Association Forum - Boom Positioning for Newbies-redux

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Boom Positioning for Newbies-redux

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 05:20:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dflynnatc
 Steve, what is the purpose of having an adjustable topping lift?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Nevertheless, I added an adjustable topping lift later.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Once you have decided to add a topping lift, it's easy to rig it so that it's adjustable, rather than fixed. If it's adjustable, it's easier to use in different ways. For example, when I'm not sailing, the topping lift is adjusted higher, to carry the boom higher, giving more head clearance. When the mainsail is raised, the tropping lift is eased alot, so it doesn't interfere with the shape of the main sail.

The pigtail is basically an un-adjustable topping lift. It'll keep the boom from falling into the cockpit when you lower the mainsail, but it's lack of adjustability and other relatively minor drawbacks simply make it inconvenient to use. An adjustable topping lift makes it easier to handle the mainsail.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 06:10:52

I agree with steve - I the 2 holes in the end of the boom are for:

1: (Closest to end of boom) a shackle for the topping lift.
2: (forward hole of the 2) A second shackle for the outhaul.

I put an oversized shackle on for the topping lift. This allows me to use the same shackle for both the pigtail and the topping lift. For the rope topping lift, I tied a loop in the line using an adjustable grip hitch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustable_grip_hitch which allows me to adjust the height of the end of the boom in the harbour, and to release tension on the topping lift while sailing. Of course I now have the boom set to a height that is amenable to both sitting at the dock and being held up by the sail when out on the water, so I rarely adjust the knot anymore.

For our outhaul, we have a 4:1 purchase on it, and it seems to work OK, but I could have really used more power this past weekend trying to adjust the belly of the sail in winds in the high 20's. Finally I just gave up and let it do what it wanted.

Edit to Add: Our pigtail has now been relegated to a new role as MOB Pole cap holder, and performs very well in that capacity. We have a small length of small stuff with a bowline in the end. The pigtail clips into the bowline, and the pole sits perched on th etransom patiently waiting to not be used. In a handful of test deployments, the pigtail has jerked the pole back toward the boat releasing the cap and unfurling the flag. seems to work well. Haven't had the need to try it under true conditions yet.

Edited by - Prospector on 06/08/2010 06:15:33

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 07:05:58

Incidentally, I recall my pigtail (on the original backstay I replaced) seemed too long, and only functioned reasonably by wrapping it under the boom and clipping it to itself. A PO had added a fixed topping lift when I bought the boat--I made it adjustable with a couple of blocks, copying Jim Baumgart's setup (from a time he took me out in San Diego). One of the blocks had a V-jam built in. I put a stopper-knot at the length that left the lift barely slack with the sail up, so all I had to do was release it, and it would still hold the boom at a decent height for dousing the main. I quick pull would raise the boom for such things as folding the bimini.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/08/2010 07:07:33

limey156
1st Mate

Members Avatar

89 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 08:21:48

dflynnatc, off topic on boom positinioning, but to answer your question on fuel consumption:

I have the 9.9 HP honda outboard, elec. start w/alternator to charge my 2 batteries.

while bringing my boat home, i motored for 7 hours at ~6 knots, from Solomons to the middle of the bay by Annapolis before i totally consumed my 5.2ish gallon fuel tank. then i refilled it with another 5 gal i had on board, and ended up sailing mostly from there to home at bodkin creek. when we motored from bodkin to rock hall and back, we probably used 3.5-4 gallons i would estimate, judging by the amount my dad told me it took to refill.

I have to finish setting up my topping lift on my boat, but it is a line fixed at the masthead, and then basically to a cleat on the boom where it is adjusted. something like that.

Edited by - on

dflynnatc
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
65 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 09:08:52

That is helpful info. I have a 9.9 Yamaha. Hopefully the consumption rates are similar. <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by limey156
 i motored for 7 hours at ~6 knots, from Solomons to the middle of the bay by Annapolis before i totally consumed my 5.2ish gallon fuel tank. then i refilled it with another 5 gal i had on board, and ended up sailing mostly from there to home at bodkin creek. when we motored from bodkin to rock hall and back, we probably used 3.5-4 gallons i would estimate, judging by the amount my dad told me it took to refill.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 10:22:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dflynnatc
 That is helpful info. I have a 9.9 Yamaha. Hopefully the consumption rates are similar.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It should if it's a 4-stroke (as all Hondas are). If it's a 2-stroke, consumption will be higher.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 10:51:11

...And with a 2-stroke we regularly cross our lake (17 Miles, no current) and come back again on a single tank.

