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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Forestay/Rigging problem

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thekinsale
Deckhand

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3 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/06/2003 : 16:04:39

This is my third year to launch my C250. I am dreading the launch because of the forestay/furler rig on my boat and the difficulty with attaching it to the chainplate on the bow. Last year, nothing short of brute force was needed and loosening of all turnbuckles to their lowest point. Does anyone else have this problem? I have even returned the shroud wires to the dealer to be measured. I thought that the lower shroud was loose. They seem to be fine. I don't know what else to try.

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2003 : 16:47:13

Do you have a water ballast or wing keel?

Pre 2003 I can see how the wk mast stepping would be easier than the wb. The spreaders on the wk are shorter and the shrouds do not attach as far back toward the stern as the wb and the wk shrouds are attached on the cabin top.

Is your jib on the furler when you are doing this? I've heard it is easier with the jib off of the furler.

I have a wk with a backstay adjuster. I never have loosened anything but the forestay. I usually leave the jib on the furler. It does take a little muscle. But I don't remember it being real hard.

Bryan Beamer
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df05b3127cce93a99ec449080000001010" border=0>
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2003 : 17:49:08

Think we can solve your problem... your boat likely uses the mast stepping system that pulls the mast up from around the spreader position... this will allow the mast truck to lag aft with a bent mast.

Once the mast is standing...Use the jib halyard and secure to bow pulpit... and haul it tight...you might want to use a sheet winch. It should pull the mast truck forward and allow easy hookup of the forestay shackle.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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thekinsale
Deckhand

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3 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2003 : 10:55:03

Bryan,

It is a wb. I have been doing this with the jib on the furler, but I will try it without now.

Do you have a water ballast or wing keel?

Pre 2003 I can see how the wk mast stepping would be easier than the wb. The spreaders on the wk are shorter and the shrouds do not attach as far back toward the stern as the wb and the wk shrouds are attached on the cabin top.

Is your jib on the furler when you are doing this? I've heard it is easier with the jib off of the furler.

I have a wk with a backstay adjuster. I never have loosened anything but the forestay. I usually leave the jib on the furler. It does take a little muscle. But I don't remember it being real hard.

Bryan Beamer
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df05b3127cce93a99ec449080000001010" border=0>
Daylight Again
C250wk #495
[/quote]

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thekinsale
Deckhand

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3 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2003 : 10:58:52

Arlyn,

Thank you so much. I will try this. Yes, the mast system is tricky and I was even having problems with the winch line slipping off the rubber rollers at just the wrong times.
I think this will work, along with Bryan's suggestion.

Think we can solve your problem... your boat likely uses the mast stepping system that pulls the mast up from around the spreader position... this will allow the mast truck to lag aft with a bent mast.

Once the mast is standing...Use the jib halyard and secure to bow pulpit... and haul it tight...you might want to use a sheet winch. It should pull the mast truck forward and allow easy hookup of the forestay shackle.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

[/quote]

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2003 : 17:00:10

Just my two cents worth,
When I bought my early C250 WB with a CDI furler the previuos owner worked once with me with putting up the mast, we used the jib halyard and an extension tied off to that. No jib installed, never had to loosen the backstay more than two turns to install front clevis pin on the chain plate. Never considered raising the mast with the jib installed. Also needed two people to raise the mast and one person on the cabin roof, what I wouldn't give for the trailer mounted system. Dido when taking it down. "Bear" on "Brandy"

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2003 : 17:54:42

Bear... did you get the gin pole from previous owner? If so... throw the block and tackle from it into the junk box... buy the smallest trailer winch available...U bolt it to the gin pole about 1/3 up from the base and enjoy very easy mast raising and lowering single handed.

IMHO this system has benefits over the trailer system as the raising and lowering is done from on top of the boat by a single person who can stop at any point, and deal with a fouled shroud etc, without having to get on the boat or have another person helping. Also, because the winch is on the gin pole, the operator is facing aft and has a birds eye view of the whole process. And, he is in a position to handle the furler while winching.

The whole process is done from on top of the boat with one person.

The raising and lowering process can be stopped and held at any point to deal with a snagged shroud etc.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - on

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2003 : 23:36:14

I had the same problem with my 2002. I had to winch the mast forward with so much bend that I got cold sweats looking at it. I spoke with David, at Catalina, and he pulled the specs for my hull number and I measured and verified that the forestay and backstays were indeed cut to the correct length.

After some consideration, he said that when they switched from the CDI to the Schaffer furler, there had been reports of some trouble getting the furler/stay pinned at the bow. He recommended adding a toggle to the end of the furler linkage where it pins to the bow plate. I bought one at West Marine that added one inch to the effective length of the stay and have had no problem getting the stay pinned and unpinned since. Might give it a try.

Bren Peterson
C250WB, #642, "Ruah"
San Antonio, TX

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MarkB
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2003 : 14:41:29

Have you checked your rigging. When I picked up my boat the forestay was rigged to the top of the mast in the "slot". I had the same problem. Changing the "slots" solved the problem.

MarkB
c250 #333 wb

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MarkB
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2003 : 14:42:52

Have you checked your rigging. When I picked up my boat the forestay was rigged to the top of the mast in the "slot". I had the same problem. Changing the wrong "slots" solved the problem.

MarkB
c250 #333 wb

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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.