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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Cars coming out of the mast track.

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dmattlin
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/20/2006 : 01:43:24

I have only had my C25 for a few months now with no problem what so ever with the cars coming out of the track. All the sudden this evening when I was lowering the main sail I noticed that the cars are coming out of the track just above the boom where the track widens. I know this is where the cars are placed into the track but I have never had the cars come out before when lowering and raising the sail. Is this normal or has something fallen off that is supposed to be there that prevents this?

84 C25, Tall rig
"Sea Fever"
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/mai_taim/

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 02:05:38

Thanks for the question Dave and welcome. Enjoy reading as far back in our archives as you like, there is an amazing amount of knowledge shared here.
Contact catalinadirect.com the standard mast uses this, make sure the tall kerf uses the same.

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display& category_id=149

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 05:41:42

Are we talking about the sail slugs that slide up and down the mast slot and hold the main sail and they are coming out of the mast track ? There is usually a sail stop lug that is screwed/clamped in the mast slot and prevents the sail slugs from dropping down to the mast area where the track widens. You must have had sail stop that came loose and either fell off or is still on the mast but just slipped down to the bottom of the mast track.

I would first check and see if the sail stop is still in the track. If not, go and do what Frank suggested or get another sail stop from West Marine. Unfortunately, I bought the wrong one at West Marine (did not fit into the track) and so i just used a machine screw withwasher and nut. Tightened it up and sail slugs are prevented from dropping down to the widened area.

Having the sail slugs come out is definitely a nuisance. Especially, when raising the main sail and then discovering that a slug or two at the top are not in the slot. That's a bummer...but easily fixed with a screw, washer and nut or the stops that are made for the purpose.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 06:02:38

Hi Larry, that is the great thing about this forum. I was going to make two plates like Frank showed in his post, but I never thought about putting a sail stop above the slots to stop the slugs from coming out. I have worked hard to lead all my lines back to the cockpit but still have to climb up to the mast to raise the mails'l just so the slugs stay in. Actually, in my case they don't come out, they get hung up and I have to pound them in with the heel of my hand. Cheers and thanks for this simple solution.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 06:34:28

A sail stop is inferior to the mast gates because it holds the slugs above the loading slot, that means that you cannot get the reef tack down hard on the boom like you should (unless your sail comes with jacklines on the first few slugs as Ullman sails do). My 89 has a different gate shape and I cannot use these gates like I did on my 82. I miss them terribly. Mast gates are worth every penny and more.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 06:52:29

Frank, look into the mast gates that Holcomb made many years ago. I think his tech tip is still out there. I think his mod will work with any gate

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ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 07:26:53

Frank, did you check aith CD? I used the CD mast gates on our 89 Tall Rig. The only thing I had to do is file the ends to match the curve of the opening. You have to work on it a bit to make sure the gates line up with the mast track. Well worth it. As you said you can reef more cleanly (our local sail loft said "I'll put in a jack line if you want but get mast gates, you'll be happier". Also the sail flakes better and the sail cover fits better.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 07:35:03

Good point Frank. I am heading out to the boat right now to check it. Cheers.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 08:16:31

Mast gates won't be a good thing if your main is a bolt rope w/o slugs, or maybe they don't make them that way for the Catalina 25.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 08:42:22

No, your right Rick -

Mast gates would be useless on a bolt roped main. I still question those that have that setup – I envision our kerf slot being a bit too high for that to function properly?

Then again, you wouldn’t have a mast gate need either with a bolt rope.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 10:07:27

My kerf opening is only on a single side of the kerf and is very short and narrow, it almost makes it gateless but not quite.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 10:27:48

Duane, my old main has slugs, my new main, which is more a racing design is a bolt rope. Maybe a good work around for me, because I use both sails depending on conditions, is what Frank has, put in a gate on one side of the slot, leave the other open for the bolt rope main.

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 11:04:32

Frank, I also have an '89 with the one sided mast slot. I made a plate (as described in earlier threads) from a piece of $3 aluminum carpet threshold from Home Depot and easily cut it to fit. Works great. Give it a shot, I think you'll be happy once again!!

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 11:12:07

Hi Frank, you were right, If I put a stopper above the slot, I can't reef my mail and I just spent time and money setting up a reefing line from the cockpit. So on my way back from the boat I bought a carpet threshold to make the gates with. CHeers.

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dmattlin
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 11:43:30

WOW.... now I know why I am a member..
Great info from all of you. Thank you so much.
I knew there had to be something missing. Just ordered my new Mastgater (as well as a few other must haves)..

Thanks again
Dave

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 13:16:22

Mastgater is Lowells term....they will always be mast gates to me!

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 13:31:51

You now he wanted to go with Mastigator, you know a play on masticate. Thanks for the carpet strip suggestion.

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Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 15:26:11

I just installed the mast gates from CD and they work great. The main flakes beautifully when lowering. I will admit to a most embarassing event during my install. I did not know what the tapping tool was for and assumed it needed to be "tapped" into the screw holes with a hammer. Bing! The tapping tool broke and flew into the water leaving a broken end in the screw hole. Luckily we were able to pry it out. My very nice marina neighbor explained what the tapping tool was for (slow turns in the drilled screw holes to create a track for the screw-screws won't go in without those grooves created by the tapping tool). I had to get another tapping tool to complete what should have been a 1/2 hour project.
A few tips:
Keep a metal file handy when you are fitting the mast gates. I found myself having to go back and forth filing to get a really nice fit.
I used masking tape to hold the mast gates against the mast while fitting and before drilling. They tell you to have someone hold the mast gates, but my first mate was busy. The tape worked fine.
Before drilling the holes, make sure the sail slugs run freely through the gates by running one up and down several times. You will see where you need to make those fine filings.

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ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 15:57:16

well, I knew what the tapping tool is for but it broke into 6 pieces in the first hole anyway. Took it back and got a replacement from Lowe's. Mangled the hole so bad I had to drill another hole in the mast-gate to install. yes, the trick is to keep filing until it looks (and works) right and then make sure the holes are in the right place.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2006 : 06:40:29

Frank,

Thanks for the explanation regarding using mast gates for better reefing of the main.

The sail stops or a screw with washer and nut are fine especially in the short term which sometimes drags out to the long term but the mast gates....I have to consider that.

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Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2007 : 20:35:54

Brian, Do you have a picture of the carpet threshold you used for mast gates. Going there tomorrow and would like to start cutting them to fit tomorrow.
Thanks

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2007 : 22:07:17

Yet another thing to remember about mastigated screw holes, as applied to mastigators and mast gates:
Remember that you will be using stainless steel screws in an aluminum mast - DO NOT overtighten, as aluminum threads are easily stripped. Snug is the word.

I learned about snug the hard way - even though I was fore-warned here.

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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2007 : 22:50:55

In addition, BEFORE you screw the stainless steel screws into the aluminum mast, slather the screws and the holes with Lanocote or another simialr material to minimize galvanic corrosion between the dissimilar metals.

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