masthead sheaves

[timweed]

I want to replace the masthead sheaves on my '83 catalina mkI. They showed a lot of wear last spring when I prepped the boat for launch and they are noisy. I lubed them, but that was only a temporary fix.
I checked the Int. Cat 30 website for specs, but no sizes are listed in the parts list for masthead sheaves. I'd like to get them before I head for the boat to do the spring commissioning. Appreciate any help.

 

[philwsailz]

One option is to go with the Catalina Direct replacement Sheave. Here is a link to the one they sell.

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=36&ParentCat=131

 

[timweed]

Thanks, Phil,
I did contact CatalinaDirect. My next question is how many? I think I need two, but my memory is like an old torn sail. It lets a lot slip by...
Tom

 

[philwsailz]

Do you have internal or external halyards, (I am not a C30 owner, but rather have the smaller stuff)? If external, you need 4. If internal, just two. This is of course, just for your main and jib halyards. IF you have other halyards that run on sheaves, add to the quantity.

 

[All U Get]

Thanks, Phil,
I did contact CatalinaDirect. My next question is how many? I think I need two, but my memory is like an old torn sail. It lets a lot slip by...
Tom

Mine are external on an Catilina 30TR and look like this, two on each side to run the Main and Genny.
All U Get

 

[Twice Around]

Tim, I moved to internal halyards and was able to go to 2 sheaves & then what I did was buy two cheap nylon sheaves just as spacers to keep everything in the same spot up there. My original set up was like All u Get's in which chase you'd need 4. The CD sheaves (aka Garhaurer) are pricey, but man it is some nice stuff!

 

[Billcat30tr]

If you have roller furling you may be able to get away with just the 2 for the main. I only rais and lower my genny once a season so no problem. I did this upgrade last year and the difference is unbelieveable! Needed to use the winch from 1/2 way up before now only need it for the last couple of inches to snug it up.

 

[rbmcintire]

First off, I would recommend making an aluminum plate to cover the top of the mast opening. I think that's a longtime source of water coming down my mast to deteriorate the plywood compression post support in the bilge (see my profile album for pictures). I have 4 sheaves in mine, but I only have ever used two (one forward and one aft) for the main and jib halyards. Jib is on a furler and stays up all season. The third sheave (forward position) has a line on it and is for ? Perhaps a future storm staysail or a second jib halyard? My fourth sheave is unused completely, no line run over it and finally, on "fifth base" , there is a Schaeffer block on the forward spinnaker crane which is a totally external spin halyard for a future asymetrical. Questions from this newbie: are any sheaves needed for a spinnaker sock? and, If one were to go sym spinnaker would my 3rd sheave be effective for a pole topping lift or is it too high and at risk of tangling with the spin? Is it worth adding a line to the fourth sheave as a back up (for main halyard, boom topping lift or a sunshade/tarp support? and, Finally, any guide or recommendations on setting up the left and right clutch stoppers on the cabintop?

Rob

 

[timweed]

Thanks to all of you. I ordered 4 roller bearing sheaves today from Catalina Direct. The halyards are external and will stay that way. How about some tips in removing the old sheaves and inserting the new ones. The season for commissioning is fast approaching and I want to get a leg up (pun intended) on the mast and get it ready to go.

 

[mortyd]

memorize the word garhauer, then call them.

 

[Twice Around]

tim,

Is the stick up or down? I do not think you can tackle this with the stick up. There are two pins and four sheaves...each halyard runs over one sheave on each pin.

Look at these pictures..(sorry about the quality, some are old cell phone pics from 2009) - The smaller pin is the old sheave location...the Garhauer sheaves were a larger diameter than my old ones, and had to move to the larger holes further inboard (the empty hole) & with a larger pin. One of the pics I labeled for you.

After my mast 're-furb' I now have some stuff in the way (CD spin crane & aluminum plate to cut down on the rain) & no pics of just the new sheaves in the masthead..AllUGet's pic shows a blue halyard run and you can see it inside the masthead fitting.

 

[All U Get]

tim,

Is the stick up or down? I do not think you can tackle this with the stick up. There are two pins and four sheaves...each halyard runs over one sheave on each pin.

Look at these pictures..(sorry about the quality, some are old cell phone pics from 2009) - The smaller pin is the old sheave location...the Garhauer sheaves were a larger diameter than my old ones, and had to move to the larger holes further inboard (the empty hole) & with a larger pin. One of the pics I labeled for you.

After my mast 're-furb' I now have some stuff in the way (CD spin crane & aluminum plate to cut down on the rain) & no pics of just the new sheaves in the masthead..AllUGet's pic shows a blue halyard run and you can see it inside the masthead fitting.

Yep, mine are external and run bow to stern for the Main and stern to bow for the Genny seperated with an aluminum plate similar to the mast beneath mine. With the stick up for mine I would use two heavy wires or tubing to bend like my picture. Take the pressure off the halyards by folding them over the side or lift them with a can possibly. Even with the mast on its side I had to use an awl to align both sheaves and the aluminum divider on the single pin. Twice Around has a different set-up but the thought should work. After placing the cotter pins I dabbed some silicone caulk on the ends to cover the sharp ends. I got that idea from a rigger at our marina. Good luck.
All U Get

 

[Twice Around]

I found another picture of the top of the stick with the old sheaves in it.