Does anyone know who manufactured the orininal traveler controls for the midship-cabin top installation? My '80 Catalina 30 only has the center car and stops and I want to install an adjustable 3:1 control and cleats to the original track and car. What fits?
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Traveler Controls
What I did on my 80 C-30 that works well was to replace each of the end bolts holding the track to cabin top with a long stainless eye bolt. I put a stainless steel ring between the bottom sheet block and the traveler car. That allowed me to attach a traveler contol line on each side of the existing car with a cammed double block on the eye bolts and small block on each side of the traveler car ring. The control is 3:1. The upgrade cost about $120 for good blocks, and has been a big improvement over the car with only stops.
What I did on my 80 C-30 that works well was to replace each of the end bolts holding the track to cabin top with a long stainless eye bolt. I put a stainless steel ring between the bottom sheet block and the traveler car. That allowed me to attach a traveler contol line on each side of the existing car with a cammed double block on the eye bolts and small block on each side of the traveler car ring. The control is 3:1. The upgrade cost about $120 for good blocks, and has been a big improvement over the car with only stops.
C30 traveler
I believe on my 1983 Catalina 39TR the traveller was made by Garhauer which I rebuilt a few years back. It's the curved type and I don't care for it. I am considering replacing it with the flat type which there is a kit for. It is expensive $555. at Catalina Direct.
I believe on my 1983 Catalina 39TR the traveller was made by Garhauer which I rebuilt a few years back. It's the curved type and I don't care for it. I am considering replacing it with the flat type which there is a kit for. It is expensive $555. at Catalina Direct.
Traveler Controls
ED, Sounds like what I was looking for. My track bolts to teak blocks, that then attach to the cabin top. Did you bolt to the blocks, or all the way through to the cabin top with the eye bolt? Did the center block also have a becket, so that the line leads from becket to ouside block, back to inside block, back to out side block and cam cleat? Do you have a photo? Thanks Jeff
ED, Sounds like what I was looking for. My track bolts to teak blocks, that then attach to the cabin top. Did you bolt to the blocks, or all the way through to the cabin top with the eye bolt? Did the center block also have a becket, so that the line leads from becket to ouside block, back to inside block, back to out side block and cam cleat? Do you have a photo? Thanks Jeff
The older C30s had NicroFico travelers
In the mid 80's Catalina replaced them with Garhauer systems. Is your track curved? If it is, consider replacing the whole mess with a new Garhauer 5:1 or 6:1 system with control lines led back to the cockpit. Pins are a broken finger - maker, or you leave the mainsheet in the middle and don't sail as well by not using one of the mainsail controls.
In the mid 80's Catalina replaced them with Garhauer systems. Is your track curved? If it is, consider replacing the whole mess with a new Garhauer 5:1 or 6:1 system with control lines led back to the cockpit. Pins are a broken finger - maker, or you leave the mainsheet in the middle and don't sail as well by not using one of the mainsail controls.
Traveler Controls, Additional
Jeff, Yes, the center block has a becket and the line starts there. I suppose you could add extra blocks at each end for extra purchase, but I have not had an issue with the 3:1. As the track is curved, I need to make sure there is enough sheet avaliable so that there is not too much strain when moving off center. The six bolts holding the track go though the teak blocks and end in nuts in the cabin below. The replacement bolts also go through the teak block and the cabin top. As I could not find a stainless steel eye bolt long enough, what I did was use a long stainless bolt from below, and a stainless female threaded eye "nut" on the top. Another nut on top of the eye nut locks the eye in place and gives a finished look. Sorry, no picture. Let me know if you still need one, and perhaps I can snap one this weekend. Good luck. ED
Jeff, Yes, the center block has a becket and the line starts there. I suppose you could add extra blocks at each end for extra purchase, but I have not had an issue with the 3:1. As the track is curved, I need to make sure there is enough sheet avaliable so that there is not too much strain when moving off center. The six bolts holding the track go though the teak blocks and end in nuts in the cabin below. The replacement bolts also go through the teak block and the cabin top. As I could not find a stainless steel eye bolt long enough, what I did was use a long stainless bolt from below, and a stainless female threaded eye "nut" on the top. Another nut on top of the eye nut locks the eye in place and gives a finished look. Sorry, no picture. Let me know if you still need one, and perhaps I can snap one this weekend. Good luck. ED
Traveler Controls
ED, What type of block did you use for the outside control? I was thinking fiddle block with cam cleat? I could not find a dual block w/ cam cleat. If you could snap a picture, that would be great! Jeff
ED, What type of block did you use for the outside control? I was thinking fiddle block with cam cleat? I could not find a dual block w/ cam cleat. If you could snap a picture, that would be great! Jeff
C-30 Traveler upgrade
The previous post is correct in the original curved traveler was made by Nicro Fico (or something like that...) I purchased the 3:1 with camcleat adjuster upgrade from Garhauer several years ago (& stayed with the curved track to $ave $). Hopefully they still offer it. Good luck!
