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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Getting there slowly

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2far2drive
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/09/2007 : 16:23:52

Well, like the title suggests, Im getting there, slowly but surely.

I have been learning quite a lot from everything I have been reading (borrowed a much better sailing handbook) and its coming along smoothly now. The motor has been laying up in my garage for a while now while I have all the parts from Yamaha on order. Well after nickel and diming me a total of over 100 bucks, I finally have all the seals and o-rings and everything I need. I will be doing all the waterpump and carb stuff myself and then Im dropping it back off at the shop for the propshaft seals and orings and a retap of a broken bolt.

I finally ordered all of my lines from MauriPro so those should be in sometime next week and hopefully will be installed next weekend. I went with some prefab stuff in a hurry (all New England rope) because of the lack of a decent knot book near me with eye splices on single braid etc so Ill just have to figure that out some other time.

I picked up some silicone sealant and started sealing all of the little screws and screw holes for the teak handrails that are steadily leaking and fouling up my cushions. Not to mention making the entire cabin musky and mildewy. We'll see how it holds up. I kinda need to be in there during a good downpour or a friend with a good hose I guess haha.

I have spent a few weekends just sleeping on her and having fun cleaning and working with all of my lines and I cant wait to be able to sail off to a secluded part of the bay and just stay the weekend.

I did get to take her out for a short sail (maybe 5 minutes?) a couple of weeks ago. A friend in the marina who is restoring a 75 C-27 finally got tired of my complaining and grabbed his trolling motor and 2 batteries. We got the running lights on (it was dusk and sun setting fast) and hooked everything up. The wind was maybe 10-15kts and that poor trolling motor could barely get her out. Disaster almost struck as we were leaving the marina and we hit the covered powerboat building with the starboard upper shrowd. I was freaking out as I could not push us off the piling because it was a good 5ft under the overhang (whats funny is there was a boathook just down below in the cabin haha) and I watched in horror as we drifted closer and closer then blam! I thought the rigging and mast was about to come down and my main concern was keeping us off the very expensive Grady White hanging there and well, we just bounced off. Enough tension built and woooooop, it bounced us off like a rubberband. Anyways, it was fun sailing her (i was working the sails haha) and I got a chance to remember that feeling I got so long ago when my family day chartered a boat.

Just wanted to check in with everyone and let you guys know Im getting there. Thanks for all of the great feedback in my first post, it has helped me greatly. I cant wait to be on the water, this is a great time in Texas to be sailing! Yes its a little chilly but as a surfer, the cold water doesnt bother me too much. When we finally dip into the mid-low 60s, Ill just wear my 3/2 wetsuit I use when I surf, it should keep me nice and toasty. I never understood all of the foul weather gear when a wetsuit does it all and possibly more. Maybe Im missing something??

Anyways, I havent decided my approach to replacing the rigging next weekend. If I use messenger loops will all the new halyards pass through the sheeves with knots in them? Sorry Ive never seen the sheeves so I havent the slightest clue as to what they look like. Should I bring my mast down? I have read and re read all of the procedures and I feel very confident that I can do this with the help of 2 or 3 friends.

1 more question, I have only 1 winch on my mast and 2 in the cockpit. I have read/hear about winch sharing but Im not exaclty sure on how to do it. My question is this, I use the mast winch for my main halyard, what do/should I use for the jib halyard? Thanks again everyone. This has been a great experience so far!

David
83 SR/FK #3341
Kemah Texas

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2007 : 17:17:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I have read/hear about winch sharing <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
After you've raised your main sail, take the main sail halyard off the winch and secure the halyard to a cleat - or preferably, have the line run through a rope clutch or cam cleat to hold it. When you're done with the main halyard, use the winch for the jib halyard.

On my C25, I've never used a winch to raise a sail, it simply has not been necesary. I only have two winches, one on each side of the cockpit.

Good on ya' for getting out for a sail. Every subsequent sail will only feel better.

