On our 1983 Catalina 30, I have been contemplating leading the mainsheet back to a second winch (to be added) behind the existing starboard Genoa winch, this to allow single handing of the mainsheet from the helm. I want to be able to let out and sheet in the main in puffs from the helm. My question is, has anyone tried this, and if so, what system of blocks/line routing was used (and how well did this work?). I have been racing on a C & C 30 for a couple of years, and really like the end boom sheeting (especially the mechanical advantage)they used...was even considering a similar arrangement for the Catalina, but I like the lack of sheets in the cockpit, hence my enquiry. Best Regards, Barry
Mainsheet Control at helm
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On our 1983 Catalina 30, I have been contemplating leading the mainsheet back to a second winch (to be added) behind the existing starboard Genoa winch, this to allow single handing of the mainsheet from the helm. I want to be able to let out and sheet in the main in puffs from the helm. My question is, has anyone tried this, and if so, what system of blocks/line routing was used (and how well did this work?). I have been racing on a C & C 30 for a couple of years, and really like the end boom sheeting (especially the mechanical advantage)they used...was even considering a similar arrangement for the Catalina, but I like the lack of sheets in the cockpit, hence my enquiry. Best Regards, Barry
On our 1983 Catalina 30, I have been contemplating leading the mainsheet back to a second winch (to be added) behind the existing starboard Genoa winch, this to allow single handing of the mainsheet from the helm. I want to be able to let out and sheet in the main in puffs from the helm. My question is, has anyone tried this, and if so, what system of blocks/line routing was used (and how well did this work?). I have been racing on a C & C 30 for a couple of years, and really like the end boom sheeting (especially the mechanical advantage)they used...was even considering a similar arrangement for the Catalina, but I like the lack of sheets in the cockpit, hence my enquiry. Best Regards, Barry
On our 1983 Catalina 30, I have been contemplating leading the mainsheet back to a second winch (to be added) behind the existing starboard Genoa winch, this to allow single handing of the mainsheet from the helm. I want to be able to let out and sheet in the main in puffs from the helm. My question is, has anyone tried this, and if so, what system of blocks/line routing was used (and how well did this work?). I have been racing on a C & C 30 for a couple of years, and really like the end boom sheeting (especially the mechanical advantage)they used...was even considering a similar arrangement for the Catalina, but I like the lack of sheets in the cockpit, hence my enquiry. Best Regards, Barry
Control
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Control
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Control
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Control
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Barry, I have a Catalina 30 1986. The first thing I changed was to junk the travelor that came with the boat. Garhauer makes a strong and easy to use travelor with enough purchaese to pull it in or drop in with all wind speeds. With it, just lead both lines back to the helm. It rides on a bearing car so not load jamming. Good luck! SH
Just a cleat?
My 85C30 has a spare cleat just behind the starboard genoa winch, I leave a couple wraps on the regular mainsheet winch and then just put a single grab/wrap on the cleat, not perfect but works in most weather. I also replaced all the blocks on my entire mainsheet assy. and everything works much better as the old ones were very worn out and didn't swivel much under pressure. This puts alot of twist into the sheet. Now it works great. Good luck Dean, www.blowinganddrifting@yahoo.com
My 85C30 has a spare cleat just behind the starboard genoa winch, I leave a couple wraps on the regular mainsheet winch and then just put a single grab/wrap on the cleat, not perfect but works in most weather. I also replaced all the blocks on my entire mainsheet assy. and everything works much better as the old ones were very worn out and didn't swivel much under pressure. This puts alot of twist into the sheet. Now it works great. Good luck Dean, www.blowinganddrifting@yahoo.com
Double mainsheet
I just saw the Garhauer setup on a newer Catalina 320. Both port and stbd ends of the sheet were wrapped on cabin top winches and tied off on the pedestal guard. It worked great in the light winds we had.
I just saw the Garhauer setup on a newer Catalina 320. Both port and stbd ends of the sheet were wrapped on cabin top winches and tied off on the pedestal guard. It worked great in the light winds we had.
Sheets To Helm
Barry: On my boat I led the mainsheet and traveler lines back to the helm. Next time your in a puff of wind or the boat is heeling excessively try dropping the traveler FIRST. That way you are not changing the shape of the maisail. After the puff passes you pull the traveler up and go on your way. In an excessive heel situation, when you drop the trveler the boat will pop up on its feets. Try it and see if it works for you.
Barry: On my boat I led the mainsheet and traveler lines back to the helm. Next time your in a puff of wind or the boat is heeling excessively try dropping the traveler FIRST. That way you are not changing the shape of the maisail. After the puff passes you pull the traveler up and go on your way. In an excessive heel situation, when you drop the trveler the boat will pop up on its feets. Try it and see if it works for you.
Traveller and mainsheets to the helm-how routed?
Don, Dean, and Shell, thanks for your suggestions. There is a consistent thread that seems to indicate that I wasn't the only one wondering why main sheet control is set up for double handling from the manufacturers. Since I posted my original question, I received the latest edition of "Canadian Yachting" in which a test/evaluation article on the new Bavaria 31 appears. Interestingly, the mainsheet is a single double-ended line that leads to port and starboard winches just aft of the Genoa self-tailers. The testers quite liked the arrangement, referring to it as a different way of thinking, although they indicated it was similar to the system used on the Farr 40's. It seems to me that for the system to work well, an upgrade in blocks and traveller is essential. That said, I was wondering about everyone's approach to routing the lines to avoid cockpit clutter. Ideas & pictures would be appreciated. Cheers, Barry
Don, Dean, and Shell, thanks for your suggestions. There is a consistent thread that seems to indicate that I wasn't the only one wondering why main sheet control is set up for double handling from the manufacturers. Since I posted my original question, I received the latest edition of "Canadian Yachting" in which a test/evaluation article on the new Bavaria 31 appears. Interestingly, the mainsheet is a single double-ended line that leads to port and starboard winches just aft of the Genoa self-tailers. The testers quite liked the arrangement, referring to it as a different way of thinking, although they indicated it was similar to the system used on the Farr 40's. It seems to me that for the system to work well, an upgrade in blocks and traveller is essential. That said, I was wondering about everyone's approach to routing the lines to avoid cockpit clutter. Ideas & pictures would be appreciated. Cheers, Barry
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