtail is tied off to the stern pulput and also the topping lift. Does this setup not allow for reefing or how would it be done?

thanks

Edited by - ajski1000 on 06/16/2006 21:53:57

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2006 : 06:48:31

I am certainly no expert, but I don't think you should try to use both at the same time. Our pigtail is swedged to the backstay and attaches to the boom with a snap shackel. We only use it when berthed or stored. A kind of safety backup to keep the boom from crashing into the cockpit if the real topping lift fails. (But the swedge could fail, also).
Before setting sail we make sure the adjustable topping lift running from the mast is set, then unclip the pigtail. This was discussed in a post several weeks ago with a good drawing. It has several uses, including aiding reefing.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2006 : 08:38:48

I installed lazy jacks last year and they work as a "backup" topping lift.
Yes, my full batten sail will sometimes hang up when raising, but it isn't really a big deal.
your boat name is, well, priceless

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2006 : 10:24:42

Dan's exactly right. The C25 didn't come with a topping lift -- many owners installed them later. The pigtail was swaged to the backstay and clipped to the boom end ONLY when docked/moored, motoring, or otherwise not using the mainsail. When the sail is up, the sail keeps the boom from falling on your head in the cockpit. If you don't have a topping lift and the sail is lowered, so, to coin a phrase, is the boom -- on your noggin. So, boats without topping lifts raise the main by turning into the wind, raising the sail, and then unclipping the pigtail. Lowering the main reverses the operation.

Since you have a topping lift (which you can also use to control sail shape on light wind days), use the pigtail when the boat is docked/moored/motoring for extra security and/or to reduce the boom swing. For heaven's sake, unclip it when you sail!

Brooke

Edited by - Brooke Willson on 06/17/2006 11:25:27

bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2006 : 11:01:33

Looks like the PO rigged the pigtail so it could be raised further to get out of head's way when at anchor or at the dock. A nice touch really. When uderway you must unclip the pigtail so the boom is loose. The topping lift is used mainly to support the boom when the pigtail is unclipped, during raising and lowering of the main, and while reefing. Some use it to put more twist in the sail. I'm guessing that one would do that only in very light wind (?), since that powers-up the sail.

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2006 : 11:37:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Brooke Willson
 So, boats without topping lifts raise the main by turning into the wind, raising the sail, and then unclipping the pigtail.
Brooke
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It only took me one (embarassing) time to learn the wisdom of raising the sail BEFORE unclipping the pigtail rather than the other way around.

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 06/19/2006 11:38:34

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2006 : 19:28:05

With the installation of a proper topping on my boat, the old pigtail goes unused and is currently taped to the backstay.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 08:34:52

I hate that pigtail! One issue is simply forgetting to unhook it... Another is the scenario where you're getting ready to drop the main in a good breeze, start the engine, head into the wind, hook up the pigtail, and then the engine stalls. You quickly loose your steerage, the bow falls off, the sail fills, and you can't get to the pigtail without standing on the leeward seat as the boat heels over...

Actually, I made most of that up...

But I only use the topping lift.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 08:45:43

I always use the pigtail when rigging the boat for me leaving the club. I harden the mainsheet against the pigtail and regardless of the wind strength the boom can only sway so much. If I used the topping lift alone the boom swig would be much greater and that seems unnecessarily hard on hardware.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 18:54:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 I hate that pigtail!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Me too!

On my previous boat, which didn't have a topping lift, the pigtail caused more mishaps than anything else on the boat. On more than a few occasions I thought I was going to lose the backstay (or rig) when the boat fell off the wind filling the main before I could unclip it. Additionally, trying to unclip the pigtail with the end of the boom dancing around is no fun.

This is why my pigtail is taped against the backstay and is used only when I'm on the hard for the winter.

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ajski1000
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 22:02:30

HI all,

Thanks for the responses. I guess im seriously thinking about retiring the pig tail for now.
Did you happen to see that the original wire doesn’t reach the boom at all? There is another block with a rope that is being used to lengthen the pig tail and then it’s tied off at the stern rail. Seems jerry rigged anyway.

AJ

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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.