Bolt Rope Shrinkage

[MarcP]

We are still having problems trimming our mainsail on our Catalina 30 TR. When we hoist the main the sail stops about 6 to 8 inches before the masthead. We were told that this is normal on the 30TR. We even tested trying to pull up a single sail slide which wnnt to the top with no problem. When we have the sail hoisted as far as it will go and release the topping lift and the boom gets very droopy. Almost hits the dodger.Someone mentioned that the bolt rope in the main may have shrunk over time and is actually limiting how high we can hoist the main resulting in a the leech being too long and a droopy boom. We have the original Catalina supplied sails and they appear to be in good shape except for this problem.Would like to hear from other 30TR owners to confirm that the sail does not go all the way to the top of the mast and any other ideas on what might be causing our problem.Thanks in advanceMarcP

 

[Tim Dranttel]

Age of sail?

MarcP,With out knowing the age of the sail, that fact that you said it is original to your 30TR makes me think that your sail is old and blown out. I sail an '86 30TR in the light winds of north Florida and am on the second set of sails that are nearing the end of their life. I doubt that your bolt rope would shrink. Assuming you are puting the correct tention on your halyard would stretch your bolt rope over time not shrink it. My mainsail stops about 6 inches from the top when it is fully tentioned. Assuming your reefing lines on the luff of the sail are loose, your mainsail sounds to me like it is reaching its proper hieght. A leech that is as loose as you have described makes it sound to me like the sail is blown. Do you have alot of weather helm above about 10-15 knots of wind? The TR should almost balance out in that breeze. Alot of weather helm could be from a blown sail where the draft has increased and moved aft.My two centsTim

 

[Ed]

Seems Normal

Marc,The height you raise the sail seems normal to me. I still have an original main, and it goes up to about 8" short of the top of the mast.Maybe the design of your Dodger is too high. If you want, I could measure the floor to the top of the dodger this weekend and let you know next monday.Ed

 

[MarcP]

Sails may be blown out

Ed,The dodger is original and I am pretty sure that is not the problem as the boom hangs considerably lower at the aft end. Tim has stated the sail may be blown out which may be the case. The sails as best I can tell are original from 1985, but they are still crisp and do not seem to have any worn spots or stitching problems.Marc

 

[Dave Emery]

Bolt Rope

Yes, this does happen. I have a 1990 Catalina 34 that had the same problem. Main would not raise all the way and the aft end of the boom would drag over the dodger. I took the sail to a sail maker and for a nominal charge he corrected it. The sail now raises to the proper hight and allows plenty of clearance for the dodger. Before you replace your sail, have a sail maker take a look and give you his / her thoughts. Good Luck,Dave

 

[Joe Barrett]

Loosen Boom Vang and Mainsheet

I had a problem getting full hoist and solved it by making sure the boom vang is loose and mainsheet,and reef line loose to get full hoist. I think the boom vang was the culpret.