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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Purchase of Split Backstay

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weluvlife
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166 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/09/2003 : 21:22:33

Hi,

Where would be the best place to buy a complete split backstay assembly for my 1986 Catalina 25 Tall Rig? I just got off the phone
with the people at Catalina Direct, they completely bungled my order and I've temporarily lost interest and confidence with them :(

Ordering all of the separate swage studs, cable, fittings, etc...would probably be to much money and work?

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Mark Eichman
La Grange, CA

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2003 : 00:48:00

Well, I think it probably wouldn't be any more money than a pre-made set up.

You're buying the same components anyway and if you shopped around I'd be surprised if you didn't save some money.

I think most of the work would be in figuring out what to order and what lengths to make everything. If you have another C25 around to copy, that shouldn't be too bad. Probably somebody here has the measurements.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2003 : 01:01:58

Mark,<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Where would be the best place to buy a complete split backstay assembly for my 1986 Catalina 25 Tall Rig?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>If you want convenience and confidence, I'd suggest contacting the Catalina Yachts factory parts department. It's been my experience that they support the long out of production Catalina 25 like it was their current flagship model. They're great people to do business with. Having said that, I assembled my own adjustable split backstay from misc. parts.

I had the two short cables made up by Brion Toss Rigging using 3/16" 1x19 316 alloy wire terminating in toggled jaws preloaded with 3M-5200 before rotary swaging. I made up the longer upper portion of the backstay myself using Sta-Lok eye terminals. (I just went to look up the spelling of the "Sta-Lok" trade name in a recent Practical Sailor article because I can never remember it exactly. However, Practical Sailor had spelled it two different ways by the third paragraph.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>)

For the 3-way holy plate, I sandwiched together two of the old style Catalina 25 lower shroud mast tangs. I included a Hayn 3/8" bronze toggle-jaw/toggle-jaw turnbuckle for setting initial downwind tension and mast rake. The tensioner car is a 5-wheel (Merriman maybe?) I had lying around. I used 3/16" braided line in a ball bearing 3:2:1 cascade tackle to pull down the car, but that's overkill. Three small blocks shackled together for a car, with a 2:1 tackle would be plenty.

-- Leon Sisson

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2003 : 02:10:49

I don't have an adjustable backstay yet. For what it is worth, I am not planing on putting together a split backstay. I am going to go with putting a cascade system on the stock backstay.

I know that a bunch of people here say,"Don't do that. You want to go to the two spots so that the backstay goes to the middle. In answer to this I say so what. The single backstay works fine now, being adjustable will be better. To add this backstay all I have to do is have the current one cut and a block system put in. I don't have to cut out an inspection port and work up though an inch wide opening to add a backing plate and bolts. OK yes my system will be 5 or 6 inches to port of center line. I think the positives far out weigh the negatives.

Again, I haven't done it yet. I may come back saying I screwed up, but then again I may come back saying it works well.

OH, by the way the admrial told me to buy a new jib, she wants to go faster. We got a 150 Doyle, a guy in our club is a dealer for them. His price was a little higher than discount catalogues, but he measured the boat, delivered the sail, adjusted the fairleads, and went out with us to show the proper way to set it. He is also just a phone call away if we have a problem, and he comes to the Thrusday night races.

Fair winds to all

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

Edited by - on

weluvlife
Navigator

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166 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2003 : 15:37:17

I have a lot to think about. I sure enjoy reading your ideas.
Thank you.

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jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 00:03:34

Mark,

I am sorry to learn about your problem with Catalina Direct. In my many dealings with them for purchases or just info, they have been very accomodating and supportive.

May I suggest you call to speak to the owner, Lowell Richardson, and share your frustration. They can't improve unless you tell them there is a problem.

This ain't a touchy-feely suggestion, just practical. I want to avoid any problems when I need help.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
Half Moon Bay, CA

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dgabel
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 17:00:17

With reference to cost:

I recently had a chance to compare costs inadvertently. I ordered the top of the backstay, but neglected to order replacements for the two split tails for the 4x manual advantage lower part. So I checked the CD catalog, and saw that the cost was about $73, but CD said to send them what I had and they'd duplicate it. I didn't want to do that, so I went to a local boat store that makes up rigging. Their price was $143. He said that CD is "one of the largest lofts in the country," and that their retail prices are often equal to or lower than what he pays. So I don't think you'll beat a CD price.

Dave Gabel
Walkure, 79 Tall rig, fin keel
Sail 1484

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 17:08:00

You might want to check with your local sail loft (a big name one, north sobstad or doyle)

We picked up an entire set of rigging a few years back from the sobstad loft. I don't remember the price exactly, but do remember it to be very, very reasonable.

dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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weluvlife
Navigator

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166 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 20:52:10

Hello,

Thanks for the tips and ideas. They are all very interesting and helpful.

Jim, your suggestion is valid. I in fact did mail off a letter to Lowell, the owner of Catalina Direct yesterday.

I called Catalina Parts today. They said that I have to give them accurate measurements of the three backstay sections so that they can make it up. They told me $50.00 !! I'm not sure that is accurate.
Without ascending to the top of a neighbor c25's mast with a measuring tape, I have no idea what the lengths should be. The woman at Catalina said that all boats very. I told her I could give her my hull number etc. Nope. Catalina Direct and the Rigger for West Marine all need measurements. Do I have to run up another persons c25 tall rig mast to get these, or must I drop my mast?? What a hassle? Maybe I too lazy?? smiles

Thanks,

Mark

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