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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Drifter

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/02/2007 : 11:30:13

Anybody have pictures of their 250 flying a drifter? How is it attached? Since it is not a replacement sail for the jib it doesn't insert into the furler. Since there is no additional forestay, is it loose at the luff? Does it require a whisker pole?

Found out yesterday the the admiral is not fond of wind over 10 knots. Seems like we might be doing a lot of light wind sailing.

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2007 : 13:02:37

See the [url="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/drifter.html"]drifter tech tip[/url]

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zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2007 : 15:07:24

I dont have a picture as yet, but I purchased mine from the same place as Arlyn. In conversation with them, they prefer and suggest that the tack be attached to the stem with no adjustment. I set mine about a foot above the stem. They were very helpful in design etc. and it came with all the lines, and blocks. I use the jib halyard since I have roller furling and it is not used.

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2007 : 16:47:29

Jay, what was the total cost of your drifter from Ullman?
Just got a price quote: $803.00 plus tax.

Edited by - AADIVER on 07/02/2007 19:29:15

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2007 : 19:45:47

set your blocks up first , and measure your luff length .
Then order .
I had to have my sail cut down for another two hundred , because it was too long

Edited by - SEAN on 07/02/2007 19:47:04

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2007 : 21:03:50

I've used my drifter enough to respectfully wonder about the suggestion not to use an adjustable tack line.

I'm assuming that the sail maker is suggesting that luff tension be set with the halyard because the sail will most certainly experience a very wide range of luff tension... probably thirty inches worth. It may be that the sailmaker thinks the sheeting angle will go bad when easing the tack that much... I'd be quite interested in the reason.

I adjust the tack line for each point of sail and wind condition as it has a significant effect upon speed. All of this may also be accomplished by the halyard but holding the sail low holds the chaff and mishape on the life line whereas easing the tack on a reach if I recall correctly gets the sail clear of the life line.

I think I will stay with a tack line unless a great argument is made to do otherwise.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2007 : 22:28:27

Arlyn, do you have the dimensions for that sail???

I'm getting a little ambitious with my sewing machine and have been visiting the local SailRite store in Ft. Lauderdale. It seems a relatively simple sail.

Paul

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2007 : 06:24:09

Paul, Sorry I don't. It was bought from Gary Swenson back around '97 and all I remember is that he knew the dimensions for the 250 and knew the sail had to be cut high to allow the sheeting to the aft stanchion bases.

Mine is not sewn... for the most part I think it is glued together.

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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 13:31:06

My luff lenth was 26' or 26 and a 1/2 .

and from the tack to the clue is around 17'

its a fun sail

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 15:29:09

Sean, was that before or after the cut down ?

Searching the net, I found several pages showing how to make a sail from 'Tyvek' the DuPont material used to wrap houses.
One quote went something like ~You'll get some wry comments about the Logo on the sail~

The material is about $1 per sq ft. I thought of making a drifter from it to practice my sewing skills before buying sail cloth for the real one, but guess I would have to try sewing a piece first to see if the stitch holes created a ripping line.

Paul

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 15:43:22

The drifter/spinnaker kits from Sailrite are precut and I believe you tape the seams and then sew them to keep the seams together.

Tom.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 19:07:53

that was after the cut ,
I have my upper block about 14" lower than the top of the mast .

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 20:41:54

Also had an Ullman from Gary on Lady Kay II, also had an adjustable tack.....worked like a charm. Was able to pole it out dead downwind, also a good idea.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 07:43:44

Tom (Cote d'Azure) is that asym in your sig a sailrite kit?

Paul

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 08:05:08

OK, let me get this right. I can buy a kit to make my own drifter for around $700 from Sailrite or I can buy a finished sail for around $800 from Ullman. Tell me why I would want to make my own? I'm reasonably smart and could probably follow the instructions with the kit but the learning curve would require an awful lot of potential sailing hours and my hourly rate would certainly be at least as much as the cost difference. And, I would have to trust my sewing abilities! (another untried skill) Or, was I looking at the wrong price at Sailrite?

The Tyvek sail certainly is intriguing, though. Do you have a link Paul?

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 10:26:13

The Ulman sail will also get after turning blocks and mounts for the quoted price... probably another $30-40 value.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 11:00:00

Mine is a cruising direct sail.

Keep in mind, there are very lightweight genoas and modified spinnakers. Mine is the latter with a wind range of 80 deg-180 aparent.

You may be better suited with a reacher type sail.It is a lightweight genoa made for the 10kt and under winds.

While I love using my cruising spinnaker, It only comes out when we have a ways to go. Setup and takedown can take a little bit.

If you are on the Beer cruise, and want to pass 40-50 boats QUICKLY, this is your sail.

Tom.

Edited by - on

zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2007 : 10:13:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by FARMHAND
 Jay, what was the total cost of your drifter from Ullman?
Just got a price quote: $803.00 plus tax.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Mine was $803 also. It included my own selection of color panels and all the lines, and turning blocks for the sheets.

Jay

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2007 : 13:00:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">While I love using my cruising spinnaker, It only comes out when we have a ways to go. Setup and takedown can take a little bit.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It looks like you have a sock on it , that doesn't help raising and lowering ?

I would like one for the drifter its about $250 , its not that big of a sail , but I don't want to rip it .

some days are smoother than others .

Edited by - SEAN on 07/06/2007 13:04:15

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