I read in the owners manual that the 25' 1985 catalina i just acquired called for braided dacron rope for all the rigging sheets. I went to my marine supply and all they carry is polyester, because they say it is preferable. The manual is 17 years old. should I go with the polyester.
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Yes!
Definitely go forth with the double braid polyester for your running rigging. You want high strength and low stretch while being soft and easy to handle. How do you like your Catalina 25? I had one for about 10 years. I kept it on a mooring and my kids grew up from age 2 sailing on it on summer weekends and vacations. Dave
Definitely go forth with the double braid polyester for your running rigging. You want high strength and low stretch while being soft and easy to handle. How do you like your Catalina 25? I had one for about 10 years. I kept it on a mooring and my kids grew up from age 2 sailing on it on summer weekends and vacations. Dave
thanks
thanks Dave, I am a doit yourselfer and a neophite with this boat and the net. I have built all kinds of things, trial and error and manuals. I discovered this site looking for some parts, etc. I was so impressed with the forum of questions and responses from real experienced voices sharing their wisdom and an obvious love and lore of sailing that I must say I am very encouraged and appreciative. I have sailed this boat for a year-graduating from a 13' Goldfish. I have enjoyed it so that i have committed to completely renovating it. Thanks for the advice to one of my many quandrys.
thanks Dave, I am a doit yourselfer and a neophite with this boat and the net. I have built all kinds of things, trial and error and manuals. I discovered this site looking for some parts, etc. I was so impressed with the forum of questions and responses from real experienced voices sharing their wisdom and an obvious love and lore of sailing that I must say I am very encouraged and appreciative. I have sailed this boat for a year-graduating from a 13' Goldfish. I have enjoyed it so that i have committed to completely renovating it. Thanks for the advice to one of my many quandrys.
Catalina 25
One of the things I disliked on the catalina was the wiring for the mast. Since it is deck stepped they ran the wires inside the laminate for the deck and had a connector at the base of the mast. The wiring all corroded (corrosion will travel inside the plastic) and since it was laminated inside the deck I couldn't replace it. I ended up driling a hole through the deck and running good quality pre-tinned wire down the mast support into the lockers and behind the galley and to the electrical panel. It worked great after that. The thing I hated the most was the complete lack of ventilation in the boat causing lots of mildew when stored. My current boat (O'Day 35) has dorade vents and the difference is so remarkable Iif I had the Catalina now I would put in powered vents. Happy sailing Dave
One of the things I disliked on the catalina was the wiring for the mast. Since it is deck stepped they ran the wires inside the laminate for the deck and had a connector at the base of the mast. The wiring all corroded (corrosion will travel inside the plastic) and since it was laminated inside the deck I couldn't replace it. I ended up driling a hole through the deck and running good quality pre-tinned wire down the mast support into the lockers and behind the galley and to the electrical panel. It worked great after that. The thing I hated the most was the complete lack of ventilation in the boat causing lots of mildew when stored. My current boat (O'Day 35) has dorade vents and the difference is so remarkable Iif I had the Catalina now I would put in powered vents. Happy sailing Dave
Dacron = Polyester
Dacron is just a particular trademark for the more generic polyester fiber. If you use braided polyester running rigging, watch for twists and kinks (some people call them "cockles," or something like that) that can set in. It doesn't like being flaked into neat loops all the time. It has to do with the lay of the core. Had one or two instances where (a) a cockle jammed into my jib sheet block during a tack, and (b) where the mainsheet twisted back upon itself between the boom to traveler blocks. I throw the bitter ends of my sheets down onto the cabin sole to keep them relatively unsnarled. --Ron
Dacron is just a particular trademark for the more generic polyester fiber. If you use braided polyester running rigging, watch for twists and kinks (some people call them "cockles," or something like that) that can set in. It doesn't like being flaked into neat loops all the time. It has to do with the lay of the core. Had one or two instances where (a) a cockle jammed into my jib sheet block during a tack, and (b) where the mainsheet twisted back upon itself between the boom to traveler blocks. I throw the bitter ends of my sheets down onto the cabin sole to keep them relatively unsnarled. --Ron
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