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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

boom vang

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gfaust
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/31/2004 : 17:23:14

I have a new 2004 wing keel -- the topping lift
is confusing and a hasle can anyone recommend
a rigged boom vang or new arrangment -so i dont have
to go under the boom at the mast to release and tie.
thanks ????

gfaust

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2004 : 19:16:33

The dealer is not shooting you good information on the topping lift. While I've never used a rigid vang, many have added them so I'm thinking they must be a good upgrade...but the topping lift thing is not making sense yet. A topping lift shouldn't be tied in any slip knot... it should be cleated somehow. There should be either a cleat on the starboard side of the boom or the topping lift can be run aft to a stopper.

No offense to Oscar's way of running his... but I don't think a topping lift set up like a halyard is ideal... it presents another slapping halyard that may get free and take a ride to the masthead. Have you looked at the picture posted a few days ago showing the Catalina drawing with a topping lift added?

I will reference it again. The blue line is the topping lift. It can be cleated on the starboard side of the boom or run down from the boom's forward end to a turning block and led aft to a clutch. I've reduced the size of the pic so the text is hard to see...but the line is visible enough that it can be seen.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 02/01/2004 09:53:19

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2004 : 23:27:10

Gary, look in your owners manual on page 1.9.2 for a diagram on how to connect your topping lift. You will note that the rope leads to the starboard side of the boom to a cam cleat. On page 1.9.3 it states the running rigging sent with your boat included 50 feet of low stretch 1/4 inch rope for the topping lift. If yours is not rigged correctly you need to call the dealer or fix it yourself.
If you could post a picture of how yours is rigged I think the forum can do a better job of helping.
From your thread remarks I get the impression that you are talking about the single line reefing setup which is the only line cleated to the mast. This is also covered on page 1.9.2 of your manual.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2004 : 09:57:06

Jerry,

Glad to hear that the manual has seen some updates. For a very long time, it hadn't been getting much attention. Could you email me a copy of both pages you referenced ?

And, regarding the current reefing settup on new boats. Time has a way of altering perspectives... for example, Bryan reported here a year ago that Catalina is no longer running the jiffy reef line aft... and he wisely questioned the reasoning (or lack of) for having a halyard led aft but reefing line at the mast because it means that things have to be done from two different places in order to reef.

The probability of why Catalina is not running the reef line aft any more is likely warranty issues brought on by damage to the sail while using a single reefing line system. This leaves the owner sorting out what works for them.

Personally, I don't think the answer is a single line reefing system that requires the use of a winch to set. Too much potential for popping sail slugs and damaging the reef tack. Two line reefing is much easier to set the reef. Two line reefing from the cockpit however presents challenges of four lines unless just one reef point is desired. Four lines are doable especially if one or two are on the aft boom.

My point in all this... While Catalina may be providing even updated pages, the system that they have fallen back on as Bryan has pointed out... is not reasonable and I can understand that some new owners may need some help sorting out a game plan that works for them.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 02/01/2004 10:18:50

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2004 : 12:57:00

I do not know much about single line since on my C25 I use the hook for the luff and then one line on the aft boom for the leech. I will try the single line on the 250 sometime next week and see how it feels. I will try it the way it is designed and then add a block to the mast step lead it aft and try it that way. When you see the diagram you will note that there is no reefing system set up for the upper reef point. Catalina says the owner has to figure how they want to do it. Will EM drawings before Super Bowl starts.

Edited by - on

Robert
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2004 : 13:57:21

I replaced my stock vang on our 250WB with a Garhauer rigid boom vang and we love it. It increases your purchase on your boom and you can remove the topping lift which avoids the topping lift halyard and the hassel of going forward to adjust it. We consider the rigid vang an essential safety item because it oftem elimnates unexpected jibes. By exerting lateral presssure outboard it tends to reduce the jibe in light air and following seas. When you do jibe, that lateral pressure reduces the speed of the boom travel until it is inside the life lines. We have the vang sheet routed back to the cockpit through a deck organizer to an eye strap and a clam cleat so we can adjust the vang as needed from the cockpit. A stopper knot needs to be tied in the vang sheet to keep the aft end of boom from lifting up and catching the backstay. It is also a wise idea to lock the rotation of the forward end of the boom. We had the gooseneck shaft welded to the boom face plate. The entire cost of the vang and hardware was a little over $200. This is very inexpensive for the safety that it affords. I am stressing the safety feature because many years ago I was struck in the head and knocked over the life lines and unconscious into the water by a wild boom when I went to forward to assist a crew member with a spinnaker pole. After that experience, our next boats had rigid vangs and an open transoms.
Robert

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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.