Mainsheet resistance....

[rpell1@msn.com]

Hi all,

We've been having an unusually great sailing season here in the NY Bight.....winds are averaging 15 knots daily and even though it has been a bit rough, boat speeds are around 6.5 to 6.8 knots regularly.

This being my first Catalina 30, I am not sure if I should have to use the cabin top winch to be able to pull in the main sheet under load. I checked and re-checked the rigging and assuming the number of blocks involved, one would think the mainsheet would be easily adjusted with little or no effort?

Am I wrong?

If not, does anyone have a solution?

Thanks to all on this site. I have to say that I have learned a tremendous amount in a very short period of time, by subscribing to this forum...

Happy sailing

 

[Stu Jackson]

The reason the manual calls it a mainsheet winch is????......

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

...as entertaining as your comedic sarcasm is.....it still doesn't answer my question.
Thank anyway.......Want to try again?

 

[Maine Sail]

...as entertaining as your comedic sarcasm is.....it still doesn't answer my question.
Thank anyway.......Want to try again?

In 15 knots you'll need the winch. New ball bearing blocks may help some but with mid boom sheeting, and a load, you'll be hard pressed to sheet it in where you want it on a beat by hand. Off the wind you should be able adjust it but beating into it, probably not..

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Thank you for the explanation. Now I can only imagine what it would be like trying to sheet without the system of blocks this boat has.

Since I had moved up from a 22 Chrysler, I had beed used to using the winches ONLY for the last couple of feet of adjustment.....and I had a full roach main and a 150 genoa.

I obviously underestimate the power of the sails on my Catalina 30.

Thanks again and Happy Sailing.

 

[FHLIPSKY]

Mainsail trimming

Hi all,

We've been having an unusually great sailing season here in the NY Bight.....winds are averaging 15 knots daily and even though it has been a bit rough, boat speeds are around 6.5 to 6.8 knots regularly.

This being my first Catalina 30, I am not sure if I should have to use the cabin top winch to be able to pull in the main sheet under load. I checked and re-checked the rigging and assuming the number of blocks involved, one would think the mainsheet would be easily adjusted with little or no effort?

Am I wrong?

If not, does anyone have a solution?

Thanks to all on this site. I have to say that I have learned a tremendous amount in a very short period of time, by subscribing to this forum...

Happy sailing

Of course, use the mainsheet winch; or you could head up, pull in the sail (usually by hand), and then fall off to fill the sail again. You could also use the traveller to tighten the sail. It's best not to make the main too tight as it causes a lot of weather helm, which you have to counter with the rudder. This is like sailing with your feet dragging. When properly trimmed the rudder should be straight. (Took much of my first season to figure that gem out!) Great boat........enjoy it.