Edited by - on

dflynnatc
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
65 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 17:41:03

Wow... I wouldn't have figured you could get that range. And, Yep....Yamaha 4 stroke. Tangential shift here...... As I said at the outset weather was a bit "agressive"; Limey156 called it Sporty. Short story endless, the later model gas tank was down in the dumpster by the end of the trip. It appears the shelf was for those older metal tanks - and you can actually see the rust ring where it was- any standard answers to solve this? Shock cord and some eyelets?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 19:30:52

Since our boat is a little newer than yours, we have the gas locker built into teh cockpit rather than in the dumpster. Because we are suckers we have 3 gas cans, all teh same siaze. 2 are the older metal cans you speak of, and one is a newfangles plastic one. We can fit 1 gas can, a couple quarts of 2-stroke oil, adn a can of carb cleaner into the fuel locker.

A second gas can fits in the rear of the cockpit, and the plastic one goes behind it standing on end. We have never gotten to the third can, but we thought we might on last summer's extended cruise.

I forgot to mention above, we believe our outboard is original to the boat - 1984 - Evinrude 9.9 HP 2 stroke with alternator (not hooked up) and electric start (not hooked up). We rarely exceed 5.5 knots under power, however last summer we needed to get home in a hurry from Georgian Bay and travelled from Sans Souci to Jackson's Point in two 14 hour days of straight motoring, and burned less than 3 cans of gas, IIRC.

Edited by - Prospector on 06/08/2010 19:32:19

limey156
1st Mate

Members Avatar

89 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 19:59:38

dflynnatc, My gas can is red plastic, on the shelf in the dumpster, and secured by a strap. i guess i have some mounting rod or bracket under the can which the strap goes around too, but it is pretty secure in there. i removed my gas can and put it on the cockpit bench to refill it when i ran out on the way home, to prevent fumes/spills going into the dumpster, and i almost dropped the damned thing back in after filling it before i could put the top back on! it started to tip in and i barely caught it. what a mess that would have been.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 21:03:22

Dennis--that's bad news... If the vent is open and it falls off the shelf, you'll likely have gasoline in the bilge--not the place for it to be! I'd make it a priority to add something to secure the tank. Until I did, I'd keep the tank by the transom in the cockpit--not that much of an obstruction. (I appreciated the cockpit fuel locker in my '85--possibly Catalina's best single improvement to the C-25.)

Edited by - on

dflynnatc
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
65 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2010 : 03:58:48

Full disclosure: Only my ineptness at reading the (aged) vent accurately had the vent -closed- as it laid cattywampus. Odd thing is that is the fourth time I have motored with this boat/motor and each time I "vented" it the same. No apparent harm when motor running although the tank had a bit of a vacuum effect this time. Now I know why I smelled gas when I returned after a week with the vent "closed". That led me to remove the tank from boat between visits.

Another tangential question: Do most leave tank on board? I assume so if it is tethered correctly?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2010 : 05:41:49

I always leave it on board, otherwise it would be hard for someone in my club to move the boat to the other dock if it was in trouble. Boat thieves have been kind to OBs and gas cans in our marina. They just smash and grab for tools, electronics, and booze.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2010 : 10:59:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dflynnatc
 Wow... I wouldn't have figured you could get that range. And, Yep....Yamaha 4 stroke. Tangential shift here...... As I said at the outset weather was a bit "agressive"; Limey156 called it Sporty. Short story endless, the later model gas tank was down in the dumpster by the end of the trip. It appears the shelf was for those older metal tanks - and you can actually see the rust ring where it was- any standard answers to solve this? Shock cord and some eyelets?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Simple to do Dennis. Buy some 1" webbing and a cam buckle from Sailrite and two flat strap eyes from your local hardware store. Cut the webbing into two pieces. Sew loops in three of the ends. Use two to attach to the mounting strap eyes and one to attach to the cam buckle. Then STRAP THAT SUCKER DOWN ! NOT a good idea for it to fall into the dumpster.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2010 : 12:07:42

Portable tanks are required to be secured. I bought everything I needed to secure my tanks at a local hardware store: two pieces to make adjustable loops for the male and female locking clips, webbing, and eye straps. It feels better to know that the cans aren't bouncing around in the fuel locker. The P.O. drilled through the aft wall of the dumpster and the lip of the fuel locker lid and mounted a barrel bolt in the dumpster so the fuel locker can be securely locked when unattended.

edit:

You will get dramatically better fuel economy if you back off to 4.5 - 5 kt. I usually burn 1 - 1.5 qt. per hour.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 06/09/2010 12:15:43

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3476 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2010 : 13:12:00

<>

Lift the boom for headroom when at anchor. I'm hoping to add one to mine this month while she is on the hard.

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.