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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

250 wk split backstay - mid-year change?

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kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/22/2004 : 21:35:29

When did Catalina go back to the split backstay on the 250? Was wandering through their web site today, and saw the word "bridle" on the spec sheet - went to the pix, an yuppers, there 'tis.

Any particular advantages? Would it be worth converting the single offset stay to the bridle setup?

Kevin
"wait for me"
250wk

Edited by - on

mmodine
1st Mate

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26 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2004 : 23:45:36

2002 350k #579 has one; makes it easier to adjust and harder to put on a bimini

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mmodine
1st Mate

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26 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2004 : 23:46:50

thats a 2001 250 k

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2004 : 20:00:00

Didn't know they changed - our '97 wk has a split backstay.

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bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2004 : 23:22:46

My 2002 has the split. It's my understanding that for 2003 the switch was made to a single, offset stay but am not certain.

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Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2004 : 23:49:05

My hull #727, 2004 WK has a split back-stay. I believe that Jerry's 2004 WK, hull #743 has a single back-stay on the port side. Jerry's original boat which I believe was hull #734 had a split back-stay, so on the later model's it changed somewhere between # 734 and #743. I'm sure that Jerry can give you more information. Dan #727

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frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2004 : 07:52:05

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2004 : 13:05:44

My 250 hull # 743 does have a split backstay, but unlike Dan's mine are attached at the top of the rear pulpit seats. This is nice since I do not have to worry about a wire necktie when going form the cockpit to the wheel. Dan's boat and the orginial boat delivered to me, #734, had split stays, but they attach to the transom which makes the opening to the wheel very small, and if in a hurry, you could hang yourself. I have heard that they went back to a single backstay, but I have not being able to confirm this.

Edited by - frog0911 on 08/24/2004 13:08:05

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2004 : 20:06:14

Jerry: Sorry I got that one wrong, but somewhere I've seen a single back stay on a new C250, or at least I thought I did...Thanks for clarifying that one...Dan

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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2004 : 21:25:26

My boat is on it's way from the factory & due any day. In case anyone is still interested I'll let you know what she has for a backstay setup.

The waiting is murder. :-/

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jcfordham
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2004 : 01:04:55

FWIW I've got a single on my '04.

Jack
C250 WB #778

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JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2004 : 16:03:14

I've got a 2004 WK with a tiller - it's a single. Maybe a difference between wheel versus tiller.

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sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2004 : 18:13:23

I have a single backstay attached to the floor on far port side (near ladder), does not get in the way at all. This boat was marked as a 2005 model. I suspect that their spec sheet is not up to date.

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Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2004 : 20:56:44

It looks like between #734 and #743 they moved the attachment point for the split backstay from the transom to the top of the rail seats and by #746 they went to a single stay on the port side...a lot of location changes in such a small number of productions...it would be interesting to know why the changes were made as to the casue and effect...Dan #727

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chris wray
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2004 : 12:42:16

Hello all,
RE: Frog0911's split backstay which is anchored from the pulpet seats, (see picture above). I wunnum. Does anybody think that this is not a good idea? As in are the seat frame works up to the task?
Thank you,
Chris Wray

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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2004 : 13:21:03

Charlie,

How long have you had your boat? Also, if you have any useful tips for things that need close monitoring during shakedown cruises for the '05 boats please pass them on. You can use the regular e-mail in my profile if you want.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2004 : 15:03:35

I can assure you the stern pulpit seats are substantial. The very first night I had Chick-a-pea a summer thunderstorm came down the river. The tide was low and the seat got under the dock and took five planks off. I had to repair the dock. It is hard to tell that the seat is slightly bent. I was afraid it was a bad omen. But she has been good to me for three years. Lesson learned: always check up on your brothers knots!

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2004 : 00:02:48

I can assure you the stern pulpits are strong enough to handle it. There are some major beefup plates on the seat to hull attach points and although I did not have a dock hit like BEN-FL, during the Mug race we got knocked down twice, once to starboard and once to port all with in 30 seconds resulting in 360's in each direction from a back side downdraft from a thunder storm. The winds were supposely in excess of 50 mph. I did not measure them since we were quite busy trying to stay afloat. That was the news reports of the wind speeds. The only thing that came loose was the mainsheet stop knot was torned off as the sail went from one side to the other. The result was the mainsheet end was about seven feet out in the water, but everything held together just fine.

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wiffl1
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2004 : 12:03:41

A brand spankin newbie to the fourm but as a someone strongly considering the purchase of a new 250, I have to wonder along with Chris on the attachment of the split backstay to the stern pulpit structure

It's not really the structure of the framework I would be concerned with, it's the integrity of the welds that produce the attachment point on the stern seats.... Over time, I would think the welds may be the weak link in the equation...

I'd prefer to see a more conventional method used.. but, like anything else.... I guess it's a matter of finding a happy medium between the ideal and practical application...

I must say, this is a GREAT forum for gathering info. and opinion!

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2004 : 17:59:41

Dave,

Welcome!! I'm not that far ahead of you in experience here, but am really glad I participate. Tons of good info, neat pix & some laughs.

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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2004 : 19:13:01

Jeff and Dave,
I think you'll find that with the swept back spreaders on our masts (B&R rig), the backstay is practically redundant. As such, it shouldn't be all that tight. So, I doubt it will strain the stern pulpit.
I think the main reason Catalina puts it on there is so it won't look like a Hunter.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2004 : 13:44:04

Bubba has it right... A B&R rig normally eliminates the backstay.... so it is "somewhat" redundant. However, the open cabin structure of the 250 leaves the rig wanting a bit. The upper shrouds for example can't be honked enough to provide prebend because of hull flex and there is probably enough give to allow headstay sag in a blow without the backstay.

Following the evolution of the 250, the original design of course didn't have stern seats and the backstay bridle was no issue with the bridle well clear of a wheel pedestal. When the stern seats were added, the bridle needed moved inboard and it became a problem.

The latest efforts have attempted to solve the cramping on wheel equipped models.

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frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2004 : 14:25:01

So, is there any hope of a "fix" for the cramped wheel equipped models with the split backstay? What about going to a single offset backstay?

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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2004 : 17:09:44

I guess the obvious concern with going to a single backstay is going to be clearances: Your head, the roach of the sail. The other critical concern is finding someplace strong enough to take the load it creates.

Good luck!

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chris wray
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2004 : 15:08:22

Hello all,
Can anyone find fault with the following way of obtaining more helm room by altering the position of the back stay: Using Catalina's anchoring points but channeling the load through a nipple welded to the pulpet seat backs. This would bend the stay and provide the needed room but not impart the load to the seats? Hmm. Any engineers out there that could weigh in on this??
Thanks,
Chris Wray

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Grego5
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2004 : 19:49:40

Would the Pulpit Seats and this pulpit anchor http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=21450, be substantial enough to support the bbackstay?

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