On the starboard side, aft end of the boom on our C-22, a previous owner added about a 30" track that has two adjustable blocks on it. There is also a cleat at the very aft end of the boom just above this track and no cleat forward. I assume this is for some kind of reefing system but I haven't figured it out yet. The port side of the boom has a cheek block aft, eyestrap mid boom, and cleat forward, that would seem to be the "standard" setup for reefing. There is only one reef point in the main and no flattening reef. There is also a reefing tack hook installed. I would appreciate any help, links, diagrams, etc. to point me in the right direction with this track and block thing. The attached "related link" shows a diagram of something similar and would make sense for our boat if there were two reef points and a forward cleat. Also, without a topping lift or boomkicker, what's the best way to support the boom when reefing? This boat has a split backstay and no pigtail, but does have a snap shackle in the crotch of the "Y" in the backstay. It is convenient for holding the boom while at rest and with the backstay loose, but it seems like it would be tricky to clip-in under reefing conditions. Any thoughts? Thanks John
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Interesting setup you've got...
I have to admit that I'm a little confused about your boom setup too. I suspect that the components on the port side of the boom are parts an outhaul system, and the starboard side components are part of a double reefing system. Even though your current main only has one reef clew, it's possible that the boat used to have a main with two reef clews (as shown in your related link). This is all conjecture, though... I honestly can't figure out exactly what's going on here. As a frequent singlehanded sailor (sailing with my wife is singlehanded sailing most of the time, too), I like single line reefing systems. I've attached a diagram of a simple one. You could easily convert your existing hardware to a single line reef by adding a cheek block on the starboard side fore end of the boom and another block at the mast base (either a stand-up block, as shown in my diagram, a mast base halyard lead block, or another cheek block attached to the port side of the mast near the bottom). You'll also need to add an eyestrap to the port side of the boom to dead-end the reef line. For this system, you'll only need one of the blocks on the track, and you won't use the reefing tack hook. It's nice that you've got a track on the starboard side of the boom. It's pretty important that you get just the right combination of "down" and "back" tension on the reef clew. Some systems (like the one in my diagram) use a fixed cheek block in place of the track, but this requires some degree of guess-timation when installing. I think the track is better. I don't know how your outhaul is rigged right now, but you could use the cheek block on the port side of the boom for a simple 2:1 outhaul purchase. You'd just run a line from the clew of the main, back through the cheek block, and then forward to a cleat. Please note that I said you "could" do this... personally, I wouldn't. First of all, you describe the one cleat on the port side of the boom as "forward". I don't know how far "forward" it is, but you probably don't want to be crawling up to the mast when you need to put on some hard outhaul. Second, there are several ways to install relatively simple outhaul systems that are much more efficient (e.g., 4:1, 6:1, or 8:1). Personally, I like the 4:1 system Catalina Direct sells for about $60.
I have to admit that I'm a little confused about your boom setup too. I suspect that the components on the port side of the boom are parts an outhaul system, and the starboard side components are part of a double reefing system. Even though your current main only has one reef clew, it's possible that the boat used to have a main with two reef clews (as shown in your related link). This is all conjecture, though... I honestly can't figure out exactly what's going on here. As a frequent singlehanded sailor (sailing with my wife is singlehanded sailing most of the time, too), I like single line reefing systems. I've attached a diagram of a simple one. You could easily convert your existing hardware to a single line reef by adding a cheek block on the starboard side fore end of the boom and another block at the mast base (either a stand-up block, as shown in my diagram, a mast base halyard lead block, or another cheek block attached to the port side of the mast near the bottom). You'll also need to add an eyestrap to the port side of the boom to dead-end the reef line. For this system, you'll only need one of the blocks on the track, and you won't use the reefing tack hook. It's nice that you've got a track on the starboard side of the boom. It's pretty important that you get just the right combination of "down" and "back" tension on the reef clew. Some systems (like the one in my diagram) use a fixed cheek block in place of the track, but this requires some degree of guess-timation when installing. I think the track is better. I don't know how your outhaul is rigged right now, but you could use the cheek block on the port side of the boom for a simple 2:1 outhaul purchase. You'd just run a line from the clew of the main, back through the cheek block, and then forward to a cleat. Please note that I said you "could" do this... personally, I wouldn't. First of all, you describe the one cleat on the port side of the boom as "forward". I don't know how far "forward" it is, but you probably don't want to be crawling up to the mast when you need to put on some hard outhaul. Second, there are several ways to install relatively simple outhaul systems that are much more efficient (e.g., 4:1, 6:1, or 8:1). Personally, I like the 4:1 system Catalina Direct sells for about $60.
