Hi, I just launched my 1963 Cal 20 and on my second sail my mainsheet hardware failed. It was original, and basically the plastic rollers have begun to disintegrate on all three blocks. I'm not even sure there are "stock" replacement parts, or what to substitute. Any suggestions?? Thank you!
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Cal 20 hardware
Meredith, Try these sources: Harken: they make a full line of blocks, shackles, travellers, etc. Pricey, but absolutely top quality. Their website and their catalog includes diagrams for installing all of their equipment. Got my mainsheet tackle, traveller, and lazy jacks from them. Garhauer: Excellent equipment for reasonable prices. Used as factory running gear by (I think) Hunter and Catalina. Bought my rigid boom vang from them - completely satisfied. Fred
Meredith, Try these sources: Harken: they make a full line of blocks, shackles, travellers, etc. Pricey, but absolutely top quality. Their website and their catalog includes diagrams for installing all of their equipment. Got my mainsheet tackle, traveller, and lazy jacks from them. Garhauer: Excellent equipment for reasonable prices. Used as factory running gear by (I think) Hunter and Catalina. Bought my rigid boom vang from them - completely satisfied. Fred
Another source…
Another place to get Cal 20 parts is Steve Seal at Seal's Spars and Rigging. I don't think he stocks the parts you're looking for right now, but he's a great source for all sorts of replacements and you'll need him sooner or later! I got a bridge and a barney post from him to convert my boat to sail her single handed, and both are excellent in quality. Additionally, he's been really patient in answering a lot of my stupid questions! Dick
Another place to get Cal 20 parts is Steve Seal at Seal's Spars and Rigging. I don't think he stocks the parts you're looking for right now, but he's a great source for all sorts of replacements and you'll need him sooner or later! I got a bridge and a barney post from him to convert my boat to sail her single handed, and both are excellent in quality. Additionally, he's been really patient in answering a lot of my stupid questions! Dick
Cal 20 blocks
Well, Meredith if you were in S. Cal the place to go would be Minnie's in NewPort Beach which is a store with all used but good things for a boat. Is there any used boat parts store there? Steve Seal will probably have all the stuff for a Cal 20, or any boat store. You should consider mounting a standing block horizontally and attached to the rudder gudgeon on the transom in the cockpit. So the mainsheet does not run directly from the starboard block to the fairlead and cam cleats in the center as originally done on Cal 20's. The sheet should run back to the block attached at the very center (Rudder gudgeon bolts) and then directly forward thru the fairlead into the cam cleats. The reason...In a very rough sea the plastic fairlead on mine couldn't take the pressure and exploded leaving me with just the cam cleats, and no purchase (leverage) to adjust the main in a 30knt wind. Needless to say I couldn't hold the sheet if I popped it out of the cleats so I couldn't adjust it without turning into the wind every time. The block mounted on a teak wooden chainplate with holds drilled to match the rudder gudgeon bolt holes.(Buy same size but longer stainless steel bolts and mount the teak chainplate with the spring loaded standing block, and it not only takes the pressure off, it gives you more purchase.
Well, Meredith if you were in S. Cal the place to go would be Minnie's in NewPort Beach which is a store with all used but good things for a boat. Is there any used boat parts store there? Steve Seal will probably have all the stuff for a Cal 20, or any boat store. You should consider mounting a standing block horizontally and attached to the rudder gudgeon on the transom in the cockpit. So the mainsheet does not run directly from the starboard block to the fairlead and cam cleats in the center as originally done on Cal 20's. The sheet should run back to the block attached at the very center (Rudder gudgeon bolts) and then directly forward thru the fairlead into the cam cleats. The reason...In a very rough sea the plastic fairlead on mine couldn't take the pressure and exploded leaving me with just the cam cleats, and no purchase (leverage) to adjust the main in a 30knt wind. Needless to say I couldn't hold the sheet if I popped it out of the cleats so I couldn't adjust it without turning into the wind every time. The block mounted on a teak wooden chainplate with holds drilled to match the rudder gudgeon bolt holes.(Buy same size but longer stainless steel bolts and mount the teak chainplate with the spring loaded standing block, and it not only takes the pressure off, it gives you more purchase.
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