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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Main sail clew eye too big

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Delilah
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/02/2010 : 21:27:10

I have been round and round finding an affordable main to replace my blow out. Been almost a month....Finally found one on ebay and got it for a decent price. The dimensions were such that I thought it might have come from a C25.
I have two problems now:
1) The SS pin that went through the boom end fitting pinning the clew in place was frozen. I soaked it in PB Blaster, WD etc. Lightly tapping it every so often. Even got the torch out and heated it up. Took the fitting off the boom and brought home(with sail still attached) and worked on it. I finally see some movement and then one of the two tabs that the pin goes through popped off! I dont want to force the pin through the other tab and risk it breaking. I figure I can rig something so that I can at least raise the main and sail....
2) Now that I have the boom end seperated from the ripped sail I take it over to my "new" sail and the SS clew eye is to thick to go between the two tabs(if I hadnt broken the one off). So that I cant get the sail in to get the pin through.....
Has anyone experience with this? Man I dont really want to have to take the sail to the repair shop and have them hack away on it....I already have to buy a new boom end...eventually. And the new end is going to be to small(or the clew eye to big) for it.

Used sail buyers beware of this!

Thanks!

Andy
_________________________
"Leela"
1982 FK/SR #3321
Jacksonville, Florida

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2010 : 06:58:43

Hi Andy,
Here's a link to the C25 parts manual. Your boom should look like this.
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/manbro/pictures/pc16.gif
And here's a link to a tech tips page that shows the end of my boom on Snickerdoodle and the clew outhaul and flattening reef.
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/sdflatreef.asp
Maybe these'll help
Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Delilah
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2010 : 08:41:11

Thanks Bill.
I need to put some of that in place as all that is there now is a ratty old line going from clew to shackle point at end of boom. No purchases at all.
In my haste at midnight last night I had grabbed the clew end instead of the foot end. When I had the proper end in my hand there is a SS loop webbed to the eye in the sail for securing to the boom fitting!

Heading to the boat now to see if all fits now!

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2010 : 14:56:28

Let's start by getting the terms straight so we all know what each other is saying... The clew is the grommet at the aft end of the foot of the sail and is secured to the boom-end (aft end) fitting by the out-haul. The tack is at the forward corner of the sail and is held by the tack pin on the gooseneck. The out-haul pulls the clew to tension the foot.

For your "fat" tack (I presume) grommet, would it work to "gently" hammer it flatter? Might as well try...

However, if I understand what happened, it sounds like you need a new gooseneck casting from Catalina Direct--you need the "tabs" on both sides to hold the pin.

Is this it?

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/05/2010 10:24:06

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2010 : 10:02:39

Whack it... whack that Grommet flat. You might also be able to cut that gooseneck opening and then be able to leave the grommet unaltered on the sail. I imagine the goosenect is cast aluminum and probably cuts like butter with a masonry blade in a drill. Tie the sail tack grommet to the gooseneck.

IMHO

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2010 : 10:27:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 Whack it... whack that Grommet flat. ...Tie the sail tack grommet to the gooseneck.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">If you tie it down, you don't need to "whack" it. But you do need to tie it so that it is pulled forward as well as downward, to keep the lower slugs from popping out, and in such a way that the line doesn't chafe on the gooseneck as the boom moves side-to-side.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/05/2010 10:30:11

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2010 : 17:00:07

Use a reef or tack hook - they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and attach to the boom or or gooseneck.

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2010 : 10:58:55

If you are indeed talking about the TACK of the sail and the gooseneck fitting - when you replace the fitting on the boom (part available at Catalina Direct), place a clevis pin thru the holes and around the pin put a shackle. There are shackles with a twist that would align around the pin and cringle. It may not be optimum for your sail but should work. If you are really talking about the clew, and the end fitting is broken, just replace it (also at CD) so that you can put in a purchase to tighten the foot of the sail. Should be no problem. Getting those fittings off the boom can be a bear tho. One way is to saw off the screw heads and use a nail punch to get the threads out. Then drill and tap a slightly larger hole for the replacement.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2010 : 13:29:21

To get sailing again, just take some line and tie the tack onto the gooseneck being careful to provide both up and down purchase and forward purchase. You can go a long long time this way. May not look perfect but won't effect your sailing in any way.

Edited by - on

Delilah
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2010 : 19:19:03

Thanks everyone for the input and suggestions.

Like I said in the middle of the night I had grabbed the clew instead of the tack. I should have waited until morning to see things with fresh eyes! I just wanted to be able to raise her the next day!

Long story short the tack did have a ring webbed to the big grommet so I can attach to the boom end fitting(which did break in removing the frozen pin). I will have to order the above shown part from CD.

The "new" sail I got is in great shape! And a great deal! I have ordered new slugs as the ones that were on the sail were too big for the Cat's slot but I figured that would happen. The new slugs should be here tomorrow and saturday it will be off and sailing.

Now people will look at that blue 25 that for the last month has been sailing with only a jib and see she has a main too!

Thanks

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.