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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Boom riging question

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JanS48
Navigator

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USA
141 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/12/2015 : 20:09:47

I see in the boatyard that many boats have a line going somewhat parallel to the backstay and attaching from the top of the mast to the end of the boom, my former boat a Seafarer 22 had such a line. I don't see such a line on the C25's ? Do some of you add this or just go with attaching the end of the boom to the "companion" line on the backstay before lowering the mainsail? and... what would that line going from the top of the mast to the boom end be called ? On my Seafarer it was just 1/4 line nothing special.

Comments please.

82 C25 SR FK
Sailing out of Newport Harbor.

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2015 : 20:13:02

It's called a topping lift and many of us have them on our boats. As far as I know the C25 did not come with these so any you see on a C25 have been added. I got mine at Catalina Direct.

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

JanS48
Navigator

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USA
141 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2015 : 06:14:04

Thanks so much for the info.

You guys are the best.
I'm so glad I purchased a Catalina although if I had it to do over again I pay a little more and get one that didn't need absolutely everything.

Thanks again
Jan

82 C25 SR FK
Sailing out of Newport Harbor.

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2015 : 06:31:57

Gary is right, A topping lift was extra on the C25. Catalina gave you that pigtail as stock. The topping lift is adjustable. In this photo the topping lift runs from the mast head down to a small block. A small line is run from the boom to the block and back to the boom through a turning block then to a cleat on the boom for boom height adjustments. If you have one you don't need to put the boom on the pigtail before dropping the sail and is an aid in shaping the main.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2015 : 08:12:08

Making it adjustable like Scott's allows you to set it so it holds the boom horizontally when the sail is dropped, and goes just slightly slack when the sail is at full hoist so it doesn't affect the shape. It can also hold the boom higher when you're not sailing--even more useful on a C-25 tall rig, where the boom is a foot lower than the standard. I had a stopper-knot on topping lift so that if I raised it when moored, I could just release it to the knot for sailing--no fine adjustment needed.

I never use a topping lift to make the sail "fuller"--I prefer using the out-haul for that--even better with a loose-footed main (no bolt rope holding the entire foot of the sail to the boom) for shaping with the out-haul in light air. It's somewhat controversial, but IMHO, raising the boom with the topping lift allows the upper part to twist off, which is the last thing you want in light air. I think sailors will find that when they do it, the telltales on the sail start flying upward, which "tells the tale." (Sorry if I stirred up the nest...)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2015 : 09:42:41

quote:
Originally posted by JanS48

Thanks so much for the info.

You guys are the best.
I'm so glad I purchased a Catalina although if I had it to do over again I pay a little more and get one that didn't need absolutely everything.

Thanks again
Jan

How far are you willing to drive to get an '89 with trailer?

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2015 : 16:56:14

Half the fun of a boat is setting it up the way you want it. That said, this time of year I'd rather be sailing... But that's what rainy days are for.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3474 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2015 : 04:43:57

<< It can also hold the boom higher when you're not sailing >>

Yepper.. It's really great to push the end of the boom up and tighten the topping the lift which raises the boom out of your heads way at anchor.

It's also a great way to create twist and open up the top of the mainsail to wind as you are going downwind and still keep the boom in some, which lets wind below make it to the jib, keeping it fuller.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 06/15/2015 04:44:28

jaydon
Navigator

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USA
156 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2015 : 13:59:33

quote:
Originally posted by JanS48

Thanks so much for the info.

You guys are the best.
I'm so glad I purchased a Catalina although if I had it to do over again I pay a little more and get one that didn't need absolutely everything.

Thanks again
Jan

Jan, tell me about it. Got mine for (what I think) a song. But, whyat I have had to put into it brought it up. But now I know the halyards are all good, interior (salon so far) is done, anchor and rode, dock lines, lifelines, water tank, pressure water, batteries and many more are in great shape or new.
Also, a good selling point.
Jay

Jay
South County RI
Cat 25 SR/FK/Trad
#5645
Wind Dancer

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2015 : 13:00:07

We have a saying here... a $10,000 boat is a $10,000 boat; pay up front and sail or pay over time and work on your boat instead of sail.

Frank Hopper

wanderer13
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
76 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2015 : 06:04:53

quote:
Originally posted by pastmember

We have a saying here... a $10,000 boat is a $10,000 boat; pay up front and sail or pay over time and work on your boat instead of sail.

Agreed, although when you repair, replace, or restore things on an old boat, you gain the satisfaction and knowledge by doing it yourself.

1981 Catalina 25 FK/TR

Jan Briede
Navigator

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USA
162 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2015 : 06:11:50

I so agree with the posts above. I got my boat for free five years ago and she needed a lot of work. After a lot of blood, sweat and tears (and money) I've come to the conclusion I will never be done, but I'm enjoying it. I know what I have done is good work. A good friend of mine (and a seasoned sailor/boat repair guy told me to fix enough to make her sailable and then enjoy it. I now work on her two or three weekends each month (weather permitting) and sail her at least once a month.

Jan Briede
Beagle
1979 TR #1242 FK
L-Dinette
Yorktown, VA
Blog -- http://vanomad.blogspot.com/

dasreboot
Admiral

Members Avatar

803 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2015 : 11:50:49

Jan your blog says you were in fredericksburg 3 days ago. Stop by next time lets go sailing. You know where I live!

Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.