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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

mast rake problem

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vikinginburnaby
Deckhand

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Canada
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/25/2023 : 23:18:33

what do you know about the rake:
attempting to rig up my sails. first step is to position fore and aft the mast which is not right and not sure how to adjust it.
Instructions say 4 inch of rake, which is the distance at the deck from a plumb bob using main halyard hanging from the top to the mast, so the top of the mast should be 4 inches aft, but it is about 22 inches. Instructions say to adjust it and as far as I can see there is only one adjustment on the back stay. The front stay (furling gybe) has no adjustment at the deck level and the top was already connected, so as far as I remember there is nothing adjustable up there. Any ideas for me.

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5881 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2023 : 05:15:41

Welcome to the forum. Before we can help you fix it, we have to figure out what you have. The C25 was built in two configurations - standard rig and tall rig. Is your boat a standard rig or tall rig? Also, does your boat have a single backstay or a split backstay? If you don't know, we can help you figure it out.

The forestay of a standard rig is supposed to be 29' 11" long. The forestay of a tall rig is supposed to be 31' 10" long.

The single backstay of a standard rig is supposed to be 32' 4" long. The split backstay of a standard rig is supposed to be 26' 4" long.

The single backstay of a tall rig is supposed to be 33' 11 1/4" long. The split backstay of a tall rig is supposed to be 28' 2" long.

Once you know whether you have a standard rig or tall rig, and whether you have a single backstay or split backstay, then you need to measure your forestay and backstay to see if yours are the correct length. From your description, it sounds like your forestay is much too long and the backstay is much too short. If you replace them with stays of the correct length, then you should be able to adjust the rake of your rig correctly.

After you get the forestay and backstay sorted out, it's possible that you'll find that the lower stays are also too long or too short, but we can deal with that after you first figure out what's going on with the forestay and backstay.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Edited by - Steve Milby on 06/26/2023 06:30:03

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1308 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2023 : 12:00:00

Welcome to the forum Albert...

Ah... great... as expected the boat seems perfectly rigged as is. The 22 inches prove that with a rake of 4 inches the rigging is set-up well and does not need any adjustments whatsoever.

You�re are right by saying that fore and aft you have only one turnbuckle on the backstay while the forestay turnbuckle is hidden inside the furling drum and cannot be adjusted. Nor... do you need to do anything

The boat is in the water and that is where the rake issue becomes visible. The boat may not (is not) be laying on it�s waterline. Do the check. If your bow is up too high it will make the mast appear raked too far aft... It is a simple check to eye the waterline front to back to the water. You�ll find the bow up too high for sure.

Bring the bow down 3" from center of the keel times 3 times the length of the mast to the stem times 6" is 18" plus 4" rake is 22" and your problem is solved.

Your stern suspended motor will have added some extra weight, lifting the bow.

You probably do not have the big water-tank filled which is located below the V berth. Fill it and you�ll notice the bow settling down a bit more with now a little less mast rake. It may even be enough with a full tank...

You could add ballast bags or... buy a couple of 40 bottle packs of water and store them forward below in the V Berth. That for sure will make it sit on its lines and corrects the rake of the mast although I think the C250 WK will sail just as well with the bow up a little but opinions will vary widely on this subject.

Because your counterweight(keel), is concentrated in the centre of the boat it is more prone to �hobby-horsing�, than the waterballast which spreads its ballast more evenly and therefore sits better on its lines. Your WK is a little stiffer in higher winds with less heeling.

Enjoy the boat and keep us all posted

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - zeil on 06/26/2023 12:09:16

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5881 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2023 : 13:26:20

We ask our new members to include the most basic information about their boats in their "signature." If you'll look at Henk and Johanna's signature at the bottom of their post, you'll see, for example, "Mariah" 96C250WB #191. Mariah is the boat's hailing name, 96 is the production year, C250 is the model, WB stands for water ballast, and 191 is its hull number. If you'll create a similar signature, it will provide us the basic information about your boat so we can provide valid answers to your questions.

You don't have to type it every time. You can create a signature, and the forum software will automatically include it in every post.

In the upper right-hand corner of this page, just above the word "Logout" you'll see a menu. Click on the word "Profile." That will take you to your "User Profile." In the lower right-hand corner you'll see "signature." Type your signature in there. Click "yes" in the two boxes below, and then click on "Submit."

Again, welcome to the forum. I don't know of any sailing forum where you can get such detailed and knowledgeable answers, specific to your boat, as you got from Henk.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Edited by - Steve Milby on 06/26/2023 13:28:02

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1308 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2023 : 15:22:38

Good and helpful points Steve, thank you

Just one more suggestion

Although your specific question Albert is one we can all learn from as it applies to all boats.

Your topic typically could be placed in the Catalina 250 Specific Forum category

Edited by - zeil on 06/26/2023 15:25:55

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1757 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2023 : 19:38:10

Following up on Steve's first post, if you find that your stays are incorrect lengths go to Catalina Direct. They are possibly the best source for all parts for Catalina boats and have standing rigging kits, and individual head stays and back stays. An excellent and cost effective source for parts.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9044 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2023 : 20:06:51

Welcome Albert! First, we need to know what boat we're dealing with--C-25 or C-250. They are very different in many ways. The "signature" helps automate that identification for all future discussions. Another clue is to post a "boat related" question on either the C-25, C-250, or Capri 25 formum here. Our General Sailing forum is more for "sailing" discussions rather than "boat" issues. By using one of the other model-specific forums, you get the attention of those owners and thereby more specific and accurate responses.

On either the 25 or 250, a roller-furler can cover the forestay turnbuckle that is part of adjusting the rake, suggesting that part is resolved before the headsail is installed so you can get to the turnbuckle. 22" is not appropriate on either boat as far as I know--it will create excessive weather helm, wearing out your arm and slowing the boat.

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

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/28/2023 20:21:03

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