I've got an '86 Cat 30 TR w/bow with the original standing rigging. The forward lowers have stretched enough over 14 years that there is no more adjustment left and at least two of the swages at the turnbuckles are slightly bananaed and thus,in my mind, are suspect. I'm looking to start a phased replacement to avoid the wallet shock of doing it all at once. First up the forward lowers, the uppers, and the backstay. I'm gonna go with Sta-Lock so that I can do it myself. Questions: 1) Are the rigging dimensions in my owners manual accurate enough to order cut to length pieces or should I go with a bulk amount (with fudge built in) and cut it myself? 2) If I do the latter what do you cut the stuff with? Hacksaw or bolt cutter? 3) Any words of wisdom from those of you that have done this or have any experience with Sta-Lock or ordering supplies through SailNet. Thanks in advance Tim
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Rick
standing rigging
Banana swages are a bad sign. It sounds like you really are ready for new rigging. If you intend to do it all your self I would recommend Brion Toss' book called the Rigger's Apprentice. Also his web page at briontoss.com has good tips on Norseman/Sta-locks and other rigging matters. (The forum is in the spartalk section). If you have used all the adjustments in your turnbuckles and still have slack you may have something else going on. You should check for deck compression and or collapse of the block that the compression post sits on in the bilge. It's behind a little barrier of fiberglass at the front of the bilge and has to be dug out. Catalina will fax you a repair procedure if you call them. As for changing your rigging in place: you can do this one wire at a time by going up the mast. But, if you need to change your tangs you must bring down the mast because they are thru-bolted. I double checked my rigging length to compare with the specs in the manual and found that all the shrouds were the exact same length as published, however the forstay and backstay were a little different. Didn't matter to me as I planned to raise the split in the backstay higher to allow more headroom at the helm. All the new Catalinas have much high splits now, too. Question 2: You can cut the wire with a hacksaw but I like to use a dremmel tool with a little cutoff wheel. Wrap tape around the wire and cut through the tape to keep all the strands together. Question 3: I have ordered from sailnet and found them to be slow in shipping. It usually takes about 3 weeks for most orders but I suspect rigging would take longer as their shop would have to make it up before they sent it out. Pencil out all you need to order and get quotes from other places, too. Catalina will make and ship rigging (another slow shipper). Also check out www.rigrite.com. Brion Toss will also give you a quote for high quality rigging. Check out this link:
Banana swages are a bad sign. It sounds like you really are ready for new rigging. If you intend to do it all your self I would recommend Brion Toss' book called the Rigger's Apprentice. Also his web page at briontoss.com has good tips on Norseman/Sta-locks and other rigging matters. (The forum is in the spartalk section). If you have used all the adjustments in your turnbuckles and still have slack you may have something else going on. You should check for deck compression and or collapse of the block that the compression post sits on in the bilge. It's behind a little barrier of fiberglass at the front of the bilge and has to be dug out. Catalina will fax you a repair procedure if you call them. As for changing your rigging in place: you can do this one wire at a time by going up the mast. But, if you need to change your tangs you must bring down the mast because they are thru-bolted. I double checked my rigging length to compare with the specs in the manual and found that all the shrouds were the exact same length as published, however the forstay and backstay were a little different. Didn't matter to me as I planned to raise the split in the backstay higher to allow more headroom at the helm. All the new Catalinas have much high splits now, too. Question 2: You can cut the wire with a hacksaw but I like to use a dremmel tool with a little cutoff wheel. Wrap tape around the wire and cut through the tape to keep all the strands together. Question 3: I have ordered from sailnet and found them to be slow in shipping. It usually takes about 3 weeks for most orders but I suspect rigging would take longer as their shop would have to make it up before they sent it out. Pencil out all you need to order and get quotes from other places, too. Catalina will make and ship rigging (another slow shipper). Also check out www.rigrite.com. Brion Toss will also give you a quote for high quality rigging. Check out this link:
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Richard
Rigging only
YOu might check out these guys: www.riggingonly.com They have all the parts your looking for and are more than happy to answer your questions. I sent my shrouds ('87 TR)to them for inspection. They said I could get another 5 years out of them without any problem. They also mentioned that the owners manual dimensions weren't all that accurate and it would be best to measure from your existing rigging. Good luck
YOu might check out these guys: www.riggingonly.com They have all the parts your looking for and are more than happy to answer your questions. I sent my shrouds ('87 TR)to them for inspection. They said I could get another 5 years out of them without any problem. They also mentioned that the owners manual dimensions weren't all that accurate and it would be best to measure from your existing rigging. Good luck
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Dave Viglierchio
My Surveyor's Rule
My surveyor suggested anything over 10 years old and not used for racing should be suspect. I took mine in and they found cracks and other potential failures just waiting to happen. It's not cheap but much cheaper than a new mast.
My surveyor suggested anything over 10 years old and not used for racing should be suspect. I took mine in and they found cracks and other potential failures just waiting to happen. It's not cheap but much cheaper than a new mast.
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Brian Ranniger
Replaced Mine
I had mine done by Rigworks in SF and installed by a local rigger for $1100 without a new headstay, which was new still.
I had mine done by Rigworks in SF and installed by a local rigger for $1100 without a new headstay, which was new still.
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Joe
Shop around....
... Go to your marine directory and call a few riggers. Ask them for an estimate for the rigging only, not the installation. It's way cheaper if you don't need to replace the turnbuckles and deck fittings. The rig shop will swege on the marine eye and stud as part of the package, you just give them the dimensions or bring in the old rigging for them to match it up. (allowing for stretch of course.)
... Go to your marine directory and call a few riggers. Ask them for an estimate for the rigging only, not the installation. It's way cheaper if you don't need to replace the turnbuckles and deck fittings. The rig shop will swege on the marine eye and stud as part of the package, you just give them the dimensions or bring in the old rigging for them to match it up. (allowing for stretch of course.)
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Steve
New standing rigging
I just replaced all the standing rigging on my '86 C30 SR. After shopping around and numerous quotes for $1500 to $2000 +, I called Catalina Direct. I shipped them all of my old cracked, oxidized standing rigging and got back a sparkling new (complete) replacement set in about 9 days for less than $800. Needless to say, I'm quite pleased. I have brand new rigging that will last longer than I will own the boat and I know it was done professionally. I wouldn't even think of making up any standing rigging on my own given its impact on safety. Good luck whichever way you choose to go. Steve in Portland
I just replaced all the standing rigging on my '86 C30 SR. After shopping around and numerous quotes for $1500 to $2000 +, I called Catalina Direct. I shipped them all of my old cracked, oxidized standing rigging and got back a sparkling new (complete) replacement set in about 9 days for less than $800. Needless to say, I'm quite pleased. I have brand new rigging that will last longer than I will own the boat and I know it was done professionally. I wouldn't even think of making up any standing rigging on my own given its impact on safety. Good luck whichever way you choose to go. Steve in Portland
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