Hey guys. I have a new (to me) catalina 22. I raised the mast, got the backstay and fore stay adjusted. The upper and aft lower went on fairly easy. But for the life of me i cant get both fore lowers attatched at the same time. I can get one or the other but never both at the same time. Ive loosened all the shroud turnbuckles as far as i could but it just wont reach. I know it can be done because the mast was up when i bought it and the previous owner was about 70. If he can find a way to get it done then theres got to be a way for me to do it. Any advice is greatly appreciated
cant attach lower shrouds
- Thread starter Skippy
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A few thoughts. How much mast rake do you have? It might be possible that you have too much rearward rake which would possible make it hard to attach the lower forward shrouds. I always attach all shrouds before adjusting anything. It is much easier that way.
Another question. Are the turnbuckles bent? If they are they must be replaced. Usually you can replace the threaded ends and reuse the body.
I think attaching all the hardware before adjusting is probably your best remedy. One method leave the forestay until last, attach everything else and leave all adjustable items fully extended. Then use the boat trailer winch or the mainsheet assembly to pull the forestay forward enough to attach it to the bow.
Good luck, Ray
Another question. Are the turnbuckles bent? If they are they must be replaced. Usually you can replace the threaded ends and reuse the body.
I think attaching all the hardware before adjusting is probably your best remedy. One method leave the forestay until last, attach everything else and leave all adjustable items fully extended. Then use the boat trailer winch or the mainsheet assembly to pull the forestay forward enough to attach it to the bow.
Good luck, Ray
Skippy,
Do you have the original manual for the boat? The overall eye to eye length will be there. If not, they are easy to find. You may find it here on this site.
Anyhow, judging by your description, it sounds as if the lowers may be too short.
Also, I would bet they may NOT be original, so who knows.
The worst case senario would be to re-step the mast to confirm what the correct length of shroud is......
CR
Do you have the original manual for the boat? The overall eye to eye length will be there. If not, they are easy to find. You may find it here on this site.
Anyhow, judging by your description, it sounds as if the lowers may be too short.
Also, I would bet they may NOT be original, so who knows.
The worst case senario would be to re-step the mast to confirm what the correct length of shroud is......
CR
I would check to make sure that you are not attaching the wrong shroud to the wrong chainplate. Stainless steel cable wires can stretch but I have never heard of them shrinking. Make sure the rigging is not crossed at the top of the mast. You cannot leave the mast up without all of the shrouds installed, so U may have to lower it to verify the lengths of each shroud. If your mast rests in a tabernacle base with a large bolt that runs through it to secure, then the fore & back stays are the most important rigging lines, but all of them are essential. Releasing all of the turnbuckles to their longest length may help, & attach the problematic shrouds first, then the remaining standing rigging & tighten in sequence.
I agree. My guess is that you've got the forward lower shrouds attached to the aft chainplate, and the aft lower shrouds are just not quite long enough to get to the for ward chainplates. Both lowers connect to the spreader brackets side by side, so it would be easy to get them crossed.
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