Height of deck organizers

[George Da Porge]

The pics are of the deck organizers on my Catalina 30. We’ve owned the boat since last spring. I recently noticed that the deck organizers are lower than they could/should(?) be. See pics. You can see how the lines angle down to the deck organizer when exiting the mast. Then when they leave the deck organizer they rise as they head toward the cockpit.

In thinking about this, I believe this is adding unnecessary friction in the line routing. To what degree, I can’t say. Thoughts about that?

I am considering raising the deck organizers so they are reasonably even with the lines from the mast and to the cockpit. I would use marine board spacers. The plus of doing this would be eliminating any unnecessary friction, as stated above. The downsides, as far as I can see, are an increase in trip hazard as the lines will be higher, and possible overload of the anchoring of the deck organizers to the deck.

Any comments appreciated! I will be on the road for the next week or so, so if I don’t reply to a post right away, that’s why. Thanks!

 

[Stu Jackson]

The organizers are right, your blocks from the base of the mast are too high.

See, it all depends on your point of view.

The solution for friction is to assure you've replaced the sheaves in the organizers with newer Garhauer sheaves.

You also might want to check other Catalinas, most all of them have organizers, and see what they look like. Betcha it's not only your boat. I'll check mine tomorrow.

 

[George Da Porge]

Thanks Stu - I have new sheaves and will be replacing them as soon as it warms up around here!

 

[dj2210]

Not that I was worried about the line angles but needed more sheaves, I added Garhauer or Catalina Direct quad deck organizers. This would raise up your lines if you use the top sheaves. Direct replacement.

 

[jimmcgee]

The solution for friction is to assure you've replaced the sheaves in the organizers with newer Garhauer sheaves.

Stu,
Can you elaborate on the "newer Garhauer sheaves"?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[George Da Porge]

jimmcgee - the "new" sheaves are ball bearing. I believe the existing rotate on the fixing bolt. The replacement sheaves are available from Catalina Direct for $34/pair. They are Garhauer, but they aren't listed on the Garhauer catalog. I tried emailing them but got no response.

 

[George Da Porge]

Also - thanks folks! I'm going to confirm the lines do not rub on the organizer housing. If not - they will stay as is!

 

[Stu Jackson]

jimmcgee - the "new" sheaves are ball bearing. I believe the existing rotate on the fixing bolt. The replacement sheaves are available from Catalina Direct for $34/pair. They are Garhauer, but they aren't listed on the Garhauer catalog. I tried emailing them but got no response.

If you want Garhauer, you pick up the telephone.

Many good vendors are busy making product and servicing their customers - and don't do email as well as they make fine material.

 

[jimmcgee]

George, Stu,
Do you know approximately what year they switched over to the new sheaves?

My boat is a 1995.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[George Da Porge]

Jim - I have no idea on that.