I also noticed on my 2005 310, that the boom vang appears to be a non-adjusting hard vang. Is this correct? There are no lines to pull or release, only a couple of pin settings on the vang itself. If in fact this IS a non-adjusting vang, it looks like I may get to spend some more money on a new vang.
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Vang relationship with Furling Main
Tim - I notice your other post about difficulty with your new Furling Main. Wonder if the two things (fixed vang/furling main) aren't related? I don't have a furling main, but from what I've read, the position of the boom (which would be controlled by the vang) has a lot to do with how well furlers work. Just a thought. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Tim - I notice your other post about difficulty with your new Furling Main. Wonder if the two things (fixed vang/furling main) aren't related? I don't have a furling main, but from what I've read, the position of the boom (which would be controlled by the vang) has a lot to do with how well furlers work. Just a thought. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Non-adjustable Vang?
I got to find out more about this. I don't know how I would adjust sail twist without adjusting the vang. Our C310 has a vang adjusting line led to the stopper just next to the main halyard.
I got to find out more about this. I don't know how I would adjust sail twist without adjusting the vang. Our C310 has a vang adjusting line led to the stopper just next to the main halyard.
HUH?
You have a new 2005 and you don't know what you bought with it? How about calling your dealer? And checking your manuals. Tim on April IV is right about the furling.
You have a new 2005 and you don't know what you bought with it? How about calling your dealer? And checking your manuals. Tim on April IV is right about the furling.
Thanks Stu for the advice, BUT
this being my third boat, and knowing exactly what I wanted on the boat, I suppose I should have covered the vang. Adding different vangs to my boat, however is not covered in the options that were offered. Given what past 310 owners have recieved with their new boats, I assumed that I would have an adjustable hard vang. My assumption is wrong though...not due to stupidity Stu, due to what has been offered in the past. Contrary to what you might think of my original post, I do actually know something about sailing and rigging. I just wanted to know if other Catalina owners have a similar vang on their boats.
this being my third boat, and knowing exactly what I wanted on the boat, I suppose I should have covered the vang. Adding different vangs to my boat, however is not covered in the options that were offered. Given what past 310 owners have recieved with their new boats, I assumed that I would have an adjustable hard vang. My assumption is wrong though...not due to stupidity Stu, due to what has been offered in the past. Contrary to what you might think of my original post, I do actually know something about sailing and rigging. I just wanted to know if other Catalina owners have a similar vang on their boats.
Talked to my dealer, and apparently...
Catalina has moved to a fixed strut, non-adjustable vang on many models. I assume this will last for about a year since I (and a lot of other people) have always used my vang to trim the sails, and I don't like not being able to do this. Technically, according to my dealer, you should not need to ease the boom vang to use the furling main. Looks like I will be purchasing an adjustable hard vang...
Catalina has moved to a fixed strut, non-adjustable vang on many models. I assume this will last for about a year since I (and a lot of other people) have always used my vang to trim the sails, and I don't like not being able to do this. Technically, according to my dealer, you should not need to ease the boom vang to use the furling main. Looks like I will be purchasing an adjustable hard vang...
Sorry, Tim
and no buts about it. That sound very odd to me. You may want to talk to Gerry Douglas at the factory. He's easy to reach with just a call. Catalina has been using Garhauer gear forever, who as you know makes the great rigid adjustable vang. And I find it extremely odd that they'd put an essentially useless piece of hardware on a boat as nice as yours. If it's rigid and not adjustable, I think we can agree that it's not a vang, by definition.
It could well be that a loose footed main needs less control, but I don't know that and don't have experience with them, except for a Beneteau 500 int he BVIs which had an adjustable vang. That could be a factory design decision. The more I think about it, the more I would urge you to call Gerry and talk about it, before you even consider replacing it. Maybe some sea trials will help explain it. Fair winds, Stu
and no buts about it. That sound very odd to me. You may want to talk to Gerry Douglas at the factory. He's easy to reach with just a call. Catalina has been using Garhauer gear forever, who as you know makes the great rigid adjustable vang. And I find it extremely odd that they'd put an essentially useless piece of hardware on a boat as nice as yours. If it's rigid and not adjustable, I think we can agree that it's not a vang, by definition.
