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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Tall Rig vs Standard

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wmsgvine
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/31/2007 : 17:18:30

I am looking for a Catalina 25 in the Dallas area. I see some listed as Tall Rig. I know the mast is 2' taller and the boom is 1' lower. Someone said the Tall Rig is a headknocker? Can I still have a bimini? Someone please give me the pro's and con's to each please. Thanks
wmsgvine

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2007 : 18:16:35

You can have a bimini on a TR, but you'll have to reef the main if you want to sail with the bimini up. We bought our 84 TR last fall and I was able to transfer the bimini from out Cat-22 to the 25. All I had to do was buy and install the mounting brackets.
our bimini height measurenent is 36", which I would consider a minimum. The other things to consider is how wide you want it to be, fixed mount or movable mounts on a short track made for biminis, or get it wide enough to fit on car mounts on the genoa track (you'll likely have to make your own genoa car mounts if you go this route.) I did the fixed mounts.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2007 : 23:16:31

I think the TR is configured slightly different depending on what year the boat. My '89 TR has the boom mounted/fixed to the mast. It is low but also has a topping lift. I am 5' 10" and it is not a threat to my head...but it gets close. It would be a very tight fit to cram a dodger or a bimini top under my boom but may be possible....it would be a compromise for those under it.

The benefit of the TR is mainly a bit more sail for winds below something like 12 knots. Winds greater than that on a TR and reefing then makes it equivalent to the Std rig.

I guess a side benefit of a TR with boom mounted/fixed to the mast is that I believe it came fixed mounted on only the last series of Cat 25s made...slightly newer of the long line of Catalina 25s.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2007 : 08:05:55

Good point, Larry. My 84 does not have the fixed boom. I wonder if yours is mounted a little higher than mine is with full sail up. I'm 5'7" and I have to duck if standing during a tack.
As to pros and cons, the tall rig carries more sail area which will help in light air as Larry indicated, and sailing down wind. It seems that most of our sailing is in light air, so I like it. Reefing the TR brings the main down to approx. std rig size.

On the negative side, the mast is taller and heavier - possible issue if raising and lowering the mast frequently for trailer sailing the boat or going under bridges; sails will be a larger and therefore a bit more expensive; possibly shorter height required for bimini - as I said, mine is 36", i think i read elsewhere that a std rig can take a 42" bimini, definitely need to reef main to use bimini (however, might want less sail up anyway - I would).

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2007 : 08:17:21

There are many threads about this topic if you'll do a search.

Here's one solution to the issue, in the Tech Tips: http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/TRBimini20060319.asp

Brooke

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2007 : 09:50:03

Brooke's solution is good for shading the rear of the cockpit--I liked my bimini forward (with the stock mainsheet rig) where (1) it covered the companionway and (2) I could stand behind it and look over the top (or sit and look under).

The key point about the fixed boom on later models is that reefing will not solve the height issue--it only does if you have a sliding gooseneck (years up to about 88, I think), and then you have to be careful it doesn't end up at the "gate". I've seen biminis on TRs with the boom at its normal height--they seem fine for sitting under, easy to see over, and provide more shade for lower angles of sun. You just can't walk under them very easily.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2007 : 10:20:41

An '89 TR/WK I looked at a few weeks ago had these instead of a bimini.
http://www.pro-techt.com/product.cfm

Don't know how well they work but they look like a good alternative while underway. The boat had a full length boom tent for use when at the dock or moored.

GaryB
Need a boat now!!!

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2007 : 21:30:21

We were out sailing this afternoon, nice breeze around 8, just right for the Admiral. We had the main reefed, working jib and bimini up, and I was sighting along the top of the bimini to the mast. It looks like we may be able to secure the boom with the downhaul just below the slot opening with the main full up and just clear the top of the bimini. Wind is supposed to be very light for the rest of the weekend, so it'll be a good time to see if it will work. I'll let you all know if it works.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2007 : 08:20:23

Gary B,

I have considered those Mantis shades...but ruled them out for now. Looks like a real robust pole mounted to the stern....pro and con to that.

Right now....my hat does the shading for me. maybe I should buy a bunch of those umbrella hats that they sell and then pass them out to all that are onboard. That shoyld be some sight !

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2007 : 09:18:10

The Mantis shades I looked at had a Very sturdy pole and mounting system. The owner has the mounts located at the front corners of the cockpit.

Gary

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wmsgvine
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2007 : 18:11:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 We were out sailing this afternoon, nice breeze around 8, just right for the Admiral. We had the main reefed, working jib and bimini up, and I was sighting along the top of the bimini to the mast. It looks like we may be able to secure the boom with the downhaul just below the slot opening with the main full up and just clear the top of the bimini. Wind is supposed to be very light for the rest of the weekend, so it'll be a good time to see if it will work. I'll let you all know if it works.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Thanks David. Tell me about your day! wmsgvine

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2007 : 21:33:42

We went out again today, Labor Day, to test the 36" bimini with the tall rig theory. We had a nice treat as well. The son of one of my first cousins, a recent graduate from the Naval Academy, came through Nashville on his way to Pensacola to start flight school. We haven't seen him since about age 10, since he lived in CT. In addition to a big family cookout this evening at the home of another cousin, he went sailing with us today and we had a wonderful time getting to know him. Also, it was first time I've seen anyone climb aboard a C-25, at the bow, without the aid of any ladder, etc. with no apparent effort at all. The kid's in great shape! Okay, I digress. We hoisted the full tall rig main, setting the boom gooseneck just below the mast slot opening and secured the boom with the downhaul, and opened up the bimini. It works! There is about 1" clearance for our 36" tall bimini without reefing the tall rig main. Actually, I hoisted the main until the gooseneck fitting was about 1" up into the slot opening, then brought it down with the downhaul until the gooseneck fitting in the slot was even with the bottom of the slot opening and secured the downhaul. This is essentially our standard setting for the main with it all the way up.
Anyway, it works!

Edited by - dmpilc on 09/03/2007 21:37:26

wmsgvine
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2007 : 21:50:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 We went out again today, Labor Day, to test the 36" bimini with the tall rig theory. We had a nice treat as well. The son of one of my first cousins, a recent graduate from the Naval Academy, came through Nashville on his way to Pensacola to start flight school. We haven't seen him since about age 10, since he lived in CT. In addition to a big family cookout this evening at the home of another cousin, he went sailing with us today and we had a wonderful time getting to know him. Also, it was first time I've seen anyone climb aboard a C-25, at the bow, without the aid of any ladder, etc. with no apparent effort at all. The kid's in great shape! Okay, I digress. We hoisted the full tall rig main, setting the boom gooseneck just below the mast slot opening and secured the boom with the downhaul, and opened up the bimini. It works! There is about 1" clearance for our 36" tall bimini without reefing the tall rig main. Actually, I hoisted the main until the gooseneck fitting was about 1" up into the slot opening, then brought it down with the downhaul until the gooseneck fitting in the slot was even with the bottom of the slot opening and secured the downhaul. This is essentially our standard setting for the main with it all the way up.
Anyway, it works!

To be fair, the wind today was 1-5, and we ended up tying up with another sailboat for a while and went swimming. But it should work in stronger wind too. The thing you'll have to consider is if you'll be satisfied with a relatively short bimini. 36" doesn't give one enough headroom to stand up under it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">David
Thanks for the great post....kinda what sailing is all about. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and bring a Cat 25 into our family. Kinda an adaption process, but making the proper plans to make it right. Your post helps.............

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2007 : 21:59:02

You won't be disappointed. It's a really fun boat.

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