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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Help needed by newbie

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carmelocataudella
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/04/2009 : 09:07:36

So I bought my C25 in the beginning of the summer, sailed it all summer and like it very much. Now its time to put it away for the winter and I need to take apart some of the rigging before the boatyard will haul it out. I guess take off the mainsail, furling jib and boom.
They can do it for me but they want quite alot of money to do it. Is there anyone near Huntington, NY (Coneys Marine) that is willing to help a fellow C25 owner take it apart and teach me how to do it? I really have no idea where to start but am sure it will all make sense if there was a seasoned sailor there to lend a hand. I would do ALL the heavy lifting so I really am just looking for a kindhearted soul to be there with me and tell/show me how to do it.
Of course, any and all help is much appreciated.

carmelo
84 catalina 25 fk/sr
"cyndy sue 2"
smithtown, ny

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2009 : 11:01:38

Carmelo,

Unfortunately, I have the time but am no where close to Long Island. But, I'd guess that somebody here might be. Maybe, there's somebody in your marina but not sailing a C25 that might be able to help. The process will be about the same regardless of boat type.

If not, you probably can remove the sails and boom pretty easily if you just take your time and don't force anything. First, you want to do it on a colm day if possible. You'll need to unfurl the headsail and slide the luff out of the furler. Be careful to attach a messenger line to the furling halyard before you start to pull down the sail. Make it long enough to reach from the drum to the masthead. You'll be grateful in the spring. Then, carefully fold the sail and put it in a sailbag. It's best to fanfold the sail and try to avoid creasing it.

Next, take off the mainsail. There will likely be a "gate" on the mast at the base of the sail. Close to where the boom and mast intersect. You'll need to remove that gate. Careful you don't lose the screws or the gate to neptune. Then, simply slide the sail off the mast. I'll assume that you have slugs sliding in the mast track. They'll simply come out the gate as it comes off. Be careful to secure the main halyard so that it doesn't end up at the top of the mast with no easy way to retrieve it. I disconnect the halyard shackle and secure it on a mast plate at the base of the mast. You may or may not have a mast plate that will work but, be sure to secure it somewhere. (I'm assuming here that you are not intending to take the mast down for winter storage.) Then, disconnect the clew and outhaul from the foot of the mainsail. Slide the sail forward along the boom and, voila, the mains'l is off the boom. Fold it and secure it.

That just leaves the boom. It is secured to the mast with a clevis pin or shackle. Be careful here, remove that pin and the boom will be off the mast amybe smacking you in the head or foot or dropping on your gelcoat. Since I don't know what lines you might have going through the boom (I have an outhaul, topping lift and jiffy reef line in mine) you'll have to be sure they are free to travel with the boom. That is, take them out of the clutches/blocks/cleats, or whatever else they might be attached to befroe releasing the boom but <b>DO NOT</b> pull the lines out of the boom. In fact, be sure to have stopper knots in the ends of the lines so that they don't come out accidentally. If you want to replace those lines, that's another lesson.

Unless you intend to remove the mast for storage, leave the standing rigging alone. If you do, research "Lowering the mast" on this site. It's not difficult but it can be dangerous and intimidating the first time. You'll need some equipment and friends to make it happen.

Good luck.

Edited by - on

mlg3733
Navigator

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118 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2009 : 11:30:37

Carmelo,
I'd be happy to come and lend you a hand. I do live in Upper Westchester county and work days and evenings as well as weekends however, so am limited to Monday or Tuesday. Let me know if either would work for you.
Michel

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2009 : 18:13:24

Carmelo
I did the minimum to get <i>Passage</i> ready for winter.

I left the mast up with the furler.

I removed the sails.

I covered the boat with a pair of tarps: one over the boom with a piece of 1x2 lumber strapped to it to extend the tent all the way to the transom (about 3 more feet) and one over the bow with a 1 x 2 between the mast and the bow pulpit.

I draped the tarps over the lifelines and tied them underneath the bottom of boat with string.

I cut slots in the tarps to fit around the shrouds.

I installed eyelets in the tarps to tie the forward tarp to the aft tarp.

The tarps keep most of the snow off the cabintop and out of the cockpit.

I remove almost all of the content of the boat, all the cushions, all food, all drinks (except instant coffee and water bottles).

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2009 : 17:01:22

Carmelo - would love to help, how is this Sat afternoon?

Edited by - on

carmelocataudella
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2009 : 13:48:14

Someone that saw this post and had a boat in the same harbor helped me get it all taken apart.

Thanks for all the replies and I appreciate all the offers for help.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2009 : 14:40:28

Wow, Sorry but somehow I missed this thread. If you need a hand in the future just yell. Huntington is just 1/2 hr for me. It would be no problem.

Edited by - islander on 11/10/2009 14:57:28

Captain Bill
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2009 : 16:10:49

Try this video for lowering the mast. Lots of help on this forum and welcome.
Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r33VCObNroY

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.