It could well be that a loose footed main needs less control, but I don't know that and don't have experience with them, except for a Beneteau 500 int he BVIs which had an adjustable vang. That could be a factory design decision. The more I think about it, the more I would urge you to call Gerry and talk about it, before you even consider replacing it. Maybe some sea trials will help explain it. Fair winds, StuNo problem Stu...
I find it very odd as well, so I will take your advice and call Gerry Douglas to get the scoop. Thanks and fair winds to you also...
I find it very odd as well, so I will take your advice and call Gerry Douglas to get the scoop. Thanks and fair winds to you also...
Tell me it isn't so!!
Tim, I just purchased hull #295 a 2005 C-310 but the rig is still packed away and won't be stepped for a few weeks. My boat has the RF main and I certainly hope it does not have a non adjustable vang that's just plain cheap on Catalina's part! What next optional halyards??? -Rodd C. Please e-mail me so we can compare notes about our C-310 buying experience at.... halekai36@hotmail.com Or go to my web site and e-mail me from there just follow "related link"
Tim, I just purchased hull #295 a 2005 C-310 but the rig is still packed away and won't be stepped for a few weeks. My boat has the RF main and I certainly hope it does not have a non adjustable vang that's just plain cheap on Catalina's part! What next optional halyards??? -Rodd C. Please e-mail me so we can compare notes about our C-310 buying experience at.... halekai36@hotmail.com Or go to my web site and e-mail me from there just follow "related link"
Tell us how the phone call goes Tim
I suspect that a solid boom support (you can hardly call it a vang) would solve some problems with jammed sails when furling,but at the cost of loss of sail control. Is your boat boom furled or mast furled Tim?
I suspect that a solid boom support (you can hardly call it a vang) would solve some problems with jammed sails when furling,but at the cost of loss of sail control. Is your boat boom furled or mast furled Tim?
The boat is mast furled
And according to my dealer, the non-adjustable vang (as it it detailed in the literature) is not necessary to use when furling, unfurling etc. Guess we will see. I won't be able to call Gerry until I can get some time during the day, but I will let everyone know what he says when I speak to him.
And according to my dealer, the non-adjustable vang (as it it detailed in the literature) is not necessary to use when furling, unfurling etc. Guess we will see. I won't be able to call Gerry until I can get some time during the day, but I will let everyone know what he says when I speak to him.
Furling main
I purchased my 310 in 2003 with the furling main. Once you get used to it, the operation is very easy. The key is to have the boom slightly higher than the horizontal plane and the mainsheet loose when furling or unfurling. After unfurling, you use the boom vang to tighten the mainsail leech. I wonder if Catalina had complaints about difficult operation and decided it would be easier to use a rigid boom support to force the boom to the correct position? Charleston Spar makes the furling main and their web site is worth visiting for technical and troubleshooting information.
I purchased my 310 in 2003 with the furling main. Once you get used to it, the operation is very easy. The key is to have the boom slightly higher than the horizontal plane and the mainsheet loose when furling or unfurling. After unfurling, you use the boom vang to tighten the mainsail leech. I wonder if Catalina had complaints about difficult operation and decided it would be easier to use a rigid boom support to force the boom to the correct position? Charleston Spar makes the furling main and their web site is worth visiting for technical and troubleshooting information.
Just an update...
Took the boat across Lake Erie this past weekend on it's maiden voyage back to my home port. It was an 8 hour trip, and everything went well. The Main seemed to work fine (apparently the dealer made whatever adjustments...probably to the hallyard) with just the non-adjustable vang. I was able to trim it off with the outhaul, traveler, and mainsheet. Having a few other small issues, however, the engine runs great, and it seems that the rigging is working just as well. Thanks for everyone's input.
Took the boat across Lake Erie this past weekend on it's maiden voyage back to my home port. It was an 8 hour trip, and everything went well. The Main seemed to work fine (apparently the dealer made whatever adjustments...probably to the hallyard) with just the non-adjustable vang. I was able to trim it off with the outhaul, traveler, and mainsheet. Having a few other small issues, however, the engine runs great, and it seems that the rigging is working just as well. Thanks for everyone's input.
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