1989 Catalina 30 Control line size and length
- Thread starter Ron Allen
- Start date
Try using the running rigging calculator at the store on this site, click "parts" on menu to left, then "sheets and halyards".
Running Rigging Calculator
Running Rigging Calculator
They should also be in the manual.
Sources for info about your boat:
Catalina 30 Groups Link
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Catalina30 groups.io Group
*All things Catalina 30 and 309! Sponsored by the International Catalina 30 Assn IC30A. FAQs, Q&A, comments, and experiences especially fixes and modifications invited. Share with over 2200 other owners. Website catalina30.com* *Please join the International Catalina 30 Association.
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This comes from this sbo thread by weekendrken:
1992 Catalina 30
Also: www.catalina30.com
Sources for info about your boat:
Catalina 30 Groups Link
Subscribe at the web forum:
Catalina30 groups.io Group
*All things Catalina 30 and 309! Sponsored by the International Catalina 30 Assn IC30A. FAQs, Q&A, comments, and experiences especially fixes and modifications invited. Share with over 2200 other owners. Website catalina30.com* *Please join the International Catalina 30 Association.
or by sending an email to:
Catalina30+subscribe@groups.io
This comes from this sbo thread by weekendrken:
1992 Catalina 30
Also: www.catalina30.com
Attach a tag line with a hook or sew the ends together and pull it through, separate from the tag line and measure. What is a control line for the boom..........vang?
I have never relied on a manual or chart to determine final estimate of length and size for my running rigging. You never know if there have been changes made by previous owners. For instance, changing from a 4:1 mainsheet tackle to 6:1... If this has been done, there's a good chance that besides being longer, the line size has been reduced to handle the increased friction from the additional blocks in the system. That doesn't show up in a factory chart. I made that conversion and reduced the mainsheet to 5/16 but upgraded line quality from basic sta-set.... just so it ran more smoothly. You need to know the various distances on your boat, You can measure the old stuff, or use a tape measure, or look at other boat dimensions.... like the P, I, J, etc. Also, for sheets, the headsail size can make a difference.... a large 160% genoa needs longer sheets because the lazy one has further to go to wrap around the foredeck and back to the other side clew.
For a C30 I like 11mm (7/16) for a mainsheet, 10mm (3/8) for the vang line, and 8mm (5/16) for traveler control lines. Length depends on the set-up, as Joe mentioned, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1 are common, all usually have an eye splice and whip. Here's a link our Rigging Builder page, XLS3 is the default and recommended for these lines:
shop.catalinaowners.com
Running Rigging Builder - sheets and halyards
Running Rigging Builder - sheets and halyards
shop.catalinaowners.com
An 89 would be a MKII and lines should be lead aft to cabin top line clutches and that awful clam cleat for the main sheet.
All MKIIs I've seen have a 6-1 mainsheet system, which is what I have.
My manual shows the mainsheet spec is 72' of 7/16" line. I went with 75' of 3/8" NER (New England Ropes) VPC for my mainsheet.
NER Sta Set or Samson XLS3 would work just as well.
I went with 3/8" as it is plenty strong enough, grip is good and a smaller line will always go through a block easier.
I've seen MKIIs with the mainsheet lead aft from the most forward bale on the boom to the mast, then down the mast to the mast base, then to the turning blocks to go aft.
On mine I ran the line from the most forward bale on an angle down to the mast base, skipping the block where the boom meets the mast. You can see the mainsheet angled down just behind the soft boom vang in the attached photo.
That saved me the friction of going through one block and gave me room for the boom vang.
I've switched from putting eye splices on my lines to using a Halyard Hitch Knott. Easy to tie and compact.
All MKIIs I've seen have a 6-1 mainsheet system, which is what I have.
My manual shows the mainsheet spec is 72' of 7/16" line. I went with 75' of 3/8" NER (New England Ropes) VPC for my mainsheet.
NER Sta Set or Samson XLS3 would work just as well.
I went with 3/8" as it is plenty strong enough, grip is good and a smaller line will always go through a block easier.
I've seen MKIIs with the mainsheet lead aft from the most forward bale on the boom to the mast, then down the mast to the mast base, then to the turning blocks to go aft.
On mine I ran the line from the most forward bale on an angle down to the mast base, skipping the block where the boom meets the mast. You can see the mainsheet angled down just behind the soft boom vang in the attached photo.
That saved me the friction of going through one block and gave me room for the boom vang.
I've switched from putting eye splices on my lines to using a Halyard Hitch Knott. Easy to tie and compact.
I sure as hell wouldn't rely on the manual for line lengths. Not after replacing all the running rigging on my new to me 2014 Catalina 315, and discovering MOST of the lengths given in the manual were substantially too short. Gee, thanks Catalina.
I contacted Catalina and told them about all the short lines I had just bought. They emailed me the correct lengths. But wait...there's more. Those lengths were wrong too! Glad I didn't trust them the second time.
From now on, I remove the existing line and measure it. If there's no existing line, I'll figure it out with a messenger line. Adjust as needed for personal preference.
I contacted Catalina and told them about all the short lines I had just bought. They emailed me the correct lengths. But wait...there's more. Those lengths were wrong too! Glad I didn't trust them the second time.
From now on, I remove the existing line and measure it. If there's no existing line, I'll figure it out with a messenger line. Adjust as needed for personal preference.