Don, What would you call this arrangement? A mainsheet/vang system? Anything different about sail trim controls with this type of set-up? This is the setup on my C27. Seems to work fine, but I would sure like some additional knowledge about it's design and operation.
Don what would you call this?
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Do what woud you call this?
Bill: It is the standard mainsheet / traveler that Catalina has been using for 1000 years. There are better setups but their system works OK. The mainsheet is not a substitute for the boom vang. The problem with the mainsheet and its ability to pull the boom down is when the boom gets over the side of the boat, the pulling force because of the angle, is reduced to next to nothing and the boom rises, which is exactly what you don't want it to do. A boom vang prevents the boom from rising and allows you to pull the boom down. If you don't have a boom vang you should consider one and Garhauer Marine make an excellent line of boom vangs. Check out their web site at WWWgarhauermarine.com. T There is one change to the displayed system that I made on my C30. The block that is located on the mast just forward of the boom is unnecessary. The only reason it was placed there was to make it easy to get under the boom. It has nothing to do with any mechanical advantage and is merely a turning block and it becomes just another spot for friction. If a mate has a boom vang then that mast block becomes totally unnecessary because now the boom vang is blocking access.
Bill: It is the standard mainsheet / traveler that Catalina has been using for 1000 years. There are better setups but their system works OK. The mainsheet is not a substitute for the boom vang. The problem with the mainsheet and its ability to pull the boom down is when the boom gets over the side of the boat, the pulling force because of the angle, is reduced to next to nothing and the boom rises, which is exactly what you don't want it to do. A boom vang prevents the boom from rising and allows you to pull the boom down. If you don't have a boom vang you should consider one and Garhauer Marine make an excellent line of boom vangs. Check out their web site at WWWgarhauermarine.com. T There is one change to the displayed system that I made on my C30. The block that is located on the mast just forward of the boom is unnecessary. The only reason it was placed there was to make it easy to get under the boom. It has nothing to do with any mechanical advantage and is merely a turning block and it becomes just another spot for friction. If a mate has a boom vang then that mast block becomes totally unnecessary because now the boom vang is blocking access.
Ready to buy
Don, I'm ready to purchase my first C30 in Long Beach in the next 3-4 months (too bad for me you're moving). I Installed a vang on my old C22 to prevent this off the wind lift (which happened to a ridiculous degree). Adding a (sheet and block) vang will be one of my first projects on the C30. Your mainsheet modification suggested below is pretty straight-forward, and I intend on making it. But I'm concerned that adding the vang might crowd things up and cause conflicts at the mast base. Is there anything to worry about?
Don, I'm ready to purchase my first C30 in Long Beach in the next 3-4 months (too bad for me you're moving). I Installed a vang on my old C22 to prevent this off the wind lift (which happened to a ridiculous degree). Adding a (sheet and block) vang will be one of my first projects on the C30. Your mainsheet modification suggested below is pretty straight-forward, and I intend on making it. But I'm concerned that adding the vang might crowd things up and cause conflicts at the mast base. Is there anything to worry about?
Ready to buy
Anchor Down: Good luck with your purchase of a C30. I know you will like the boat. We sure have. We've owned ours for over 8 years having moved up from a MacGregor 22 to a Catalina 25 and eventually to a C30. It is beamy and forgiving plus very easy to sail. It was music to my ears every time my wife said "I wonder if we should consider a larger boat". I was in the want ads the next day!! Do not worry about the Garhauer rigid vang crowding up the mast area. It takes up no more room than a soft vang. Both take up the same amount of space. You should wander around the docks in Alamitos Bay and you'll see a number of C30's with the Garhauer setup and you'll see what I mean. If your looking at an older C30 that has a bunch of black blocks, the first mod you should make is to trash those blocks and get a set of mainsheet conversions blocks from Garhauer. The set you buy does not have the block I referred to on the mast because it is not needed. Additionally, if the boat has a curved track traveler, trash that also and get the Garhauer straight track traveler. You'll be glad you did. Set aside a few hundred $$$ for these mods as they will make your sailing experience so much more enjoyable. It is no fun fighting your sail trim controls.
Anchor Down: Good luck with your purchase of a C30. I know you will like the boat. We sure have. We've owned ours for over 8 years having moved up from a MacGregor 22 to a Catalina 25 and eventually to a C30. It is beamy and forgiving plus very easy to sail. It was music to my ears every time my wife said "I wonder if we should consider a larger boat". I was in the want ads the next day!! Do not worry about the Garhauer rigid vang crowding up the mast area. It takes up no more room than a soft vang. Both take up the same amount of space. You should wander around the docks in Alamitos Bay and you'll see a number of C30's with the Garhauer setup and you'll see what I mean. If your looking at an older C30 that has a bunch of black blocks, the first mod you should make is to trash those blocks and get a set of mainsheet conversions blocks from Garhauer. The set you buy does not have the block I referred to on the mast because it is not needed. Additionally, if the boat has a curved track traveler, trash that also and get the Garhauer straight track traveler. You'll be glad you did. Set aside a few hundred $$$ for these mods as they will make your sailing experience so much more enjoyable. It is no fun fighting your sail trim controls.