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options available
Mike - thanks for the feeback. I too suspect that a previous owner either had, or was planning on getting, another main with two reef clews. To clarify, the cleat on the port side of the boom is all the way forward which led me to think maybe it was for a reef line. I agree, the outhaul is handier cleated aft and we'll leave it that way. It seems we have some options available with this hardware but will need to experiment a little and maybe add a piece or two to complete the system. Might try a single line system like your diagram. How is your boom supported when you release your halyard?
Mike - thanks for the feeback. I too suspect that a previous owner either had, or was planning on getting, another main with two reef clews. To clarify, the cleat on the port side of the boom is all the way forward which led me to think maybe it was for a reef line. I agree, the outhaul is handier cleated aft and we'll leave it that way. It seems we have some options available with this hardware but will need to experiment a little and maybe add a piece or two to complete the system. Might try a single line system like your diagram. How is your boom supported when you release your halyard?
Supporting the boom while reefing
>> How is your boom supported when you release your halyard? Sorry -- I forgot to answer this part of your post. I have a topping lift and I'm very happy with it. I find it particularly useful in very light air when the weight of the boom tends to over-flatten the main. A little tension on the topping lift picks up the weight of the boom and gives the main a much fuller shape. I've never used a boomkicker, so you should probably acquire someone else's opinion. Keep in mind -- installing a topping lift from scratch requires work at the masthead. This is no big deal if you routinely demast for trailering, or if you're good with the bosun's chair. A word of caution -- I think it could actually be quite dangerous to use the snap-shackle on your backstay when reefing. My boat has a similar shackle, and if yours is like mine, it holds the boom pretty close to amidships. In weather requiring a reef, I'm not sure I'd be thrilled about having my boom "locked" in that position. What if the wind shifts suddenly and really pounds the mainsail from abeam? With the boom shackled to the backstay, your ability to dump air out of the main by easing the mainsheet would be severely limited. Plus, you might discover that the added load on the main makes it difficult to undo the snap-shackle quickly. In really heavy air, I fear this situation could get ugly fast. Bottom line -- I never shackle the main to the backstay when the main is up.
>> How is your boom supported when you release your halyard? Sorry -- I forgot to answer this part of your post. I have a topping lift and I'm very happy with it. I find it particularly useful in very light air when the weight of the boom tends to over-flatten the main. A little tension on the topping lift picks up the weight of the boom and gives the main a much fuller shape. I've never used a boomkicker, so you should probably acquire someone else's opinion. Keep in mind -- installing a topping lift from scratch requires work at the masthead. This is no big deal if you routinely demast for trailering, or if you're good with the bosun's chair. A word of caution -- I think it could actually be quite dangerous to use the snap-shackle on your backstay when reefing. My boat has a similar shackle, and if yours is like mine, it holds the boom pretty close to amidships. In weather requiring a reef, I'm not sure I'd be thrilled about having my boom "locked" in that position. What if the wind shifts suddenly and really pounds the mainsail from abeam? With the boom shackled to the backstay, your ability to dump air out of the main by easing the mainsheet would be severely limited. Plus, you might discover that the added load on the main makes it difficult to undo the snap-shackle quickly. In really heavy air, I fear this situation could get ugly fast. Bottom line -- I never shackle the main to the backstay when the main is up.
Rigging options
FYI John! I purchased additional options from Catalina Direct.com for hardware pertaining to part and perhaps all of your problems. As you, my 1970 Catalina 22 had the pig-tail configuration boom support and I replaced it with their update. It works great and takes the strain off the aft stay. Oddly, when I purchased this boat it had only "3" blocks which I have assume were used for the rear travel car (which was also absent). The cost was nominal since my 1st intention was to run all the reefing lines and halyards back to the cockpit in the event I'm sailing alone. You can purchase their catalog for only $10.00 and they usually ship within 3-5 days upon each order. I've found their hardware and installation guides to be very helpful, especially if you're new to sailing like myself. Good luck!
FYI John! I purchased additional options from Catalina Direct.com for hardware pertaining to part and perhaps all of your problems. As you, my 1970 Catalina 22 had the pig-tail configuration boom support and I replaced it with their update. It works great and takes the strain off the aft stay. Oddly, when I purchased this boat it had only "3" blocks which I have assume were used for the rear travel car (which was also absent). The cost was nominal since my 1st intention was to run all the reefing lines and halyards back to the cockpit in the event I'm sailing alone. You can purchase their catalog for only $10.00 and they usually ship within 3-5 days upon each order. I've found their hardware and installation guides to be very helpful, especially if you're new to sailing like myself. Good luck!
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