First time putting main on boat

[awerman]

Putting my 1984 Catalina c-25 in the water Thursday for my first season as a sailboat owner. When I put the mainsail on her should I thread the rope foot in the boom first or should I feed the luff first? Which way is easier/safer? Why?

 

[hewebb]

Boom first is what we do on the race boat.

 

[awerman]

Thanks. I was concerned about wind catching the main while in the slip.

 

[Ward H]

Thanks. I was concerned about wind catching the main while in the slip.

That is a definite concern.
Boom first, then luff. Try to pick a calm day. I look for an early morning or late evening when the wind is nil.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You should also get to know these skippers

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3

 

[watercolors II]

Dos and don'ts

Do not rig or raise the mainsail while the boat is tied to the dock unless, the wind is coming straight over the bow. If the wind gets into the main while trying to raise it, it will never go up the mast.

Motor the boat into clear water and keep the boat moving straight into the wind with the motor to raise the mainsail.

ALWAYS raise and lower the main sail with the bow pointed straight into the wind.

The headsail can be raised with the wind coming from any direction but, you’ll find when lowering it the best angle is into the wind.

Raise the main FIRST and take it down LAST until you get the feel of what is going on.