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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

mast gates

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gerdo
Navigator

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107 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/01/2002 : 08:42:27

I have a 1982 SK C25 and ordered mast gates from: joemartinek@starband.net He makes them himself. Using a stainless steel rod and sheet stainless steel. He welds the two together, grinds and polishes them, matches the curve of the mast perfectly and even sends the screws to attach, all for $25 including shipping. He could not be any nicer, even called to see if I got them. I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of the material and workmanship. The weld was not even detectable, they were that polished. I recommend them highly. They have made reefing a breeze. You gotta get them.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2002 : 20:47:48

Thanks, Gerdo... I think I will. I bought a piece of scrap SS and tried my best--cutting, folding, bending, filing, fiddling..., but couldn't get the slugs to slide past it without hanging up. I was successful on our previous boat, but not this time. It's not worth much more of my time.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/01/2002 20:51:06

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2002 : 01:19:48

Yes, I too purchased the gates from Joe and love them. I keep meaning to take pics but won't be able to get back to the boat for a few weeks. Well worth the $$ and very nicely made. Reefing is easy and the sail slugs don't get caught up at all.

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

Edited by - on

Tony Dillon
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2002 : 11:07:38

I am glad everyone is happy with the mast gates, I ordered a set yesterday. Joe was very prompt in responding to my e-mail. I am really looking forward to receiving them.

Tony Dillon
Mental Floss

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2002 : 08:47:26

I too got a set from Joe a year ago.

Everything from Start to finish about the order process was top notch.

If any of you have gotten a new main with slightly larger slugs (the portion that connects to the sail not the portion in the track.) you may only need one gate not a set. I know it sounds odd, but with the main from Sobstad, the slugs wouldn't slide through the gates. I took one of the gates off and it works like a charm.

Just wanted to make mention of it before someone drills un-needed holes in the mast.

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d603b3127cce9f858f0ef3ef0000001010" border=0>

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2002 : 17:56:45

Testimonies are one of the most effective advertising tools - even better when it's free!

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2002 : 14:02:00

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Using a stainless steel rod and sheet stainless steel. He welds the two together, grinds and polishes them, matches the curve of the mast perfectly and even sends the screws to attach, all for $25 including shipping. I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of the material and workmanship. The weld was not even detectable, they were that polished. I recommend them highly.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Gerdo, I ordered these based on the above assessment. You're right on - they're beautifully made and for $25 he's certainly not making any money. Joe must make these out of his love for sailing.
Thanks Joe and Gerdo!

Edited by - OJ on 10/25/2002 19:13:24

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 18:27:52

Here's a close-up of the mast gates Gerdo describes above:
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2ce08b3127cce91d2aba0b84b0000002411" border=0>

Edited by - OJ on 11/14/2002 21:51:11

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 18:40:16

O.K. So now I'm thoroughly confused (often my favorite condition!<img src=icon_smile_8ball.gif border=0 align=middle>)
How do these suckers work? We just leave the sail slug stop in position and reef on top of it. Seems to work fine.
Would a more intelligent sailor please program me...<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>
Derek

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 19:37:33

Derek,

After the mainsail slugs have been inserted in the mast, the mast gates are installed in the mast slot instead of installing a "stop". The gates provide two functions, one, they prevent the mainsail slugs from coming out and, two, they allow the mainsail slugs to fall all the way to the boom making it a tad easier and neater when flaking.

<img src="http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/nymslot1.jpg" border=0>
(Picture is from the Tech Tips section)

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
Catalina

Edited by - dlucier on 10/29/2002 19:50:59

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 19:56:27

Based on the recommendations of those on this forum, I just made a pair. I used the instructions from the C-22 site (http://www.catalina22.org/techtips/mastgate.htm) -- it seemed the aluminum carpet edge molding would be easier to find and work than stainless. It was a pretty easy project.

As you still do, I also used to use a sail slide stopper just above the "slot" to prevent the slides from falling out when lowering the sail. With the mast gates (and no stopper), the slides fall all the way to the boom. While I've only tested it in the slip, it seems to make reefing slightly easier, in that you can make the "bunch" tighter at the base of the luff when reefing. However, when flaking the sail, the boom/mast attachment point is lower than previously because the boom was previously allowed to drop no further than the distance between the tack and the first sail slide (which was being held above the sail slide stopper just above the slot).

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 20:19:33

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
However, when flaking the sail, the boom/mast attachment point is lower than previously because the boom was previously allowed to drop no further than the distance between the tack and the first sail slide (which was being held above the sail slide stopper just above the slot).
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Easy for you to say!

Richard, I have a second "stopper" underneath the gooseneck hardware (below the gate) which can be left in place permanently. I replaced the thumb wheel and stud with a panhead screw and flat washer.

Edited by - on

IndyJim
Navigator

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USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 22:00:24

Don,

I gotta thank you for your explanation and photo. I've needed some mast gates bad and didn't even know there was such a thing. I've got the regular stoppers but gates would be soooo much nicer. Thanks for the explanation. I was intrigued but had no idea what those suckers were for! Now I know I need them! And they look slick for only $25!

These will make my life much easier!

Thanks for starting the discussion Gerdo!

IndyJim
"Itza Dew Sea"
'84 SK/TR #8425

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 11:16:47

Thanks for the explanation - now they make sense! And for only 1/4BU! So I ordered a set...(it's only money...)
Derek

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 07:46:52

I made a set some time back with the aluminum threshold material, but they do tend to hang up sometimes. I am ordering a set myself. Thanks for the tip.

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2002 : 18:22:13

I also ordered mast gates from Joe, <joemartinek@starband.net>. They arrived when promised. The fit and quality are excellent. Where the instructions say to trim down the SS gates to fit the mast, I found it just as easy to trim the mast slot cutout to fit the gates, especially for getting the gap between the gates wide enough for heavy duty 1/2" slugs to pass smoothly.

No more worries about the sail stop slipping out of the luff groove at an inopportune time, and spilling the mainsail all over the deck. I'm also looking forward to smoother reefing, but more on that later.

-- Leon Sisson

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