Question on reefing procedures

[Dave K.]

I recently purchased a 1985 Catalina 30. I have used reefing with a reefing hook on the mast before, but my new boat is rigged with a small padeye directly below the boom and cleats on both port and starboard of the mast. I assume the reefing procedure is to use the line passed through the reefing point at the luff of the sail, tie a bowline in the padeye and pull the sail down with the line and cleat it on the side of the mast. For the second reef, I'd need to untie the first bowline in the padeye and repeat the procedure with the second reefing line. Is this the best way to use this reefing setup? Any suggestions on a better or more efficient way to reef using the padeye and cleat setup? Also, I have a Seaward hot water heater but no manual on how to use it. The owner's manual from Catalina doesn't help. There is a small push switch on the electrical panel for the water heater. Can it be used only when the engine is running? I have the water tanks filled but how is water transferred to the water heater? Brief instructions on use would be much appreciated. Thanks to all for your assistance.

 

[Tony Helbling]

Idea

Hi Dave,Without looking at the manual for your boat, here is an idea... tie a figure eight not and put the long running end through the pad eye... run through the eye of the cleat. When you reef, just pull tight and tie off... do the same thing with the higher reefing point... just an idea... keep the two systems independent... just and idea...Have fun!!!

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Hard to explain

It sounds like the thing is rigged (or suppposed to be) so you can reef from the well without going up toward the mast. A welcome idea, inasmuch one would be reefing in a heavy blow and wouldn't want to risk falling off up front.Perhaps if there were pulleys at each end of the mast it would help the reefing line move more smoothly.In any case, don't forget that the two extremes of the boom are the business end of the reefs. The ties in the middle are for aesthetics only and should never be used as a first resort for reefing. Indeed, they should only be tied after you've reefed, and utied before you break the reef.

 

[Gene]

Seaward Hot Water Heater

Do not have one, but did a search and it showed they use 11 volt AC (shore power) or engine heat. For engine heat you have to use heater hose from the outlet of the engine water pump to the water heater and return. Need to see your engine manuel for the specific inlet and return locations.

 

[Steve Dion]

Depending on your engine....

Dave:Depending on your engine, you should be heating water when your engine is running. This is only true if you have a fresh water cooled system. If your engine is raw water cooled it will probably not get warm engine to produce any hot water.Then you should have a AC outlet on the water heater. There is a heating element inside the tank. This should heat the water to VERY high tempatures when you are hooked to dockside power. If you are not getting hot water when hooked to the AC, you need to check the circut. If that is OKAY, then you need to check the element. When these heaters are working they make plenty of hot water.