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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Question About Furling Jib Halyard

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Midships
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/08/2011 : 15:50:30

I just bought this beautiful Catalina 250. The previous owner took great care of her. The only big problem with the boat is that the furling jib halyard line was cut about 20 feet short. So, the halyard line doesn't go through the mast. What is the easiest way to fix this? Do I have to step the mast? If I have a cherry picker, could I use a messenger line to fix this? Someone Help.

Catalina 250 2001.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2011 : 19:29:20

If I understand your description correctly, that halyard is designed to be short. The previous owner should have attached a messenger line to it before lowering the jib.

If you have access to a cherry picker, then I think attaching a messenger is the next action. You could also drop the mast, which would enable you to make some other important inspections. If you have a trailer with the mast dropping attachment, this is straightforward. If not, you should search this forum for gin poles to help you do this.

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Midships
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2011 : 16:24:58

So, I'm new to all of this. How would I rig the messenger line. I'm a trained and licensed Third Mate, so I know about knots and lines and sheets, but not about rigging sailboats. Any diagrams or whatever would be useful.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2011 : 18:13:59

Lets begin at the beginning. What type of furler do you have? If it is a CDI the jib halyard doesnot go into the mast and there should be a another jib halyard that goes through the mast and back to the cockpit. If it is a snapfurl, and the halyard is to short then someone cut it and you will probably have to lower the mast to string a new one.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 05:18:46

I agree with Frog if you have the CDI, you probably don't need that halyard. I haven't used mine in 10 years. Irregardless I see your from New york and your boat probably has to be hauled out later this year. Why not wait if you don't need that halyard now. JMTCW

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 06:55:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bear
 I agree with Frog if you have the CDI, you probably don't need that halyard. I haven't used mine in 10 years. Irregardless I see your from New york and your boat probably has to be hauled out later this year. Why not wait if you don't need that halyard now. JMTCW
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
OP said, "furling jib halyard line was cut about 20 feet short." My read of this is that he was referring to the halyard that comes with the CDI furler, which is, in fact, 20 feet short unless you attach a messenger line. I don't think he was referring to the unnecessary jib halyard that goes to the masthead.

Obviously he needs to clarify which halyard he was referring to.

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Midships
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 07:08:15

Sorry for the lack of specificity. I'll call previous owner and get info. I purchased the boat but have not moved it to my locale yet. Thanks for all the help thus far.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 07:38:53

I understand the issue. I scratched my head over it for a long time. I think the reason for its (lack of) length, is to eliminate excess line at the furling drum once the sail is hoisted. At least that's what I keep telling myself every spring. The solution is to attach a "messenger line" as mentioned above. It's a length of line attached to the end of the line in question that is long enough for you to reach. Take it off when the line is no longer needed. Nothing more than that. Just don't forget to put it back on before removing the headsail.

By the way. Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new toy. Most of us post our boat type and sailing location/hometown in our signature blocks. It can help when asking questions.

Edited by - John Russell on 07/10/2011 07:39:42

britinusa
Web Editor

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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 08:16:59

There are three lines to consider a CDI furler
<ul><li>Gib Halyard
<ul>
<li>The end that comes out of the top of the furler is actually the bottom of the halyard.</li>
<li>The end that is inside the groove of the furler extrusion attaches to the head of the sail.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Furling Line
<ul>
<li>It is attached to the drum inside the furler base unit.</li>
<li>It should be wound onto the furler drum when the sail is deployed</li>
<li>It should be unwound when the sail is fully furled (perhaps a single turn left on the drum)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Messenger
<ul>
<li>This line is used to pull the end of the haylard down to the drum housing when you are attaching the sail and raising it.</li>
<li>Initially when the mast is down, tie the messenger to the end of the halyard that comes out of the top of the furler (not the end of the halyard that has the metal swag that keeps it inside the groove of the furler extrusion)</li>
<li>So when the mast is up, and the headsail is not on the furler, then the messenger line should be tied to the shackle that is on the top of the furler drum housing and the other end of the messenger should be attached to the end of the furler halyard that is at the top of the mast (and the end of the halyard that will be attached to the head of the sail should also be tied to a shackle on the top of the furler drum housing)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

The good news is that once you get the sail on the furler, and stow the messenger in a safe place, you'll find that this process is a breeze. Just remember to always tie the messenger to the free end of the halyard before you lower the sail for removal and always remove it after raising the sail.

Personally, as we trail the boat from home to ramp and back every trip, I make it easy and leave the messenger attached to the halyard until the sail is hoisted on the furler then remove it. And when I am ready to lower the sail, I always tie on the messenger to the halyard just so that I can put the sail backup without having to lower the mast (I always have this nagging that if the engine failed and the sail was off the furler then I might just need to rehoist the sail)

I wouldn't worry about it till you have easy access to the boat then you'll see that it's not a big deal and easy.

Paul

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 12:25:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">So, the halyard line doesn't go through the mast.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think this statement was the item that had us slightly confused.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 13:19:24

AAAAHHHHH the light just came on. No, the halyard does not go through the mast for a CDI furler. The "Jib Halyard" that goes through the mast becomes redundant. I use it to wrap my headsail after I furl it and am in the slip.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 14:55:36

John, have you been able to talk to PO? Have you determined what furling system you have? [url="http://www.sailcdi.com/sailpdf/FF2%20manual%207_06.pdf"]CDI[/url] vs [url="http://www.furling.com/snapfurl.html"]Schaefer SnapFurl[/url]? Snapfurl has an open cage design whereas CDI does not. Each system has a couple of different models but if you click on the links I have provided, you will be able to determine what you have and how to service the unit.
I have a 2003 WK with a SnapFurl CF500. Keep us posted.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 07/13/2011 15:25:38

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