Thanks, Don
I'm way ahead of you: I've eaten a "mess" @ Schooner's on a Saturday morning and then walked the docks, looking at boats and dreaming about the good days to come more than once. InRe: the replacement "set" by Garhauer you mention: is it labeled specifically for the C30? You post seems to indicate that it is. Or is it just a matter of replacing my individual pieces with Garhauer equivalents (minus the superfluous turning block)? The boat I'm looking at currently is an '87. I'm assuming it would carry the newer mainsheet arrangement. The current owner has already changed out the factory traveler for the Garhauer, so I'm good there. I'd heard the factory units were junk. This boat is a bit heavy in owner-installed electronics for this minimalist. But I guess the radar will be useful for that central coast summer fog… Thanks for the advice & encouragement.
I'm way ahead of you: I've eaten a "mess" @ Schooner's on a Saturday morning and then walked the docks, looking at boats and dreaming about the good days to come more than once. InRe: the replacement "set" by Garhauer you mention: is it labeled specifically for the C30? You post seems to indicate that it is. Or is it just a matter of replacing my individual pieces with Garhauer equivalents (minus the superfluous turning block)? The boat I'm looking at currently is an '87. I'm assuming it would carry the newer mainsheet arrangement. The current owner has already changed out the factory traveler for the Garhauer, so I'm good there. I'd heard the factory units were junk. This boat is a bit heavy in owner-installed electronics for this minimalist. But I guess the radar will be useful for that central coast summer fog… Thanks for the advice & encouragement.
Don, Where is your vang connected?
Don, When you removed the forward block, did you connect your vang to the bail where the block was connected?
Don, When you removed the forward block, did you connect your vang to the bail where the block was connected?
Thanks Don
Anchor Down: Yup, been there done that at walking the docks. I've got some great ideas from looking at other mates boats. It is called a "mainsheeet conversion kit" and it is specifically designed for the C30. ALL mainsheet blocks are replaced except the one at the mast but you can get that one also if you want. There is no reason to add it but the choice is yours. The curved track traveler was junk when they designed it and over time it just gets worse. The traveler car runs on 4 rubber rollers, which fall apart over time. The track curve matches the curve of the cabin top and while it might look trick it is a poor design. Part of the problem is when you are closehauled and the mainsheet is tight and you then want to change the angle of attack by moving the traverler up, the car is actually starting downhill on the track and you have no where to go. So you have to release the mainsheet, move the car and then reset the mainsheet. Obivously, the straight track traveler eliminates that proceedure.
Anchor Down: Yup, been there done that at walking the docks. I've got some great ideas from looking at other mates boats. It is called a "mainsheeet conversion kit" and it is specifically designed for the C30. ALL mainsheet blocks are replaced except the one at the mast but you can get that one also if you want. There is no reason to add it but the choice is yours. The curved track traveler was junk when they designed it and over time it just gets worse. The traveler car runs on 4 rubber rollers, which fall apart over time. The track curve matches the curve of the cabin top and while it might look trick it is a poor design. Part of the problem is when you are closehauled and the mainsheet is tight and you then want to change the angle of attack by moving the traverler up, the car is actually starting downhill on the track and you have no where to go. So you have to release the mainsheet, move the car and then reset the mainsheet. Obivously, the straight track traveler eliminates that proceedure.
Don, where is your vang connected?
Bill: The Garhauer Rigid Vang is connected in the following manner. There is a plate attached to the boom with about 6 bolts. This plated is forward of the bails and it's location varies. By that I mean, it depend on how far above horizontal you want the boom to be. The closer you mount the plate toward the mast the higher the boom goes. 10 degrees is about normal. The mast plate is located as low on the mast as you can get it. About 6 bolts hold that plate. In my case, there was a hatch just aft of the mast so I had to position the plate in such away as to allow me to open the hatch. Once thats done you just connect both ends of the boom vang to the plates. It really is a beautiful looking setup. Additionally, I replaced the original springs in the unit with a stronger batch from Garhauer. They look like something off the back of a 55 chevy pickup!! It is overkill but to me "bigger is better".
Bill: The Garhauer Rigid Vang is connected in the following manner. There is a plate attached to the boom with about 6 bolts. This plated is forward of the bails and it's location varies. By that I mean, it depend on how far above horizontal you want the boom to be. The closer you mount the plate toward the mast the higher the boom goes. 10 degrees is about normal. The mast plate is located as low on the mast as you can get it. About 6 bolts hold that plate. In my case, there was a hatch just aft of the mast so I had to position the plate in such away as to allow me to open the hatch. Once thats done you just connect both ends of the boom vang to the plates. It really is a beautiful looking setup. Additionally, I replaced the original springs in the unit with a stronger batch from Garhauer. They look like something off the back of a 55 chevy pickup!! It is overkill but to me "bigger is better".
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