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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

raising the main sail- first sail

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T8BECKHAM
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/27/2011 : 21:02:08

I picked up a 1980 C-25 back in March. After allot of work, I sailed her today for the first time. In my haste to raise the mast I really didnt check the mast head sheaves, main & jib. I have been working on every thing but, the mast, with the running rigging, has been in tact since I bought it. My main sail is an old blown out C-25 sail and it had slugs. As we raised the sail, it got to a point that the slugs were binding and it felt impossible to go any further. We took the slugs off and ran the bolt rope up the mast. Is was better but really tough. we used the winch. when runing the two ends of the main haylard up and down, it seems hard to do. Do you think the problem is in my mast head sheaves, mast groove or the old main sail +- slugs.

thanks for the advice-

Tate Beckham
C-25 1690
Birmingham, AL

Edited by - on

NCBrew
Captain

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USA
338 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 04:51:49

Try tying another line to the end of the mainsail halyard and see if you can run it up and down without any trouble. Have someone put a little tension on the line. That will test the sheave at the top of the mast.
Then tie one slug to the halyard and run that up and down in the grove. There is a lube for the slugs.

Edited by - NCBrew on 07/28/2011 04:55:12

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 05:45:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by T8BECKHAM
 We took the slugs off and ran the bolt rope up the mast. Is was better but really tough. we used the winch. when runing the two ends of the main haylard up and down, it seems hard to do. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Tate,

You did not say if the halyard was all rope, or wire with a rope tail. Older Cat25's had a wire halyard with a rope tail, and I split several sheeves with the wire, and also had the wire jump off the sheeves and jam. All rope halyards will also wear sheeves, but not as much. The white plastic Delrin sheeves for rope halyards are wider have a tendancy to crack when they are older. Be sure the sheeves are the right width and type for the size halyards you are using. Wire halyards are usually narrower, and rope uses a wider sheeve throat. Do not use wire on the Delrin sheeves, the wire cuts into it too easily!

Sounds like you tried it again with only the halyard and was still hard. I would NOT use the winch in case it jams really hard up there!!!

After addressing the halyard sheeves, use something like WD40 to clean the slugs and the mast groove. I use a spray silicone lube then to lubricate them (but be careful of getting the spray on the sailcloth!)

Sounds like you really do need to inspect the sheeves and probably relace them (if one is bad, they both should be replaced!)

Congrats on the boat! You will have fun with her!

Chuck

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 05:53:47

Get a can of dry lubricant spray. I think it's spray on PTFE (Teflon?). You can buy it at West Marine for $15-$16 can or at Home Depot for $4-$5, you choose. Spray the slugs well and spray as far up the track as you can. Hoist away, lower and repeat a couple of times.

Whatever you do, don't use a spray like WD-40 unless you really like the look of oil stains on your sails.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 07:30:18

If it was tough with nothing in the groove and nothing is fouled, then you need to drop the mast and check the masthead. There are numerous threads on A-frames and other techniques to drop the mast - it is intimidating the first time but really quick and easy. Search for threads on lowering the mast and A-frames. The slot is probably the problem if the halyard runs free with just a recovery line attached. Soak a small rag in Sailkote or similar dry lube, stuff part of it into the slot at the slug loading gate and run it up and down as far as you can reach, then tie it securely with 1/8" line and use the halyard to run it up and down 5' - 10' at a time with periodic re-soaking to clean and lube all the way to the masthead. The sail must go up easily and drop by its own weight.

Edited by - on

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 07:55:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Whatever you do, don't use a spray like WD-40 unless you really like the look of oil stains on your sails.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

John,

You are right if you use too much and it gets away from you. WD40 is not a lubricant, its a solvent and waterproofing agent (even though it contains a lot of fish oil). I use it and have not had any issues with it getting on my sails, but maybe I am just really careful??? (which is, alas, not usually the case when I do things...)

I did have a bad staining experience with the silicone spray I got at Home Depot. It left a whiteish coating on everything, and then it attracted dirt. Looked fine initially, but afterwards was a pain. They used to sell a silicone spray that was clear, and that worked well, but did not last very long. With either of them do not get it on your decks! Makes them REALLY slippery! Might be interesting to hear what others have used and their experiences (maybe in a different thread?)

Cheers!

Chuck

Edited by - cshaw on 07/28/2011 07:56:53

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 08:37:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cshaw
 ...WD40 is not a lubricant, its a solvent and waterproofing agent (even though it contains a lot of fish oil)...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Hate to say it, Chuck, but you've been taken in by another urban legend. It's petroleum-based oil, solvents to thin the oil (to help it displace water), and additional aromatic thinners and CO2 in the aerosol version. Check the [url="http://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf"]MSDS[/url]. The solvents eventually evaporate, leaving a thin film of petroleum oil.

I use Superlube and Sailcote, both of which I believe are PTFE (Teflon) lubricants. Both become dry almost immediately, and do not stain or attract dirt in my experience. I love WD-40, including as a lubricant in some cases, but not for my boats.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/28/2011 08:44:51

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 08:49:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 Hate to say it, Chuck, but you've been taken in by another urban legend. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well, it would not be the first time I have been taken in!!!!

Thanks!

Cheers!

Chuck

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 09:58:51

I need to get some dry lubricant, the sailkote is $11 for a six ounce can, what other brands do the same thing? Dave, is this what you're talking about? http://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-11016-Dri-Film-Lubricant/dp/B000RFRM4U/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1311872276&sr=8-14

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 10:13:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 ...Dave, is this what you're talking about?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yup.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 13:48:34

I seem to recall seeing it at Home Depot for less than $5/can. Don't recall the brand name cuz I didn't buy any cuz I already overpaid the evil empire for a can off their shelves which will likely last a few seasons.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 15:11:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I need to get some dry lubricant, the sailkote is $11 for a six ounce can, what other brands do the same thing?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There are similar products, but do the same thing? Maybe, but I'll put my money down for Sailkote considering that a can usually lasts me 2-3 years.

edit: I lose more than that in the sofa in a year.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 07/28/2011 15:13:48

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 15:31:50

I had several slugs broken on my main, so I ordered a dozen new slugs from CD to replace every one and have a few extra.

When I got the new ones and started replacing them, I was very surprised how worn out my old ones were, and how nice and slick the new ones are. The first time I hoisted my main, it went all the way to the top by hand, no winch needed, really easy.

Now I need some Sailkote or something as it still goes up easy, just not as easy as it was.

Edited by - on

T8BECKHAM
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2011 : 19:59:08

Thanks everyone for all the input. I learn several things just from your replys. A buddy got in the chair and we hoisted him up the mast. It seems the problems are the mast head sheaves. There is 2 for the main and 2 for the jib, front and back of the mast. The sheaves are plastic and dont turn. The haylard are all rope and probbally 3/8. We plan to drop the mast to fix. I need to buy the replacement sheaves? What size?
Thanks-

Tate Beckham

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2011 : 05:47:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by T8BECKHAM
 I need to buy the replacement sheaves? What size?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=407"]Catalina Direct - Cars, Blocks, and Sheaves[/url]

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