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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

backstay adjuster

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andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/13/2002 : 15:45:16

I'm putting a Garhauer rigid boom vang on my C250WB, freeing up my existing vang. I want to use the old vang as a backstay adjuster by adding 2 wire blocks and a shackle on the backstay split... Any ideas or comments from you skippers? I'm wondering where to attach the bottom block. We have a tiller.

Andy Anderson
CSCO Kid #163
Mill Harbor YC
McCall, IdahoO

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2002 : 22:35:35

And, the c250 is not meant to be used with a backstay tensioner. Also, the vang rigging would be gross overkill for it.

The c250 has no forward lowers and relies on the radical raked spreaders to hold the middle of the mast forward. To pull the mast truck aft would loosen the uppers and the force on the spreaders and alow aft bend to the middle of the mast.

So, the C250 requires a static tune with fairly tight fore, back and uppers and looser lowers.

There is a way to take advantage of a backstay tensioner but I doubt if many would be interested other than perhaps cruisers and not a lot of that is done on a c250. I do... and thus have added one to my boat.

The tensioner is used in conjuntion with a running baby stay. Let me explain. A baby stay is normally a line from the mast in the area of the spreaders running foreward to a chainplate on the foredeck. But, no place exist on the c250 for such a chainplate and a fixed baby stay would be in the way of tacking the jib anyway. So, what is needed is a running stay. Anyone wanting information on how I accomplished that... just let me know.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

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andy
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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2002 : 14:03:58

Thanks Arlen.... I'm going to forget about the idea. I'm not into going against the basic design of the rig, just thought since I had the vang why not use it? My ignorance shows... There are only a couple of C250's in Idaho and tons of C22's so.. you see where I got the idea. A lot of those guys use one.

I would be interested in some details on tuning the rig. Do you use a tension guage? I haven't found any info on the right set up.

This will be our third season with the boat... it's time to get into the fine points. We've been very competitive in our club races against the C25's, and we're still learning the boat. All my experience prior was 10 years of sailing and racing a Lido 14... way different!

Andy Â¿

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2002 : 17:16:04

Hey Andy, those ten years likely gave you a strong sailing foundation. My son and I raced cats for several years together...had a lot of fun.

Most racers like the ability to tune their rig on the fly...but just like the cats, the c250 will have to be set up ahead of time for conditions. If your going to race, and want to be as compeditive as possible...then retune for conditions...most others will tune once. If tuning once, I suggest a tight rig for a breeze compared to loose for power in light air. This will give the c250 a little more forgivness.

The tight rig will firm up the headstay keeping it from developing a large pocket and adding to heeling in a breeze. It is also necessary as the uppers need to be fairly tight in order to keep the mast from reverse bend (aft) in the middle. On the wing, its been reported several times that its difficult or impossible to get prebend (fore bend in the middle). So, shoot for an in column mast. The lowers will be significantly looser than the uppers or they will induce reverse bend. Guage the lowers by lying on the Vberth bunk and sight the mast thru the forward windows while on a reach. If the middle sags off to leeward, tighten the lowers (both the same amount)only enough to hold the mast in column. The lowers should be on the forward chain plate.

Use a marks-a-lot and write on the brass barrel the turns on the one you will loosen...Then its very easy to put the rig back into tune after trailering or having the mast down for some reason.

Loose guage numbers are not all that good of a guide as guages vary considerably. Basically, follow the guidlines in the manual...except getting the prebend...though its possible to do on the water ballast which has a bit of advantage with more outboard stay chainplates. Use a halyard to guage centering the mast... and then always do equal turns on the side stays from there.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

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Glogner
Deckhand

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Austria
16 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2002 : 07:40:30

I installed a Garhauer Rigid Vang which works great. I do not have to mess with the topping lift any more and it can be controlled from the cockpit.
http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/tt020.html
But I agree with Arlyn that it is a little overdone, but it is our toy.
Also I used the old vang purchase as backstay adjuster. I had to change it to a very low stretch line in order to prevent some unwanted flex in strog wind condition. I use it very seldom - only for racing.
http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/allis11.html

Best regards

Dietmar

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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.