FWIW - if I was installing new rigging, I'd bring the mast down.

Prior to my C25, I did a lot of windsurfing - I really love dry boat sailing. I don't ever want to see that wetsuit again.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2007 : 19:32:30

Hello David,
I understand the meaning of getting there slowly. It's taking me literally years.
I don't know for sure if you can pull new halyards through with old ones or not. It can not be done on my boat because there is a plate on top of my mast that prevents the lines from hopping out of the sheave. There is only room for one thickness of line to go through.
It is a good idea to drop the mast and check out everything. There is a lot of things to look at up there. Rigging, lights, halyard sheaves and pins.
Just my two cents.
What year is your boat?
Dan

Edited by - on

1981capri
Navigator

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USA
175 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2007 : 20:52:24

I just changed the halyards on my CP25. It was easy. Just cut off the shackle end of the old halyard at the mast and put a wrap of masking tape on it to keep it from fraying. Then sew the butt ends of the line together with waxed whipping string(dental floss will work). Then wrap the joint tightly with vinyl tape, like electrical tape, about 2 inched each way from the joint to fair it. Then you just pull the new line up the mast and back down and out the bottom. Just be careful to secure the shackle end of the new line so it doesn't get pulled up the mast.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2007 : 00:05:53

I have the same number of winches plus the two more for the spinnaker. The winch on the mast is used only for the forward sail as I use a block with a becket for the main to assist raising and then used the down haul for the tension on the main. I readjust the tension on the forward sail as it shakes out and the boat is going toward windward (racing). The 25 does a great job going to windward.

Going slowly or perpusly gives you a better chance to reflect and make good decisions and their yours.

Have a great time.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2007 : 09:24:45

Hi David... You're getting there! Regarding the leaky handrails, for future reference, the generally advised approach is to remove the rails and bed them with a polysulfide caulk like Boatlife Life Caulk. Finger-tighten the nuts and screws just enough so the caulk squeezes out a little around each base, let the caulk cure for a few days, and then crank them down. Then you can cut the excess with a knife blade and peel it off from around the rail bases. The result is a nicely compressed gasket, and the polysulfide will be easy to remove if you decide to re-do the rails in the distant future. Silicone is a mess to remove and deteriorates/discolors in sunlight, and polyurethane (3M 5200) can put a death-grip on whatever it's used on. That's your tip for the day...

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priusron
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2007 : 09:20:03

Where is your boat located? I have had mine for about 1 1/2 months and it is at Marina Del Sol in Kemah.

Ron

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2far2drive
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2007 : 14:26:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by priusron
 Where is your boat located? I have had mine for about 1 1/2 months and it is at Marina Del Sol in Kemah.

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

Im actually in Seabrook I think. My uncle rents a condo there and for the moment, my boat is slipped for free. I want to say they are called "The Landing". Its at Nasa Rd 1 and Kirby.

Well, I got a handheld VHF radio now and insurance too, so as soon as the outboard is finished, Ill be set to go for some learning around the lake/bay.

The next things on my list are a new battery and tiller handle and possibly a new mainsheet. My trip out to run the halyards and topping lift reminded me just how rotten the bottom of the mainsheet is from not being tied up properly. It just sits on the cockpit floor and its a mess to get your hands on.

As for my topping lift, currently it is just run to a small shackle or something at the end of the boom and square notted on. How do I add a small cleat to the side of the boom? I havent been able to figure this out, but then again, I havent read/researched to much. Just got back from another side trip through Mexico

. Met an awsome guy down there on a 40ft ketch rig single handing around central america. cool guy. Anyways, Ill try and get some photos up soon.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2007 : 15:18:53

To add a cleat, you can pick up an inexpensive tapping tool--some come with the corresponding drill bit. See what size bolt is right for the cleat, get the tap and bit, drill the hole, and then carefully screw the tap into it to thread the hole. Then just screw the cleat on with the bolts. Alternatively (but less ideal) you can use self-tapping sheet-metal screws.

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