A few short Cat22 newbie questions

[BVLew]

Thanks for earlier replies to my queries about scuppers and mast/electrical connections. Scuppers are in, I've decided to address electrical in the off-season.

Now that I've had the 1984 C-22 out a few times, I'm wondering if the POs EVER actually sailed with it over the last 42 years! No outhaul, no boom vang, original Arco winches with cam cleats not on risers so the winches jam with more than 2 wraps.....

New 4-1 outhaul now on, vang goes on next weekend, went with "Barton Winchers" for now until I get the boat-bucks for new self-tailing winches (I mostly singlehand). Also added a Tiller Tamer, winch handle holder (I don't have coaming cubbies -- again, where did POs put the handle while out?), miscellaneous little tweaks.

Now a few quick questions, even after reviewing the various editions of the Tech Manuals....

* What tiller extensions are people using? I don't quite have the tools/skills for making the one in the 2014 Tech Manual. CD offers two: 19-32" and 27-48". Any preferences? Other options?

* I still have a wire main halyard, no winch on mast or cabin-top. So: Can I switch to all-rope halyard? If so, recommendations for what to use? I have no bands on mast or boom -- does main just go up as far as I can get it (I do have a downhaul, no cunningham), or does head end up caught by backstay? Where does band go on boom?

* What amount of heel does the C-22 like? I was surprised to be at 15-20 degrees in 10-12 knots, with full main and 135 genoa, just me on board. Felt overpowered but it wasn't that windy. Is this normal?

* If I decide to just remount cam-cleats (instead of getting self-tailing winches), is the CD (Harken) angled cleat riser the best option? Other choices people have preferred?

More to come, I'm sure . Thanks for all your help and wisdom.

Bruce

 

[cephius (Dave)]

If you felt overpowered, you were! 10-12 knots is about the max for a day sailor. Reduce sail! You know your overpowered when the rudder can't correct the weather helm. As for heel, racers try to keep their boats flat. The C22 is well designed. Sail at a heel angle you are comfortable at. Keep water out of the cockpit You will soon learn where the boar performs best at.

 

[ShawnL]

I have a '74. Most of the things you mention were considered "normal" from the factory. No boom vang, tiny traveler, small winches. Mine didn't even have cam cleats, old-school T-cleats.

I've never needed the winch handle. The loads are small enough that with 2-3 wraps on the winch, my wife can manage the jib just fine. I added harken cam cleats a year or 2 ago, just to make life easier. Added a bang a year or 2 before that.

My mast wasn't marked or anything either. When I got a new main last year, I just raised it all the way, pulled the boom down until it was pretty much as tight as I thought I would ever want it and tightened the stop the boom sits on.

If you want to switch to all rope halyards, I believe you need to change the rollers at the top of the mast. Take look at the Catalina Direct kits -- see what parts they provide for the conversion. CD is not always the lowest cost, but their kits are usually well put together and will show you what they think you need for the job.