Running rig lines aft to cockpit?

Sep 28, 2025
108
Catalina C 30 MK1 1983 Stockton Lake Missouri
Look for photos or opinions of running rigging, deck organizers to clutches, arrangement and what’s necessary to run aft to cockpit?
The only thing run aft now is the main sail sheet line and rolling further is run back to the helm area. I like the cockpit being less cluttered and don’t mind going forward to work with running rigging but time is catching up with me and the inland lake where we sail is noted for having 40-60 knot straight winds coming up out of nowhere.
We are looking to add a lazy jack.
Wwe have a compression post vang, single line reefing, boom outhall, topping lift, roller furling and 2 halyards but look to add a third.
So that is 8 lines run aft eventually.
So that will be two 4 pulley organizing check blocks and another winch.
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,989
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I have an O’Day 322. She has 2) 4x rope clutches on the cabintop and 2) 4x organizers near the mast. The organizers are double stacked.

I have:
1) Reefing line
2) main halyard
3) topping lift
4) main sheet

5) outhaul
6) vang
7) spinnaker halyard
8) furling line

So there isn’t much I cannot do from the cockpit.

Line-handling can get a little messy, but after I get the sails set and adjusted, I tidy up the lines.


IMG_5292.jpeg IMG_5293.jpeg IMG_5294.jpeg

Greg
 
  • Like
Likes: JoeWhite

dmax

.
Jul 29, 2018
1,346
Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
When you figure out what you want to do, check out Garhauer Marine, they have excellent quality and prices and are great to deal with. Here's a shot of what I did on my O'Day 35, though you can't see the rope clutches.:
IMG_0327.JPG
 
Sep 28, 2025
108
Catalina C 30 MK1 1983 Stockton Lake Missouri
Tally Ho,
Thanks,
The problem I was having is everyone wants to sit and lean up against that bulkhead between the cabin and the cockpit. But I guess I could just move the cushions until every thing is set and work around them when need. What else do they have to do, they are sailing.
What minimum size pulley is used for the organizer block and clutche sizes for a Catalina C30 mk1?
Have you any preference to what lines are where?

1789307122765.jpeg
 
Sep 28, 2025
108
Catalina C 30 MK1 1983 Stockton Lake Missouri
dmax,
Thanks, never have enough supply references.
I have some used supply lines close so I sure I’ll get all this done cheap. Lol
 
Sep 24, 2018
4,652
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
Take a look at pics of MKIII's (and possibly MKII's). They all came with lines lead aft. If there's a specific pic you'd like I can try to grab it for you off of my 94 C30
 
Sep 28, 2025
108
Catalina C 30 MK1 1983 Stockton Lake Missouri
Project Mayhem,
Thanks,
I think I am going to visit a guy who said that has chopped 30 sailboats over the last couple years soon and see what he has. But most likely older boats that didn’t have many check block organizers or breaks. The one winch on my boat looks to be original so finding another for the port side should be hard.
I am thinking 2” pulleys should be ok for smaller loads or larger for heavier loads will be better for sufficient force.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,460
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
dmax gave you the answer in his reply: Garhauer They provided the gear for Catalina for decades. You should be able to get the manual for later C30 boats from the C30 Owners Association website or I/O Group. thatmanual shows you what later boats have as OEM gear on the rigging pages of the manual.

We are looking to add a lazy jack.
Wwe have a compression post vang, single line reefing, boom outhall, topping lift, roller furling and 2 halyards but look to add a third.
So that is 8 lines run aft eventually.
Things good to lead aft: vang, mainsail reefing line, main halyard
Things not always necessary to lead aft:
lazy jacks - mine led aft, found it a pain to run back & forth to loosen and then tighten would have been better left at the mast.
outhaul - how often do you adjust it and/or could you adjust it from the end of the boom?
topping lift - most folks set it and forget it once a season. Or they get a rigid vang (from Garhauer)
roller furling - already led aft outside on stanchions, not applicable in this discussion
So, not eight at all.
I suggest you carefully think what you NEED. For example, because I had a furling jib I left my jib halyard on a cleat on the mast, never ran it back. Why? 'Cuz I never used the halyard to adjust the luff of my jib. I used a line at the foot of the jib above the furler drum to do that.

Good luck, think twice, buy once. ;)
 
  • Helpful
Likes: jssailem
Jan 7, 2011
5,989
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Here are a few shots of my deck organizers (4 lines each side) and my mast base (Sans the mast…a whole other story).

I also have a Mack Pack and lazy jacks, but those are tied off on the boom…so I do go forward to loosen the jacks if necessary.

