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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

stem fitting, etc.

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CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/01/2006 : 17:51:33

I did a test raise of the mast yesterday. Everything worked, and it took about 2 hours. It was my first time, so it will probably go faster next time. A few questions though -

1) There are 4 holes in the bow stem fitting for the head stay. Note that I have roller furling. Three of the holes are parallel and close to the deck, and one is on a small tang (or bracket) that goes up around 2 inches at a 60 degree angle. I assumed that the clevis pin has to go into one of the 3 lower holes, but it was a chore getting it in there. I had to use the genoa halyard tied to the trailer pole to do it. The back stay was as loose as possible. Should I have tried to use the other hole (on the tang / bracket)? The owners manual does not cover this at all. Is there something that goes between the two holes in the fitting at the bottom of the drum and the stem fitting? My 400 has a heavy duty tang that pins between the two.

2) How do most of you leave the standing rigging when the boat is sitting on the trailer? When I picked it up the wires were not connected to the chain plates - they were just left on the deck. I think it may be easier to leave them connected and just coil them as best as you can.

3) Previous owner or dealer had pulled the topping lift out of the boom and left a tracer to draw it back in. Wouldn't it be easier to just untie it from the mast head? Of course you have to remember to tie it before you raise the mast again.

Thanks for your help.

CaptRon400
C250 WK #688 "Running Free"
Telstar 28 #359 "Tri-Power"
2002 SeaDoo Challenger 2000 Merc V6
C400 #74 "Good Vibrations" (sold)

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2006 : 19:15:58

Hey Capt Ron.
My furler attaches to the front "Tang" as you described. I don't recall how many holes are there but I attach to the upper most hole. I have to loosen the front turnbuckle just about all the way in order to get it attached. I marked the turnbuckle so I know how far I need to adjust when I put it back. Another tip you can use, (if you have a split back stay) is to take one of the back legs loose it helps a little bit. Its much easier for me to hook that one loose back stay leg back than wrestle the heavy furler.

I leave all my stays attached (except the front) and coil them up the best I can, then use plastic zip ties to secure them in a coil. I also zip tie the the coil to the life lines to keep them off the deck. To undue, just use a pair of snips to cut them loose. A 100 pack of those ties are cheap. I tried the bungee cords but like the wire ties better.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 09/01/2006 19:18:26

CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2006 : 10:20:03

Thanks Tom.

After struggling to get the drum hooked up to the stem (and finally succeeding using the halyard), I figured it would be a lot easier to use the 2" higher hole on the fitting than any of the 3 at its base. I had originally thought that the raised hole was more suited for a cruising spinnaker (in front of the mounted drum). The 3 lower holes are also a more secure attachment for the drum (there are bolts both in front and behind them), but the head stay and roller are probably not long enough to make it there. Out of curiosity, I may call Catalina and find out what they originally intended. There is absolutely nothing about it in the manual. Good idea about removing one of the split backstays.

To get to the head stay's turnbuckle, wouldn't the drum have to come off? If that's true, wouldn't it be easier to trailer or store the boat with the drum stored down below? I picked up the boat with the drum hanging in front of the pulpit and tied to the trailer arm. Didn't look too safe there. I also glanced at the Shaeffer furling manual yesterday and that specifically says to remove the drum (and also the swivel at the top) when you trailer the boat.

Hey, I know how to rig a boat and sail - but I've got to learn how to trailer one now. Thanks again for the suggestions. I don't think I'll launch it until I get to Florida in around 2 months - I'd have to pay NJ sales tax and then Florida would stick me with the same bill (if titled elsewhere within 6 months).

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2006 : 10:21:21

The topping lift can be dealt with by attaching a small snap hook to the topping lift about 18" above the boom end. Run a line from the boom through a small block and feed through the sheave and boom. When setting up, simply make the snap hook on the topping lift to the block bail.

Not only does this give hook up ease, but it yields a 2:1 purchase on the topping lift making it easier to adjust.

Edited by - on

CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2006 : 10:25:09

Tom -

I just looked at the photo's you posted on another thread. The furling drum is attached. Does that mean you remove it to raise / lower the mast, then reassemble it onto the head stay? If it has to be done, I'd probaly elect to toss it down below.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2006 : 14:50:50

Ron,
If I recall you said you have a CDI Furler. If this is the case, then there's no need to remove the drum. There is a small pin that you pull and the drum slides up the furler to expose the front turnbuckle. Then you can loosen or tighen the turnbuckle which ever you need and then slide the drum back down and reinstall the pin. (The grey furler rest on the pin I'm talking) Here's a [url="http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages/forestay-adjustment-with-cdi.htm"]Link[/url] that should help.

Edited by - on

CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2006 : 17:02:47

Tom -

It's a Schaefer Snapfurl CF-1500. I may have to pull the drum to get at the turnbuckle. If and when Ernesto ever leaves the mid-atlantic I'll take a 2nd look at it. Schaffer does say to remove the drum to trailer the boat. But it makes sense if your're going 1200+ miles. Why have it flopping around? I'm building the same system that you're using on your boat to hold the furler over the mast (but mine is at a 45 degree angle), and may build an extension to carry the drum weight if I decide to leave it on.

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zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2006 : 12:36:18

I have a CDI furler on a WB 250. After trial and strain I finally figured out that loosening the back stay as much as possible and using either the mast raising strap on the trailer or the unused jib halyard for extra forward pull, the furler tab meets the raised tang on the stem with little effort

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CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2006 : 16:23:16

I was trying (probably incorrectly) to get the drum to mount on one of the 3 holes that run parallel to the deck on the stem. I finally got it to fit, and it would have been a lot easier if I tried the raised bracket / tang instead. I figured that one was for a cruising chute, where the tack has to be forward of the head stay.

Edited by - on

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