C-22 masts and backstay adjusters
I have a C-22 built in 1981 in August as I understand as a 1982 model. It is hull number 9911. I have the flat-sided mast that you mention and a backstay adjuster. In addition, I can tell you without a doubt in my mind, I sure can bend that mast. Therefore, I think the advice you received is incorrect. However, it is true the older oval style mast is easier to bend, but not by much. Nevertheless, a bit of history. The original oval mast came with aluminum brackets and about ¾ inch spreader tubes with 5/32 inch lower shrouds, although the other shrouds and stays are all 1/8 inch. The aluminum spreader brackets and ¾ inch spreader tubes were too weak in racing and or heavy sailing conditions. Consequently, a number of oval masts broke apart when the spreader brackets and spreaders failed. Hence, it seems your vessel is upgraded to the stronger flat-sided mast with one-inch spreader tubes, stainless steel spreader brackets and 1/8 inch lower shrouds. However, there are two lengths for these flat-sided masts. Taken from the bottom of the mast up to the point where the truck (the part that holds the sheaves for the halyards), one is twenty five-feet and the other twenty-four feet nine inches. The shorter mast was introduced about 1985. You should determine which length you have so you can order the correct length for shrouds and stays in the future. Further, your vessel may not have the bronze (I think it is brass) plate mounted just below the fiberglass along the top of the transom that can be tapped for installation of a chain plate eye. When I talked to Catalina Direct regarding the installation of a backstay adjuster onto my boat, they were quite sure my boat is too old to have that plate. However, when I drilled a pilot hole into the top of the transom for a larger hole for the chain plate eye, I happily discovered gold colored metal shavings come up after the fiberglass along the drill bit. Hence, I indeed have that bronze (although I think it is brass) plate which then made installation of the chain plate eye simpler by only needing to tap the metal plate. For your older boat, I think you will have to drill an access hole in the back of the cockpit seat so that you can place a nut onto the chain plate eye to hold it in place. Catalina Direct sells attractive metal covers to place over this hole when you are finished. Keep in mind, a backstay adjuster is employed more to power up the main sail and headsail than as a means to tighten them. In its normal configuration, C-22 rigging does bend the top of the mast back a bit and hence the middle of the mast forwards. This is done to slightly de-power the main and keep the forestay tight for safety reasons as the Catalina factory does not know precisely in what conditions its C-22’s will be sailed. Loosening the backstay adjuster reverses the normal configuration. The top of the mast goes forward and hence the middle of the mast backwards which adds body to the main sail by softening its luff and then power to the jib by softening its luff as the forestay to which it is attached is loosened as well.
