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Catalina 25 tall rig sails for racing

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u20sailor
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/22/2009 : 21:05:21

I recently bought a Catalina 25 Tall rig,fin keel. That I plan to start racing this spring. I want to buy a new set of racing sails,, but I don't have a clue as to who is making good, fast sails, for the class. if like most classes there is usually a couple of sail makers who are more involved and have spent a little time on sail development?.

Thanks in advance for your replies

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5897 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2009 : 22:22:02

For racing sails, North sails are hard to beat. I had a set of North dacron sails with racing cut and options, and they were blazing fast.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 09:02:51

Spend a year on the cheap, then buy. You could start with these.

"We also just bought a roller furler, and have 3 headsails to get rid of: 110, 150, and a 170 drifter - all for 25' TR. These sails are all in good to really good condition, and depending on what they end up being worth (I am also trying to figure out), we may just decide to donate them to a good cause.

Helen Rock
RockReation
79 C25 TR/FK #1207
Go to Top of Page"

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 12:10:05

E-mail Derek Crawford (you can find him in the Members list and use the "Send e-mail" function) about the high-aspect main he had made. In a recent post in the "Rate your season" thread, he described winning every regatta this past season. Maybe he'll chime in here...

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 12:35:52

Ulman has a good reputation, especially with Catalina's. I have an Ulman full batten, loose foot dacron main from Ulman Ventura. I had a flatten reef and 2nd reef added (already has 1st reef and cunningham). This sail, standard rig, cost $1150 more or less. I have about 300 days sailing on it and it still has good shape and just a little stretching in the lower 1/3. Winner of 2009 Newport - San Diego Double handed (2nd in class to a Capri 25). If you are sticking with a dacron main, no question, go with Ulman Ventura (which supplies Catalina Direct).

Right now I am flying used mylar/laminate jibs from a Merit 25. If I could afford a new racing jib I'd probably go with the local Ulman loft. I don't think my level of club racing justifies a 3D carbon fiber sail.

The Catalina 25 does not point as well as more high end racers. But off the wind we can clean up. Put your money into a good spinnaker, pole, and get plenty of crew practice.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 16:42:13

I always buy from John Bartlette in Austin, Texas. He is a little more expensive but worth every extra dollar.
He did comparison sailing on J-24's with various design mains and came up with a much larger roach as the most efficient.
I bought a loose-footed, full battened main (dacron) with super hi-tech sail slugs (if you have mast gates they have to be ground down)
I think I paid $1000 for it.
John is a hard core racer. Gold medalist with Jeff Forster in J-24's at the Pan-Am games in Rio.
He's at Bartlette Sails, 512-266-1895 or bartsail at austin.rr.com.
P.S. I don't get a commission...

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2009 : 10:04:59

I agree with Jim. A set of good quality dacron sails with a few added accessories like a loose foot, full battens, flattening reef, increased roach, etc are plenty good for racing. Your best bet to win in corrected time is a spinnaker and pole or an asymetric spinnaker.

I'm sure Derek, and anyone else who has raced for a while will agree, you win regattas by sailing to your boats rating. You do that with practice, knowing what it takes to make your boat sail fast in all conditions, and sailing consistantly. You can buy expensive racing sales but if you don't meet the above criteria you've wasted your time and money.

Of course, if you really want to spend the money.............

Edited by - aeckhart on 11/24/2009 10:16:25

u20sailor
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2009 : 21:54:15

Thanks for all your replies. I am not in a big hurry to buy new sails, and I would consider buying a "newer" set of used sails (mine are original 1982 sails) that you can almost see thru. anyone with used sails, let me know what you have,,, year, condition,,, etc. I can be reached directly at stieber2@msn.com

Helen,,I would like to hear more about your head sails.

I am also going to do a bottom job on the boat this winter, (the previous owner did not use the boat very much),,, I was seriously thinking of naming the boat "Chea-pet" due to the condition of the bottom. I would like to get everyone's two cents here. what I am thinking of using is, Interlux's Perfection, with a VC17 bottom.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2009 : 09:17:30

Perfection for the topsides? Conventional wisdom is do not paint (except the bottom) unless the gelcoat has totally worn away. Gelcoat can be restored from pretty grim condition--you can Search for the many threads on that here. Paint is the "gift" that never stops "giving"--chips, peels, etc...

Edited by - on

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2009 : 09:32:00

I have to agree with Dave. Painting is the final option. That said, I have painted two boats, hull and deck, with Interlux Brightsides one part. I have been totally satisfied with the hull and fairly satisfied with the deck and cockpit area. I think that the failing there was largely mine. Lack of patience, I hate painting. The first boat that I did was in 1982, and I sold it in 1989 still looking good. This paint job is a little over 4 years old. I promised myself last year that I would re-do the deck and cockpit, but I let myself down. Maybe next year. But just last week I got a compliment on my shiny hull.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2009 : 10:23:20

Since we are talking about sails and tall rigs does anyone know the size for battens for a tall rig main? I was thinking of ordering online from west marine as they are having a 15% off sale today if you enter in the code BIG15 for online orders. They have tapered, non tapered etc. The ones I ordered from CD that subsequently fell out. Those I had to cut and they didn't seem to be tapered.

EDIT. So the CD ones are less expensive anyways. I'll go through them but I leave the post up in case anyone wants to use that code.

Set of four battens laminated from fiberglass. Each batten is 5/8" wide X .120 thick. Batten length is as follows:
2 @ 37"
1 @ 26.5"
1 @ 22

Fits all years, trim to correct length as needed with a hacksaw and smooth with a file or sandpaper.

Edited by - PCP777 on 11/25/2009 10:26:05

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5897 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2009 : 17:36:48

The size of sail battens isn't standardized. They are whatever size the sailmaker prescribes for his product. Some sails have full-length battens that extend from luff to leech, and others have short battens. Most sailmakers allow the buyer to choose between short or full-length battens.

Edited by - on

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