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Quick question re?: boom end blocks

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mikesuej
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USA
119 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/08/2011 : 14:03:29

OK, I got my new spacers and Harken 160s to repair my reefing problem. On the aft-end of the boom there is a small sheave starboard that goes to topping lift, then a stainless "tang" or strap, then a spacer, then the larger sheave that goes to reefing line.

All works nice and loose now, but the question I have is what is that stainless steel tang or strap with the hole in it for? I assume that goes to a pigtail. There is a "U" shackle on it that really seems to foul up the reefing line and topping lift.

Rythmdoctor has posted a nice pick showing the metal strap about 3/4 down the page here
http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21693

Thanks so much for enlightening me on this.

Michael T. Janocik
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Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 03/08/2011 : 14:31:59

One guy on here uses it to increase the purchase of his outhaul. IIRC, he attaches a block to the foot of his sail (where I have my outhaul attached), and attaches the outhaul shackle to the stainless tang that you mention. He posted a picture of it sometime last year, but I cannot find it right now.

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John Russell
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Response Posted - 03/08/2011 : 15:59:49

Unless I'm misundertanding (always possible, often likely) that's the line for your outhaul. The other end should exit the boom on the port side about 1/3 back from the mast.

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mikesuej
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Response Posted - 03/08/2011 : 16:11:39

I get that, I think. . . so the outhaul line comes out of the aft end of boom, then goes through/around the clew cringle, then connects to the metal tang pc that is between the two aft end boom sheeves?

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Tom Potter
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Response Posted - 03/08/2011 : 16:30:56

Mike,
That "tang" is part of the pigtail connection. The "Snap hook" on the pig tale cable located on the back stay hooked to the "U" shackle on the "tang". There was no topping lift on the boat when I bought it, only that pigtail. I added the topping lift and left the pigtail as a back up. You could (if you want) get by without it.

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TakeFive
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Response Posted - 03/08/2011 : 20:53:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mikesuej
 I get that, I think. . . so the outhaul line comes out of the aft end of boom, then goes through/around the clew cringle, then connects to the metal tang pc that is between the two aft end boom sheeves?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I finally had some time to search for that picture that showed the arrangement. It was posted by frog0911 last July in this thread:

http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21917

Here's the pic:

<center>

</center>

I considered doing this, but I'm not that finicky about performance (yet) that I would want that much tension on my outhaul. Also note that the wear against the block has apparently worn away the vinyl coating on the outhaul cable.

But if you really want to do something with that tang (which appears to be unused on most newer boats with topping lifts instead of pigtails), it is one option. Personally, I'd like to see someone rig a drink holder to it - or a jump seat! (yeah, that's the ticket!

)

Edited by - TakeFive on 03/08/2011 20:55:43

mikesuej
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119 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2011 : 01:56:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tom Potter
 Mike,
That "tang" is part of the pigtail connection. The "Snap hook" on the pig tale cable located on the back stay hooked to the "U" shackle on the "tang". There was no topping lift on the boat when I bought it, only that pigtail. I added the topping lift and left the pigtail as a back up. You could (if you want) get by without it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hello Tom,

That's what I used it for, but I was having some trouble with reefing and I learned those boom spacers needed replacing as did that little plastic pin and did some maintenance on the boom. Now looking at it, it seems the tang and u-shackle could get in the way and foul the reefing and topping lift lines. Do you know if you included enough topping lift line to make it all the way through the front end of the boom and out? I'm thinking of running all the lines aft.

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mikesuej
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119 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2011 : 02:01:48

But if you really want to do something with that tang (which appears to be unused on most newer boats with topping lifts instead of pigtails), it is one option. Personally, I'd like to see someone rig a drink holder to it - or a jump seat! (yeah, that's the ticket!

)
[/quote]

Rythmdoctor,

Thanks - I saw this too. I am not that finicky either and I think if I removed teh tang, I would have enough room to put in the thicker sheave and run a good topping lift - but I'm not sure if there is enough topping lift line now installed to make it all the way down the boom and around the forward sheave. Is there any objection of sheep shanking another line to the existing Topping Lift line witin the boom instead of dropping or climbing the mast to attach a longer topping lift? I would assure I splice the line way ahead of the outhaul internal block so they don't interfere with each other inside the boom.

Edited by - on

John Russell
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Response Posted - 03/09/2011 : 08:07:59

I don't think you need a a thicker topping lift. It doesn't really do a lot of work. If it ain't broke......

Edited by - John Russell on 03/09/2011 08:08:17

vholmstrom
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 03/10/2011 : 14:00:05

My boat came with a halyard style topping lift. The lift runs from the back of the boom to a block at the top of the mast, down through the mast where it exits near where the jib halyard exits. It then runs through a block at the base of the mast through a deck organizer to one of the clutches on the port side. The topping lift is only 1/4" (6mm) diameter.

The 3 sheaves at the back end of the boom are for reef 1 clew, reef 2 clew, and the outhaul. All are 5/8" (8mm) diameter and exit the front of the boom, pass through blocks at the base of the mast, through deck organizers, to clutches on the cabin top. Since the outhaul ends at a clutch that is in line with the starboard winch, I haven't needed additional purchase for it. My boat came rigged that way from Catalina, with the exception of the deck organizers, blocks and clutches I added to allow for cockpit reefing and control lines.

Edited by - vholmstrom on 03/10/2011 14:04:59

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