We have a Catalina 30 and are replacing the Jib and Main sheets.
Can you suggest a length for these?
Can you suggest a length for these?
Sheet length/diameter
- Thread starter Hisannah
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What year C30 do you have? My main sheet was 82' with a 7/16" diameter. The jib sheet I use is 1/2" (or some metric equivalent) I think the specs call for 80'. I have a rigging spec sheet for your boat but I can't upload it for some reason. I can email it to you if you send me your email PM.
www.catalina30.org or .com should have the manual for your boat. The larger your jib, the longer the sheets need to be.
too big...
As far as length, you should just measure what you already have and adjust accordingly.
Most C-30 owners would say that 3/8 is perfectly good for all halyards and sheets. Some (like me) use 7/16 on the sheets for a more comfortable "hand" (grip and feel). The use of 1/2 is overkill.
As far as length, you should just measure what you already have and adjust accordingly.
If he had the lines already he wouldn't be asking us.
There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to comfort.
Stu-the 80' jib sheet length is the longest in the specs. 70' is a jib sheet 80' is for the genoa.
No confidence in the existing setup versus design specification if available. Also some practical familiarity (local Knowledge) is always helpful
Design spec is a good basis, also practical experience is useful: 1.5xbl for sheets is generic, what if 150% genoa vs trisail ? A storm is the wrong time to adjust your sheets.If he had the lines already he wouldn't be asking us.
There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to comfort.
Stu-the 80' jib sheet length is the longest in the specs. 70' is a jib sheet 80' is for the genoa.
If you have self tailing winches, then make sure that you have the right diameter for them. Check with the winch specs. for this. 1.5 times is enough for genoa sheets unless you have a cutter rig or baby stay, then you have to add for the extra travel.
The main sheet length depends on the set up. In my case I have a 4 part system. I tied a line to the boom block and pushed the boom all the way out and marked the other end by the traveler in mid ship position. Then just multiplied by the amount of sheaves and added extra for the diameters and the tail to the back of the boat.
The main sheet length depends on the set up. In my case I have a 4 part system. I tied a line to the boom block and pushed the boom all the way out and marked the other end by the traveler in mid ship position. Then just multiplied by the amount of sheaves and added extra for the diameters and the tail to the back of the boat.
Hisannah,
Go to the Defender warehouse and retail store in Waterford (since you are in New London it should be easy). In the back room where they do rigging and cut line for catalog sales they have all kinds of remnants hanging on the wall with price tags that are for sale. You can get great deals on line in there of all different kinds and assorted lengths. Some people like to use different colors for their sheets and halyards so this is a good way to pick out different colors. Be careful about buying all kinds of other stuff while you are in there as you have to walk through the retail store to get to the line remnant rack. I have never gone there without also buying something I never intended to buy when I first went in.
Go to the Defender warehouse and retail store in Waterford (since you are in New London it should be easy). In the back room where they do rigging and cut line for catalog sales they have all kinds of remnants hanging on the wall with price tags that are for sale. You can get great deals on line in there of all different kinds and assorted lengths. Some people like to use different colors for their sheets and halyards so this is a good way to pick out different colors. Be careful about buying all kinds of other stuff while you are in there as you have to walk through the retail store to get to the line remnant rack. I have never gone there without also buying something I never intended to buy when I first went in.
If you have cheek blocks at the aft end of your cockpit, the sheets will have to be longer. All this is good advice, including my earlier one, but why not simply MEASURE on your boat?
Isosceles showed us that A(squared)+B(squared)=C(squared), the hypotenuse of the 'right triangle'. Therefore the square root of C(squared) plus a length for a knot, five turns around the drum a tail of some length and a stop knot... There, you have it!!! At $1.5 to $4.0 per foot I wish to avoid both spaghetti under foot and chasing the tail up to the sheave when I tack.
This is a good reason to have a long length of some cheap line - or leftover old line - in your boating kit. Just run the line wherever you will be using it and measure the length needed, then get the good stuff in the size that you want (obviously, don't sail with the junk). For a sail, do this with a very light wind, or no wind.
Even if you use someone else's measurement, they may be rigged a bit different, or you may want to be able to reach the end of the line from a different location - whatever - measuring for you and your boat is best.
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