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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Standard Main on Tall rig

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cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/19/2005 : 14:28:52

Has anyone had any experience putting a standard size main on a tall rig mast. I am trying to get more head room in the cockpit for the admiral, and am wondering on performance differences.
Thanks to all,
Chris

Yam Ka '83 SK/TR #3749

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matsche
Captain

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280 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 16:17:02

You'll lose a little performance in light air, but if you're not planning on racing, then that may not be an issue. On the plus side, you shouldn't have to reef as early when the wind picks up.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5908 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 16:21:53

It will work, but, personally, I think it unnecessarily diminishes the value and usefulness of your boat if you put a non-standard mainsail on it. I prefer to see an owner have either a flattening reef or a short reef installed in the mainsail (about one foot above the boom). When you raise the sail, you can also raise the boom an extra foot, which achieves your objective. If the Admiral isn't along, or if the wind is light, or if you want to race, and you want all the sail area you can get, you can shake out the reef.

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John J.
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USA
157 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 17:44:54

I have a standard sail on a tall rig. I think it's the original sail, my guess is a PO wanted room for the bimini which came with the boat when I bought it.( I also think it is original ). The arrangement works great for me, I'm 6'3" and I rarely get on the boat without knocking my head at least a couple of times on something. Wearing a hat has proven to be extremely dangerous. I'm thankful for the extra headroom, and am not an experienced enough sailor to be able to tell how much performance is comprimised by this. Iv'e often wondered that myself. We like to lounge around the boat sometimes, and the bimini is an absolute must in the heat of the summer as far as I'm concerned.

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 18:44:08

I live in Florida and must have the bimini up during the summer. I took another approach and had the local loft take a bit off the top of the sail. I lost less total area that way (than taking it off the foot using a reef or going to a standard rig main) and gained the headroom for the bimini. Of course with a reef the sail area can be regained. One other disadvantage of this approach is that there is some contact between the top leach and the backstay during a tack or jibee.

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cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 18:58:12

John J.,
Where is the boom relative to the sail slot? do you hoist your main all the way to the top of the mast, or somewhere in the middle.

To all,
I asked this question because I found a used std rig Main at a good price ($100). My main is still in decent shape, and I can always go back to it I mainly wondered whether it would be worth the investment of an additional sail.
Thanks again for your help
Chris

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John J.
Navigator

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157 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 19:57:03

Cclark, when the main is fully hoisted, my boom is above the slot. However if I apply a lot of downhaul, the very bottom of the gooseneck is partially in the slot. This year I've purchased mastgates from CD which should take care of that. I hoist my boom as far as it will go.

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sanibelle
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 11:58:09

On my tall rig I believe the main is original (1980 TR/FK). It has a cringle about one foot above the boom (at the mast side) but no corresponding cringle on the aft side of the boom. What is the purpose of this cringle?

Joe Russo

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5908 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 13:45:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> On my tall rig I believe the main is original (1980 TR/FK). It has a cringle about one foot above the boom (at the mast side) but no corresponding cringle on the aft side of the boom. What is the purpose of this cringle?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Joe, that's a cunningham cringle. A line is attached to a small pad eye on the port side of the mast (below the level of the gooseneck), and it goes through that cringle and is lashed to a cleat on the starboard side of the mast (also below the level of the gooseneck). It's used to put additional tension on the luff of the mainsail in stronger winds.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 16:25:02

Hi there,
I know this doesn't exactly answer your question, but here is my three cents worth. I have a tall rig with tall sail. When I'm anchored out and partying in the cockpit I use my topping lift (Catalina Direct supplied) to raise the boom out of the way, so no head knocking. When sailing, I'm sitting down anyways so no problem with the boom

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cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 17:36:00

Thanks Frank,
That is what I do now also. It works well for the partying and motoring out to the bay, but my wife is not a sailor and accidental jibes make her nervous especially when the kids are aboard (1.5 and 4yrs). To make matters worse, My mainsheet traveler is mid boom with the track just in front of the cabin entrance. I like this setup for single handing by myself, but with guests aboard, the mainsheet and other running rigging is right in their way. I am in the process of setting up the mainsheet so I can switch it to the OEM set up when guests are aboard, and I think having an extra std size main will help the admiral enjoy the ride more....which means more sail time for me.
Chris
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 Hi there,
I know this doesn't exactly answer your question, but here is my three cents worth. I have a tall rig with tall sail. When I'm anchored out and partying in the cockpit I use my topping lift (Catalina Direct supplied) to raise the boom out of the way, so no head knocking. When sailing, I'm sitting down anyways so no problem with the boom
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5908 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 19:14:13

Buying a standard rig mainsail for only $100. is a sensible way to accomplish your objective and still have the full range of use of your boat. I say go for it.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2005 : 08:54:25

Hey Chris,
If accidental jibes are a problem I suggest that you use a preventer. When downwind sailing for a while I will always use one. I got hit on the head once, and that was enough. Still don't think it knocked any sense into me.

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