The previous post is correct in the original curved traveler was made by Nicro Fico (or something like that...) I purchased the 3:1 with camcleat adjuster upgrade from Garhauer several years ago (& stayed with the curved track to $ave $). Hopefully they still offer it. Good luck!
Triple block
I still have the original curved track on my 80 C30. PO had replaced blocks with Garhauer. The block on the traveler is a triple. The main sheet is constantly twisting between the triple block and the aft single block. I have rerun the sheet in several routes trying to eliminate the twist but to no avail. Main sheet is 1/2", may be the cause. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions?
I still have the original curved track on my 80 C30. PO had replaced blocks with Garhauer. The block on the traveler is a triple. The main sheet is constantly twisting between the triple block and the aft single block. I have rerun the sheet in several routes trying to eliminate the twist but to no avail. Main sheet is 1/2", may be the cause. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions?
Traveler
Jeff S: See my thread re; C36MK1 Traveler replacement. I am a former C30 owner for many years. There is an inherent problem with the C30 curved track traveler and no matter what you do to remedy it - short of replacing it - it will not work up to your expectations. The first problem is the curved track was probably designed by someone at Catalina who never worked a traveler. The curve to match the cabin top may look trick but when you are trying to make a closehauled traveler adjustment you are actually trying to pull the car downhill and it makes the adjustment very difficult as any C30 owner will tell you. There were times I had to put my foot on the bulkhead to make an adjustment. The problem is the pulling angle tends to put the pressure on only 2 of the 4 rollers, all of which are probably worn out anyway. The second problem is that the Nicro car was a cheap product. It consists of 4 rubber rollers, which on older C30's are shot. No matter what you attach to the track as end cars (they could be 15:1) won't work due to the friction problems with the car itself. A straight track traveler setup is the answer and the best one for my money is the one made by Garhauer. When you think about it a straight track is obviously more efficient than a curved track - if you were a traveler car would you rather travel horizontally or on a curve. The Garhauer traveler car consist of ball bearings as opposed rubber rollers. It also looks great!!
Jeff S: See my thread re; C36MK1 Traveler replacement. I am a former C30 owner for many years. There is an inherent problem with the C30 curved track traveler and no matter what you do to remedy it - short of replacing it - it will not work up to your expectations. The first problem is the curved track was probably designed by someone at Catalina who never worked a traveler. The curve to match the cabin top may look trick but when you are trying to make a closehauled traveler adjustment you are actually trying to pull the car downhill and it makes the adjustment very difficult as any C30 owner will tell you. There were times I had to put my foot on the bulkhead to make an adjustment. The problem is the pulling angle tends to put the pressure on only 2 of the 4 rollers, all of which are probably worn out anyway. The second problem is that the Nicro car was a cheap product. It consists of 4 rubber rollers, which on older C30's are shot. No matter what you attach to the track as end cars (they could be 15:1) won't work due to the friction problems with the car itself. A straight track traveler setup is the answer and the best one for my money is the one made by Garhauer. When you think about it a straight track is obviously more efficient than a curved track - if you were a traveler car would you rather travel horizontally or on a curve. The Garhauer traveler car consist of ball bearings as opposed rubber rollers. It also looks great!!
Nicro-fico curved track
I have a C27, but I'm almost positive that we have the same setup (without seeing your boat). I replaced the disintegrated delrin sheaves this spring and have some great photos with captions explaining the process on my Yahoo Group under the photos section. CatalinaDirect.com does sell compatable replacement cars for $60 ea.
I have a C27, but I'm almost positive that we have the same setup (without seeing your boat). I replaced the disintegrated delrin sheaves this spring and have some great photos with captions explaining the process on my Yahoo Group under the photos section. CatalinaDirect.com does sell compatable replacement cars for $60 ea.
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