Some rigging questions

[jhogle]

I realized today that I had my back stay attached to the wrong spot. A friend and I tried to get it to its proper location but it was coming up just a hair short. I feel like if I had one other person to help push on the mast / pull on the stay we would have got it. I was able to attach the stay using an extra shackle for just a bit more length as seen in the attached photo. Firstly, is there any reason this would be unsafe is a temporary fix? Secondly, how can I go about properly getting the extra inch of length I need. Is there a way to do it without replacing the entire stay?

Finally, I noticed I had two (as far as I could tell) identical halyards hanging from my mast. My guess is that one of them is for the mainsail and another for a spinaker. Is there any way to tell which halyard should be used for the main, or can they both be used interchangeably?

 

[wsmac]

Just to clarify... you are restepping the mast or are you just replacing rigging?
If you are reattaching previous rigging... is everything else adjusted already? I thought you needed to have everything attached before final tuning.

Don't own a Catalina but I've found plenty of boats with their manuals online... some.. like my Hunter, have good information on the rigging.

Does this help?
http://keoweeadventurecenter.com/Catalina 22 Owners Manual.htm#tuning

 

[jhogle]

Just to clarify... you are restepping the mast or are you just replacing rigging?

I have stepped the mast for the first time since buying the boat, and cant get the back stay to reach to its proper location.

 

[LakeShark]

Are you sure that is the back stay and not the fore stay? I have a split back stay with an adjustable roller that tensions it. I am not 100% sure but every C22 I have sailed on had a split adjustable stay like mine and none of them had turn buckles at the back stay. My boat is an 87 just for reference.

As for lengthening the shroud with the shackle I will let others comment but I have done it in the past and gotten away with it so long as the shackle is rates for the cable its on. However it does not mean that is is necessarily a good idea.

try here for more information as well : https://catalina.sailboatowners.com/dl/downloads.php?task=model&mid=107&model=22

 

[jhogle]

Are you sure that is the back stay and not the fore stay?

I am pretty confident it is the back stay. My fore stay is setup with a roller furler so I cant imagine they would have got mixed up. It seems most other C22s I have seen have that split back stay as well, but mine is of a different design it seems.

 

[LakeShark]

Do you have 1 or 2 attache points on the stern for the back stay? If it has 2 attachment points I would guess its supposed to be split. I have never seen a C22 with a single stay all the way down to the hull but You might try asking @CaptDon01 as he trailers more than anyone I know and has both owned, raced, and been around more C22 than many of us. You can also try looking for information on the Catalina 22 website at https://www.catalina22.org/ .

 

[LeslieTroyer]

First make Shute none of the Clevis are twisted at the mast head. If not. To get more slack on backstay push forward on the mast. Or attach main halyard to a line running to the stern and tighten

Main halyard is only one with shackle facing aft( usually starboard side)
Jib will exit at mast going forward ( usually port side)
Spinnaker if fitted will be forward of the forestay
Spinnaker topping lift part way up forward side of mast

Les

 

[jhogle]

Do you have 1 or 2 attache points on the stern for the back stay?

Just one attachment point.

 

[DayDreamer41]

Even with a furler there should be a turnbuckle either under the furler or in the furler which sounds as if it needs to be lengthened

 

[justsomeguy]

It seems you've still got a couple of inches of adjustment in the turnbuckle, no?
Don't forget to cotter them, BTW.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Not all C22s had split backstays. My 87 has a single and attachs at the same location shown in the photo in your first post. @jhogle

You would usually have 2 halyards with a stock C22.
One goes over top the mast towards the stern, for the main.
Another one goes over the top of the mast towards the bow, for the jib.

If your boat has a furler added, then it is likely the jib halyard is no longer needed. My boat has a "Flexible furler" and the jib harlyard is not needed for it.
We use our unused jib halyard for stepping the mast, and may eventually use it for a future headsail of some type.

 

[jhogle]

Got a suggestion from another post to attach the main sheet to the main halyard to get some extra pull on the top of the mast. That gave me just enough to set the back stay.

 

[Leeward Rail]

For reference.. here's a 87 with single backstay attachment. Older boats also have this.
You can upgrade to an adjustable backstay, like
@LakeShark describes, that attaches on to both sides for around $400

 

[Jacktar]

My 83 has a single back stay, check the manual for setting the rake (fore to back angle of mast) it varies as to whether you are swing keel or a fixed one. I got my stays set up and rake set with a plumb bob from the masthead, it also helped to adjust the side to side lengths of the upper and lower shroud sets. See photo for mark on boom of vertical plumb line for reference on mine.

 

[Milton.Audas]

You have the backstay. Not all C22's have the split backstay arrangement. CD sells both. If you are using a CDI Furler, there is a turnbuckle 'hidden' within the drum housing. Possibly other brands have a similar arrangement. Loosen the eye under the drum, remove said drum and back off the turnbuckle a few turns and then test the backstay positioning. Adjust again as needed.
Also, try backing of the tension on the shrouds, especially the for'd shrouds, on both sides of the boat. It may be that this is the cause of your issues with securing the backstay.
Either or both of these should give you some additional length on the backstay. Chances are that your extra fitting, if quality stainless, might do OK as a temporary measure. IMHO. But it is another link in the assemblage and another thing to potentially go south on you. Best of luck !!

 

[Paul In Boston]

Thank you very much for the photo showing about 6 inches of rake from plumb. I assume that it does not cause too much weather helm in higher winds. Is this rake appropriate for swing or fixed keel?

 

[Jacktar]

El swingo keel per the manual, note all catalina 22s love to to go to windward