standing rigging

FastOlson · Aug 25, 2015

Whether a small independent rigger or a larger shop like they presumably have at CD, 'bout the only question I would have going in, is when was the last time their swagger was recertified and how often are the dies replaced.
After that it gets down to the experience and expertise of the person doing the work.

Around here the rig would be made up from actual measurements of the boat or as a substitute using the old pieces as a guide, along with information about how much room was left in each turnbuckle. Only other factor that will mess up the result is depending totally on the boat model. (!) Over the decades, a prior owner may have changed or modified the rig, or it was ordered with changes, or Neptune is has it in for you...
Always measure carefully, twice, and assume.... nothing.... !

This will also be the most economical time to replace all the old wiring and coax in that spar. Look at your lighting fixtures very carefully, too.

And, replace the turnbuckles also it they are over 15 or 20 years old.

Cheers,
Loren

Stu Jackson · Aug 25, 2015

FastOlson said:
And, replace the turnbuckles also it they are over 15 or 20 years old.

Loren's right. I'd only add: replace the toggles, too, and rebed your chainplates while you're at it.

mortyd · Aug 25, 2015

if you buy rigging from catalina direct instead of catalina yachts how do you know what you are getting?

PineyWoods · Aug 25, 2015

brad minda said:
As a new owner of a Catalina 30 I plan to replace the standing rigging. I used Catalina direct for the rigging on my, now for sale Catalina 25 and was pleased. I plan to have a yard drop the mast I plan to install the rigging myself and have the mast raised again. Any reason I can't do this install my self. anyone using Catalina direct rigging and happy or unhappy.

I also plan to sail my new boat from channel islands to SF bay sometime next month. I am looking for an experienced Catalina 30 sailor on the California coast that has either done that trip or has the experience to do it to go with me.

Brad, as you probably know going N from the Channel Is can be a very demanding and unforgiving trip going pretty well straight into the prevailing NW winds, frequently peaking at 20-25K or more. I've made the trip S from Seattle to San Diego on a 37' catamaran and much of it was a wild ride - I suffered a head injury rounding Conception when my boom preventer failed in an accidental jibe.

My daughter and son-in-law have spent four summers in the Channel Is. on their well fitted out '78 Swan 41 out of SF, and dread the trip back up, getting pretty well beat up every time but not damaged, and very fatigued. They spent two years first getting all aspects of their boat in top shape: re-rigged, new main w/ triple reefs, fuel tanks cleaned, the old Perkins rebuilt, etc, etc. It will all be stress-tested!

With my '84 C-30 on Monterey Bay, while I might consider heading S (and possibly on to the Sea of Cortez, I would have it trucked back up. With an old boat quite new to you, you might consider this option...

Pete

hvbaker · Aug 25, 2015

mortyd said:
if you buy rigging from catalina direct instead of catalina yachts how do you know what you are getting?

Your question could apply to Catalina Yachts as well. How does one know what they are getting? One can read the product description. For a reputable firm they have an interest in customer satisfaction and usually try to represent accurately their product line.

mortyd · Aug 26, 2015

reptutable firms do not sell inferior imitation deck filler caps and then excuse customer complaints by saying, in my words, 'well they look the same.' this is exactly how learned that catalina direct has no connection with catalina yachts.

hvbaker, did you buy a boat made by catalina direct?

Donnybrook · Aug 26, 2015

I used CD for my standing rigging. Workmanship was excellent. Price was fair, but a little high. Turn around time was reasonable. The only complaint I had was they said wires will stretch and they made mine was too short. I can barely get a cotter pin in the turnbuckles on the shrouds and had to add a link plate to the back stay. I had sent them my old rigging and they should have know better. My old rigging was only 1/8 inch longer than factory specs. Next time I will use Seco South as they have a great reputation for quality, service and price. Also, before you start removing the rig, check all your turnbuckles to see if you need shorter stays and convey that to the jobber.

hvbaker · Aug 26, 2015

mortyd said:
reptutable firms do not sell inferior imitation deck filler caps and then excuse customer complaints by saying, in my words, 'well they look the same.' this is exactly how learned that catalina direct has no connection with catalina yachts. hvbaker, did you buy a boat made by catalina direct?

Mortyd it appears you have issues with Catalina Direct. So be it.

No I did not buy a boat from Catalina Direct, but I did buy a boat made by a company that in the past has been known you use gate valves on their thru hulls, nontined wiring in their wiring and other less than desirable materials and techniques. I only refer you to this web site.

I stand by my previous statement. Sorry you had a bad online shopping experience. As they say let the buyer beware.

Stu Jackson · Aug 26, 2015

hvb, morty doesn't like CD. http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1158467&highlight=catalina direct

You could do a search on Catalina Direct by mortyd and read for weeks. That's just an example.

I have had positive experiences with them. I just ordered a new exhaust riser. I actually talked to a human being on the --- gasp!!! --- telephone instead of using the online ordering form, which is easy, too. Very helpful fella named Ken or Kent in sales. Knowledgeable and professional.

Sometimes ya get what ya give.

Good luck.

