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 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Initially Posted - 04/12/2005 :  00:45:50  Show Profile
About a month ago, there was an excellent thread started by JB007 called 'Snag druring Mast Raising leads to Question'

His final question appeared not to have been answered...I was hoping someone would answer it because I have the same situation...to wit:
It seems that my forestay is too short. I've loosened my back stay to the point where its sloppy and floppy and all the shrouds are loose. I used a truckers hitch on the forestay and applied the combined strength of two strong men to bend the mast forward far enough to get the minimum number of turns in the forestay turnbuckle. I have unwanted forward rake on my mast. The mast is fully seated in the tabernacle.
Any suggestions?
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 04/12/2005 :  07:26:19  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
Buy a toggle to extend the forestay, connect it at the bow. I use a nice one. Mine adds about 1.5"
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 04/12/2005 :  10:14:07  Show Profile
I think your issue is a bit different... he was trying to bring the rig up with the shrouds 'tight'... raising the mast with the rig loose makes the forestay a lot easier to attach.

As Frank suggested, a toggle should solve your problem.
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts
Response Posted - 04/12/2005 :  10:20:02  Show Profile
Unless the headstay and backstay are not the standard length (which is possible, but I've never seen it), they're long enough to enable you to attach both ends and to still have room to adjust the mast to tilt it forward or aft, as necessary. The usual reason why the headstay doesn't seem to be long enough to attach it to the bow is because all the adjustment has been taken up in the backstay turnbuckles.

I'll assume that the mast is already up. First, if you have a backstay adjuster, be sure to release any tension on it. If that doesn't give you additional slack in the headstay and backstay, then you need to completely unscrew the headstay and backstay turnbuckles at both ends. Before you do that, tie a piece of line to the jib halliard and cleat it securely to your bow cleat. Then do the same with your main halliard, and cleat it to a stern cleat. Those halliards will hold the mast up while you completely unscrew the headstay and backstay turnbuckles. (Be careful you don't drop any nuts or washers in the lake.)

Now, start to thread the headstay turnbuckle barrel back onto the screws at both ends, by equal amounts. Stop when you have threaded it on at both ends by two or three threads. Next, do the same thing with your backstay turnbuckle. Now, start alternately tightening your headstay turnbuckle by 10 turns, and then tightening your backstay turnbuckle by ten turns, until both the headstay and backstay feel fairly firm. When you're done with adjustments, don't forget to tighten the locknuts at both ends of each turnbuckle.

By completely removing the headstay and backstay turnbuckles, and re-threading them back on by equal amounts, you should have room for adjustment at both ends. If you don't, then either your headstay or backstay is probably a non-standard length.
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 04/12/2005 :  11:38:29  Show Profile
Thank you Gentlemen.

Frank, do you have specs on the toggle you use?

I think that I'll start with Steve's suggestion and have the toggle at the ready.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 04/12/2005 :  12:43:52  Show Profile
My forestay has a toggle also.
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 04/12/2005 :  13:15:35  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
my new forestay from CD was too short, but since I did not get a new backstay from them I don't feel it is their fault.
I will research it for you and get back to you. Mine is a very nice one.
I'm back. This is a Bronze one, I believe mine is chromed bronze. It is shapped like this. These are the guys who make them.
Alexander-Roberts Co., Irvine, CA (949) 250-4571
Marine Hardware & Equipment-Mfrs. & Distrs.

[url="http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=16179"]sailnet[/url]
Edited by - Frank Hopper on 04/12/2005 14:36:35
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JB007
Deckhand

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USA
20 Posts
Response Posted - 04/13/2005 :  01:01:24  Show Profile
In addition to the longer Toggle that Frank used, I would also suggest that you use one of the newer, open-faced, turnbuckles SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE how much tread you've got to work with.

When I was raising my mast for the first time, I dismissed the thoughts I had of loosening the old style (closed) shroud turnbuckles because I had no idea how much tread I had left and I wasn't familiar with the locknuts.
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 04/13/2005 :  07:35:43  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
One thing about which toggle to add to your stock toggle; make sure you buy one that fits your bowstem fitting. I added the new bowstem and my clevis hole is considerably larger than stock.
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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts
Response Posted - 04/13/2005 :  09:04:01  Show Profile  Visit Leon Sisson's Homepage
I suggest having a toggle in the forestay at the masthead. You need one at each end of the forestay to allow the terminal fittings to align with the side loads imposed by the foresail. The turnbuckle usually provides a toggle at the lower end.

-- Leon Sisson
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 04/14/2005 :  10:43:48  Show Profile
Thanx guys.
My backstay has the closed turnbuckle with the nuts on either end, whereas the forestay is the open style.

From what I can tell, PO kept everything standard Catalina.

Regards
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