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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Newbie needs help

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chart1997
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/27/2009 : 19:23:16

Hi, I just bought a 1985 Catalina 25 and I'm new to boats of this size. I will be taking lessons later this summer, but I'm wondering if there is a website or posting that shows how to correctly rig the boat? Thanks

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2009 : 20:14:42

Welcome to the Forum. Welcome to Sailing a C-25!

If you have the Owner's Manual (see Manuals & Brochures at left), you can see how the main is rigged in the sailtrack on the mast, how the halyard hoists the sail, how the downhaul works, how the foot is attached to the boom and how the outhaul is snugged out. You may also see how the topping lift works to allow the boom not to fall down into the cockpit when the main is not hoisted, but how it should be loose when you set the main.

For the jib, some people have hank-on jibs that should be attached to the forestay and hoisted using the jib halyard. Others have a jib furler that rolls up the jib on a foil from the top of the mast to the bow of the boat.

The furler has a furling line to roll the jib up, or release the jib, and to deploy the jib, you simply pull on the leeward jib sheet. These sheets are placed outside the lifelines, through the jib block cars and are brought back into the cockpit to the winches on both the port and the starboard sides.

I keep my blocks pretty far back, just below the aft portlights (the back windows) so that I can get a reasonably flat jib when pointing.

There are several really good books on rigging a sloop.

Here are two books I purchased with a lot of excellent info about sailing:

Sailing Fundamentals by Gary Jobson
The Handbook Of Sailing by Bob Bond

And if you want your PhD in sailing there's always John Rousmaniere's

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship: Third Edition, Completely Revised, Expanded and Updated by John Rousmaniere and Mark Smith

You can always check with your local US Power Squadron (www.USPS.org) to see where they are planning their Sailing seminar. It's not bad and you get a lot of info.

Edited by - on

chart1997
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2009 : 21:02:23

Thanks for the help! My first try rigging the mainsail was a failure. I couldn't connect the sail to the boom...the mast was easy but not the boom . The manual didn't help with that, perhaps the books you recommend will. Thanks again.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 05:30:43

Welcome to the forum and C25 sailing. Most main sails have a rope called a boltrope sewn into the foot or bottom of the sail. This boltrope slides into the slot running the length of the boom, beginning at the front. The clew or aftermost corner of the sail will be tied to a line at the end of the boom called the outhaul. The tack or front corner of the sail will be attached to a pin at the fitting on the front of the boom. If you have a loose-footed main sail, i.e. no boltrope on the foot, simply attach the tack as above and attach the outhaul to the clew. tighten up the outhaul to remove any slack in the foot, but not too tight.
Introduce yourself to your dockmates and ask for their advice. Almost every sailor I know would be pleased to help you get started in this wonderful sport.

Edited by - dmpilc on 06/28/2009 05:33:21

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 07:42:09

Welcome to the forum. You'll find lots of great advice and helpful people here. So, ask lots of questions. Take advantage of the search functions and search specific ideas -- probably every question you might have has been discussed here -- often!

A bit of dry lubricant in the boom and mast tracks might be helpful. Particularly, if you're feeding a bolt rope in the boom. You can buy it at West Marine (called SailKote) or, at Home Depot (not the same brand name) for significantly less. Just remember you want to use DRY LUBRICANT. Also, I'd suggest trying to slide the sail into the boom first, then up the mast.

Spend $22 and join the Association. You'll find it to be a good investment.

Where are you?

Edited by - John Russell on 06/28/2009 07:43:37

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 07:46:38

If you'll tell us where your boat is located, one of our members might be nearby, and willing to meet you there and show you how to rig it.

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chart1997
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 08:08:07

Thanks again for all the help. The dry lubticant idea might be just what I need. The boat is currently in Hingham harbor MA.

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chart1997
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 12:26:26

After further investigation, it appears I have a loose footed main. I have never seen one before ( in my fairly limited experience). It has a metal slide that goes into the boom at the foot, but what's the best way to connect it to the boom along the length of the sail?
Thanks again for all your help.

Edited by - on

michaelj
Navigator

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132 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 14:02:19

If you haven't bought your jib sheets yet, SAIL magazine this month has a really slick idea. One problem I always have is the bowlines you tie to attach the sheets to the jib are always cathcing on the stays. The article recommends buying the total lenght of sheet you will need for the both sides of the jib and NOT CUTTING IT in half. Rather, double the sheet over and pass the loop at the midpoint through the clew on the jib. Then pass the bitter ends of the sheets though the loop. I am almost willing to just replace my jib sheet and do this because it looks so neat.

Edited by - on

pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 14:25:25

Michealj - my last boat - an O'day mariner had the jib sheets rigged this way. It worked great.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 15:01:21

I added new sheets and did that, but I also lashed. I rarely hangs up.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 15:06:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by michaelj
 If you haven't bought your jib sheets yet, SAIL magazine this month has a really slick idea. One problem I always have is the bowlines you tie to attach the sheets to the jib are always cathcing on the stays. The article recommends buying the total lenght of sheet you will need for the both sides of the jib and NOT CUTTING IT in half. Rather, double the sheet over and pass the loop at the midpoint through the clew on the jib. Then pass the bitter ends of the sheets though the loop. I am almost willing to just replace my jib sheet and do this because it looks so neat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Called a Cow Hitch. I thought it was the only way to do it til I read others did it differently on this forum.

To answer your question about the loose footed main. You don't attach it other than at the clew (pointy end close to the end of the boom) and tack (corner near the mast) Hence, the name "loose footed". Some prefer them as they are said to provide better sail shape since the base of the sail is more adjustable with the outhaul than a sail with a boltrope. I have no experience with them.

Edited by - John Russell on 06/28/2009 15:09:57

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2009 : 16:07:14

There are two options with a loose footed main to keep the clew down and close to the boom. The first is a short piece of line (or a strip of velcro)run through the clew cringle loosely and around the boom tied with a square knot, which can move as the outhaul is adjusted. The other option is a sail slug or other similar device attached to the clew cringle and inserted into the slot on the boom and moved to the end of the boom as you move the clew to the end of the boom in order to attach the outhaul. The only purpose the slide serves is to keep the clew close to the boom as you adjust the outhaul. When you are putting the main sail on the boom, first insert the slide attached to the clew cringle in the slot on the boom, then move it down the boom toward the end. Next attach the main sail's tack to the pin on the gooseneck fitting at the front of the boom. Then attach the outhaul to the clew and tension the foot of the sail. If the wind is strong, tension it snug. If the wind is light, don't make the outhaul tension too tight. Just ge tthe wrinkles out. Then out on the water, you can play with it a little.
In order to raise the main sail, attach the halyard shackle to the head of the sail and feed the slugs into the slot on the mast as you pull on the halyard, or insert the boltrope end at the head of the sail and feed the boltrope into the slot as you or someone else pulls on the halyard. Again you want to raise it up enough to remove wrinkles on the forward edge, but not too tight. If your boat has a boom that moves in the slot on the mast (i.e. not fixed into one location), be sure to loosen the downhaul (a line hanging down under the gooseneck fitting at the front of the boom and secured to a cleat in the mast slot under the boom).

Edited by - dmpilc on 06/28/2009 16:20:31

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