BTW, my old plastic caps are still working just fine, although I'd have to check them more often if I were in a place where it freezes.

woodster · Aug 26, 2015

its beyond me why anyone would use anyone but SECO South for replacement rigging ...they do most of the oem stuff in this country anyway and they have great products along with great prices and timely turnaround....hell if i need an anchor lanyard i order it from them

The Garbone · Aug 26, 2015

Bought mine from the same local loft that made my new main and repaired my last 2 jibs . Keeping it local so I have someone local to go to. Price was comparable and I like the fellow.

mortyd · Aug 27, 2015

i'm flattered stu that you keep such close track of my posts.

it's just too bad you left out all my positive posts about catalina yachts, garhauer, navtech, garmin, nicro, standard horizon, practical sailor, and many others that i hope lead questioners to these fine sources.

you could read these for weeks too.

mortyd · Aug 28, 2015

while we're at it, what source of knowledge do you guys have that informs you of the exact relationship of what you order from catalina direct has to the equivalent part the manufacturer used when it built your boat? your answer might help the rest of us unaware.

hvbaker · Aug 28, 2015

mortyd said:
while we're at it, what source of knowledge do you guys have that informs you of the exact relationship of what you order from catalina direct has to the equivalent part the manufacturer used when it built your boat? your answer might help the rest of us unaware.

Mortyd, Catalina Yachts made many changes over the long production run of the Catalina 30. There is no guarantee that if you order a part today from Catalina Yachts that it will be the same part by the same manufacture that was used on the boat you have. Sailboats are not like cars each one is an individual. I buy parts from many different vendors. It has been my experience that CD is reputable and they have a lot of parts in inventory. Do I use them exclusively? No there prices tend to be high. I shop around. I have used them in the past and will likely in the future.

woodster · Aug 28, 2015

mortyd said:
while we're at it, what source of knowledge do you guys have that informs you of the exact relationship of what you order from catalina direct has to the equivalent part the manufacturer used when it built your boat? your answer might help the rest of us unaware.

the only thing that is proprietary on these boat ...by any manufacture is the hull and interior everything else is bought from a vendor of some sort and usually bought on an OEM pricing and all the vendors are constantly vying for the business ...so components change from time to time when i manufactured boat trailers there was always a salesman trying to get me to use there products if i wasn't even the bolt and nut companies...

mortyd · Aug 28, 2015

i'll ask it again and hope i never need to again. if there was a company named honda direct that sold unidentified parts not from honda. would you put them in your car? and, yes, honda has changed parts over the years. what does that have to do with the question here? all i'm trying to do is alert people that catalina direct is only using the catalina name. maybe we should change this site name to 'buyer beware' as another poster suggested.

Stu Jackson · Aug 28, 2015

mortyd said:
i'm flattered stu that you keep such close track of my posts.

it's just too bad you left out all my positive posts about catalina yachts, garhauer, navtech, garmin, nicro, standard horizon, practical sailor, and many others that i hope lead questioners to these fine sources.

you could read these for weeks too.

Morty, you well know that was not the point of my post. The reason I remember is you're kinda repetitive about your dislike of CD because of your bad experience there. I'm sorry it happened to you.

Take your list: CY made just the hull & deck, Garhauer does the blocks. All the rest is NON-"Catalina" and, yes, they are fine sources, many of which we choose to ADD to our boats. The "rest" of my OEM boat is made from non-Catalina parts: Railmakers did the pulpits, someone else made the spars, all the pumps are from somebody else, Catalina didn't make the hoses, or the engine for that matter, nor the stove. Oh, wait, maybe the cushions.

Your analogies don't make much sense.

Why not just give it a rest?

I purchase from CD and have been happy with their service and their products. They started out being a Catalina 22 stock source and grew, anybody can read their history on their website.

mortyd · Aug 28, 2015

my analogies make perfect sense. boeing makes few parts on their airplanes, but they are BOEING AIRPLANES. the manufacturer controls what goes into the final product not a third oarty using the manufacturer's name. and stu, you well know how much praise i have given products that you and i have agreed on, to many sources for our boats. it's not that i had a bad experience with cd, but why. my 'repetetive' posts to possibly new questioners will not end as long as i contribute to this forum. now give guido a call and buy a new ball bearing block for the top of your halyard.

Kingjim91 · Sep 1, 2015

I have to chime in as a big supporter of Catalina Direct. I discovered their website when I bought a C-22 several years ago. I did a search on "Catalina sailboat." I'm glad they have Catalina in their name, else I would have never found this great resource. I have since moved up to a C-30, and CD was a big factor in my decision to stay with Catalina.
The beauty is that they cater exclusively to us Catalina owners (There's no Hunter Direct ). They've done all the homework for us on the various models and changes over the years. You can get right down to the part you need through their on-line catalog. They're adding new items all the time.
Sometimes they even go to the trouble of redesigning and retooling a part that's not available otherwise.
Out of dozens of parts I've ordered for 2 boats, I've never had a quality problem or mixed up order. They're helpful on the telephone. Pricing is competitive, especially considering their specialized niche.
Not my only source for boat needs, of course, but I wouldn't want anyone to be misled by morty's single incident with fuel caps years ago. He's hung up on what their company name is, and blind to the valuable service they provide us.