Association Forum - Mainsail Question

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Mainsail Question

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/13/2006 : 08:22:41

My main has two holes in the head plate to attach the halyard. They both are horizontal to each other and spaced about 3 inches apart (one closer to the luff and the other closer to the leech) I've always hooked to the one closer to the luff.

Whats the purpose of having two, I expect it has something to do with sail shape but what effect does it play?

1997 250 TR WK (sold)
1984 O'Day 28 (sold)
1979 SISU 22
Bath, NC.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 08:44:05

Tom, I presume you have the standard Catalina Mainsail with the built up head plate. Same thing here and same question.
Paul.

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 09:07:40

Hey Tom,

The headboards are sort of a standard item that are purchased in large quantities from outside vendors. Many of these vendors are supplying headboards to several sail lofts and the sails end up on lots of different boats.

The two holes in the headboard are so that you can position the halyard shackle on the headboard so-as to allow for a vertical (read as relatively low friction) hoist. The halyard should be parallel to the mast all the way up to the top. The pulley system in the mast head cap determines whether to use the forward or aft hole. For most all of the Catalina models, the forward hole is preferred because the halyard pulley sheave is just forward of the aft edge of the mast. And the aft hole has little or no function.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 09:08:45

I've found that the hole closest to the luff works well the other hardly at all. I assume the aft hole would serve as a downhaul location. Only Gary knows for sure and he hasn't said

Anyone ever ask him?

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 09:22:04

Most mainsail headboards are made that way.

The hole closest to the mast track is the one you're supposed to use in order to get the fairest halyard lead, unless you have an oversized masthead sheave in which case you'd use the other grommet for a fair lead up the mast.

I don't believe the second hole has anything at all to do with sail shape. Think of it as a spare in the event the primary hole is damaged.

Edited to say: Bill types faster than I do".

Edited by - oldsalt on 08/13/2006 09:24:42

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 09:28:16

Bill,
That makes a lot of sense, that second hole in the head board has always interested me. I've tried using it but didn't notice anything different, however I was looking for sail shape. My thought was it would make the leech tighter or something like that. Now that you explained it, it makes perfect sense. I'll check the vertical run of the halyard next trip to the boat. Thanks.

Edited to say; thanks to you too Mark.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 08/13/2006 09:31:21

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 12:06:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tinob
 I assume the aft hole would serve as a downhaul location...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think you'd find that would pull the headboard to the side, causing the upper slug to bind and making it tougher to douse the main.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 13:35:06

forward most hole should be used. As was mentioned you are looking for a completely vertical pull.

dw

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 21:48:36

The aft hole has no function. Oh I could make up a cool story about it was put there to attach a pendant or such but not realy. Just count your blessings. My new boats mast is 62' and once up I cant see much of the top of the sail without me glasses.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 22:41:53

The aft hole does have a function when required to reef in high winds. Check this reefing article at the bottom under " Key items to look for" third bullet. http://www.sailmaker.com/articles/reefing.htm

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 20:54:28

your right. I never knew that before. learn something new every day.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 21:13:34

Me too. It's obvious that is what the second hole is for, however I question the load differences on a 2 lateral difference over a 30 foot hoist.

I do agree with their Jiffy Reef assessment to the point of it being a good single hand alternative. I'm considering a reefing hook this coming fall for next season and eliminating the single line reef for both clew and tack.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 21:28:02

That's what I love about this site. Ask and learn!
Thanks Jerry, tell the admiral hello for us.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 08/14/2006 21:29:05

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 22:22:08

I understand what he is saying about the single reef system, but I like the fact that I do not have to leave the cockpit when single handing the boat when the wind is blowing enough to need a reef. At that point, I think my mind is on safty not max speed. If I have someone else on board, that would be a different story. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 22:31:01

Exactly Dennis -great for single handing.....

Edited by - on

RedRedWhine
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2006 : 20:37:50

I have a question. Does anyone have any pictures of their reefing system. I single handing alot and right now I have to leave the cockpit. I really don't like this because we get strong gust here in the desert. Dennis I would like to see your set up. Thanks again for all the help.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2006 : 21:20:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RedRedWhine
 I have a question. Does anyone have any pictures of their reefing system. I single handing alot and right now I have to leave the cockpit. I really don't like this because we get strong gust here in the desert. Dennis I would like to see your set up. Thanks again for all the help.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There are two distinct groups of reefers. The single line and the dual line, (with the ram's horn variation). I am a two line guy. In this photo you will see a black line cleated on the starboard side of the mast, it goes up through the reef tack and down to the base of the mast out to a deck organizer and back on the port side to a clutch. You see a blue line running along the boom to a cheek block and down to the mast base, over to a deck organizer and back to a clutch on the starboard side. There are a lot of rigging ideas on the pages of the url in my sig.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2006 : 21:20:45

a jiffy reefing system is probably the easiest. There are a number of ways to rig it, but this is the absolute most basic...sorry no pics, but I'll try and explain as best I can.

Splice an eye into an end of 5/16 or 1/4 line. Attach the line through the tack pin of the sail via the spliced end. Run the line up to the reefing point then back down the other side to a turning block. (you can get a carbo from harken for less than 10 bucks that will hold a line that size)

From that block run the line along the boom to where the reefing kringle is on the leech of the sail. again another turning block on the boom, up through the kringle and down the other side to a horn cleat. You can run the line through the center of the horn cleat for convenience.

To reef, loosen the halyard to the premarked spot and take in on the reefing line.

The aft turning block needs to be equal to or farther aft than the spot where the kringle lies on the boom while reefing.

If you have two reefs you can repeat this going back the opposite direction.

Additional mods would run these lines aft....

Check the tech tips section for more reefing tips

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2006 : 21:33:37

Hi Don, this week I am finally cleaning up my mess from the last six months and will take pics, and post them, of all the work I've done on this boat...including the reef system. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.