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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

rigging age

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Walt Oler
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/29/2008 : 22:11:01

My wife and I just bought a 1982 Catalina 25 that the 2 previous owners had sailed in Galveston Bay and the Sea of Cortez. We will be moving it back to Galveston. This is our first saltwater boat - newbies.

Question is should we replace the rigging? As well as we can tell, the rigging is 14 years old. There is some surface rust at the fittings but nothing is broken, cracked or bent. The mast is still down and replacing the standing and running rigging would be easy now - except for the forestay which is in a Harken furler. Do people replace the forestay in a furler when replacing the other lines?

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2008 : 22:42:10

Yes you should replace your rigging.
If there is ever any doubt about the stuff holding your mast up, it should be replaced. And it sounds like there is some doubt. It is not a very expensive undertaking, you should be able to replace all the standing rigging for under $200.
Forestay should be replaced.
Methinks that forestay and backstay are more important items to replace if you are only going to replace some of the standing rigging.
I replace parts of my standing rigging every year. First year it was forestay and backstay, second year forward lower shrouds,next uppers and etc.

Welcome to the forum

Tell us about your boat

Edited by - on

Walt Oler
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2008 : 07:10:07

Ours is a tall rig that is really in excellent shape. We have a main and working jib that are in great shape and another main that is new. (Question: What about trading the jib and main for a genoa?) The interior is in the classic(?) configuration and very clean. My wife has made new curtains and that's it. I have taken out the fresh water tank, rinsed and bleached it and replaced all of the fresh water tubing. We are also going to add PV and shorepower charging systems and a couple of new bilge pumps (Question: I am thinking of getting the automatic Rule pumps that sense water on the impeller instead using a float switch - opinions?) 

The previous owner put a fresh bottom job on it and the rest of the exterior is good. It looks like I'll be replacing the standing rigging (Two questions: 1) Taking the Harken furler apart to replace the forestay looks complicated - is it that bad? 2) The rigging kit from CD will be ~$750. How do you do it for $200?) I am also going to replace the current wire/rope halyards with all Sta-Set X 5/16" line and put in new ball bearing sheaves. The VHF antenna and cable need to be replaced, too. For Houston, we also want to add a bimini. The current depth sounder doesn't work and will have to be replaced (Question: recommendations?).

The thru-hull ports are still the bronze fittings but there is no indication of leakage. I am inclined to leave them alone for now.

We bought the boat in Albuquerque, NM, pulled it to our home in Lubbock, Tx. We have had it for 3 weeks and were burning up to get it to Houston but now it looks like we will be waiting out the next 3 hurricanes. So we have time to do some maintenance. When I list all of the projects, it seems like a lot (what is that saying about a fiberglass hole?) but the end result will be very solid. We are beginners and I suspect that there will be enough to be anxious about without worrying about equipment.

The forum is great and I promise to not be so wordy in the future.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2008 : 08:48:21

Don't apologize, Walt--details are good when asking questions, and questions are primarily what this place is for. I'm not sure about that $200 (I recall my new standing rigging from Catalina Direct was more like $700+), but 15 years is a pretty good threshhold for a saltwater boat. (BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand!) The corrosion that'll get you is usually down inside the swages--they call it "crevice corrosion"--no external signs or rust. I'd just do it. CD's kits are excellent.

As for your furler, you might be able to pull a forestay through if you use the old stay to pull a messenger line into the tube, and then use the messenger to pull the new stay through. The upper toggle is smaller than the lower fittings, so it might be best to pull from bottom to top. I'm speculating here--I had a rigger run mine though my Hood furler--I think he did what I'm describing. Catalina Direct's tech people might be able to give you some guidance--you can try to get them on the phone, although that can be a challenge. Harken might also be willing to advise.

Your bronze "thru-hulls" are what we snidely refer to here as "to-hulls", and should go high on your list. When you remove them, you might be shocked! That'll also allow you to install proper ball-cocks on each.

All the best with your new yacht!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/30/2008 08:51:24

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2008 : 22:24:10

I don't recall standing rigging being that expensive, but I'm not suprised either....maybe that's why I decided to do mine incrementally.
My boat doesn't under-go the same financial scrutiny as other things in my life... If it needs a new one, I buy it and don't pay too much attention to cost.
I bought forestay and backstay from CD, but purchased stays from a local rigger.

My boat has one 'To Hull' and I will be replacing it this winter. I had an incident that illustrated to me how dangerous they are. The hose came off and fell into the bilge, below the water line and water gushed in.

As for your sail inventory, I suggest that you sail for while before you get rid of any sails.

Edited by - on

Walt Oler
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2008 : 22:31:10

I am a little amazed that the two little sinks justify the risk of the thru-hull openings. What about just putting a 5 gal bladder in the bilge and pumping it out occasionally. It doesn't seem like it would fill up that rapidly. That would eliminate the two openings.

Edited by - on

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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.