As Stu mentioned, if you have a rigid vang, you can do away with the topping lift if you want, but I like having an extra halyard available.

I had 2 reefing lines (2 reef points on the sail). But I found I never used the 2nd reef line, so I repurposed that clutch for the furling line. Yes, mine ran along the side deck on the stancions, and was cleated off on the side deck. I did not leaning over trying to furl the sail and secure it on a cleat…especially when reefing in heavy winds. I moved the furling line to a cabintop clutch spot where it is super easy to reef and to use the clutch to stop the line when I want to reef. Honestly, one of the best improvements I have made.

I have a loose-footed main sail, and i do adjust my outhaul to get the full benefit of the loose foot.

my boat came with the provisions for 8 lines led aft. I replaced one of the 4-rope clutches that was in bad shape…because I find them useful to have run aft.

Yes, people like to lean against the bulkhead. If we are a very leisurely sail, I will put a cushion there to lean against And cover the lines.

IMG_6892.jpeg IMG_6893.jpeg


Greg
 
Sep 28, 2025
108
Catalina C 30 MK1 1983 Stockton Lake Missouri
Stu Jackson,
I figured I would just add everything to my list and reduce it to what is reasonable after some forethought, getting feedback and more information. Thank for sharing your knowledge.
I was hoping to get a way with one 4 rope clutch and a new self tailing winch on the port side.

NEW PLACEMENT OF LINES BITTER END:
PORT SIDE
Boom vang
Reefing line
Main halyard
Open

STARBOARD SIDE
Main sheet line

PORT SIDE COCKPIT
Roller fuller

MAST
Genoa halyard
Outhaul

BOOM or FOWRAD CLEAT
Boom jibe preventer

PARTS LIST
4 mast block pulleys
Sheave Diameter is 2.5″ Max Line Size is 5/8″
4 pulley organizer check block
Sheave Diameter is 2.5″ Max Line Size is 5/8″
4 gang rope clutch 5/8”
Self tailing win
Fasteners
Sealant

The starboard side winch is self tailing and I like just having it a designated to the main sheet line but could add a 4 rope clutch at some later date.
I don’t race this boat so jib luff is set before going out but have not ruled it out. We just sail in the morning or afternoon or both so there isn’t much adjustment taking place once we set out.
I am doing this design from my easy chair a hundred miles away from my boat.
So help is welcomed.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,460
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
I don't care what much else you put on the port side, but in North America, and other than France, the main halyard is always to starboard. :)

Also has something to do with how the boat has sheaves at the masthead and how the halyards come down.

PORT SIDE


Main halyard
 
  • Like
Likes: Woodworks1
Sep 28, 2025
108
Catalina C 30 MK1 1983 Stockton Lake Missouri
So now I am at the point of where the (dollar to usefulness ratio) comes in to play. What could I scale back to make any difference in the ease of balance a boat easily.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,460
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
All anyone can reasonably answer to that question is what they have done, not what you should do. I gave you my experience with the lazy jacks and jib halyard.

"Your boat, your choice. :)"
 
Sep 28, 2025
108
Catalina C 30 MK1 1983 Stockton Lake Missouri
I was looking at some deck organizer and don’t see why I couldn’t make the frame for one out of teak, ebony or Osage orange. I also have some 2”x1/4” titanium as well as aluminum laying around and some stainless steel of different thickness.
I have made jam cleats out of osage orange and stained it with a Shou Sugi Ban technique. This stain the wood and it looks like teak or cocobolo with heat and if with enough it looks like ebony. I also have some persimmon or white ebony out of my yard. It is the only ebony tree in North America and Shou Sugi Bans like Osage Orange.
I could make them look like a fish. I am fairly handy with tools. But a lions head would stick up to much. The bowl is a over 200 pieces but wouldn’t hold water for long.
1789402292964.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Feb 26, 2004
23,460
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
That's really very outstanding woodwork, congratulations, I truly envy your work. I am not sure how this translates to sailboat hardware, which in a way you touch on in your discussion. I'm sure you could build a very pretty box to house multiple sheaves for a deck organizer. However, I question if you could get the geometry adequate for fairleads and angles, to say nothing of strength, because the relatively thin top and sided walls of a Garhauer deck organizer are much stronger than anything you could find in wood, just for example. That is the reason that specialty companies exist to make that equipment.

I was looking at some deck organizer and don’t see why I couldn’t make the frame for one out of teak, ebony or Osage orange. I also have some 2”x1/4” titanium as well as aluminum laying around and some stainless steel of different thickness.