Trouble hoisting main

[Ron Brassord]

I have a problem getting the main on my 88 C30 to full hoist. The last few feet must be ground up by winch, and it is almost impossible to tension the luff. I have lubricated the slides, changed halyard to 3/8ths Stayset,changed the exit block on the mast that was worn, and the sail slides are the right sized plastic on a not old main. The sail drops freely when released. I do not use the clutch or the fair leads thinking they might add friction, Nothing so far has helped. Has anyone had this problem and found a fix?  After a few decades of sailing, and many boats, this is my first Catalina, and I am very pleased with everything about the boat, especially it's sailing in light or moderate air. Good sailing Ron Brassord LHP FL

 

[Don]

Some questions

Is your mainsheet and vang loose when you hoist? Is the end of your boom raised slightly with the topping lift or do you have a solid vang? Is the leech tight before you get to full hoist height? Does you halyard show any sign of wear at any point? Could your halyards be twisted inside the mast? Give us a little more information and maybe we can help you figure this out. If you are of average strength, you should be able to get full height by hand and set luff tention with the winch.

 

[Ron Brassord]

Hoisting main

Thanks for your interest. To answer your questions---the mainsheet is loose,and I have no vang, topping lift is supporting the boom, the leech is loose, the halyard is new 3/8ths per specs[replacing a 1/2"], and it runs free working it by hand using both ends. Although I'm 70 something, my last boat was a Marshall 22 with a 410' main with a gaff that I raised by hand.  It's the last two or so feet that are binding, and I need to really lean on the winch handle to top it off. I'm starting to think maybe the slugs? The top most is metal, and the rest are plastic. The sail is of unknown age, but appears to be no more than five years old. I can hear the shieve turning freely at the top of the mast when I work the halyard by hand.The fully hoisted sail drops freely when the halyard is freed. It's a mystery. By the way, where in Florida is Niceville? Regards Ron B LHP FL

 

[Brian]

How?

How is your halyard attached to the top plate on the sail (different holes, knot, shackle, etc.) Is it possible that a severe angle is be created near the top that is reversed when released allowing it to drop freely?Godd luck,Brian

 

[Sean]

Last Week

I thought we did this post last week?! I'm sure I responded.

 

[Harry]

Happened to me

Ron, sounds like you have alot more experience than me, and probably checked this out, but...on my old c 27, I couldn't raise the last 1 or 2 feet either. I was using the jib halyard for my crusing spin because I had a roller furling and didn't need it, nor did I have a masthead crane for the proper spin set up. I had also replaced the wire to rope halyards with new line(no wire).The problem was the jib halyard was acting as a break when the tension on the main increased. The thickness of jib halyard going through the sheeve was actually preventing the main halyard from "finishing" No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't raise it past that point.Like you, I had no problem lowering it. When I changed the set-up, I added a block up top for the spin., the problem went away.Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[dan]

same here

I have found that making sure she is head to wind helps alots, those last couple feet are killer on mine too!Niceville is on the northern shore of Choctawhachee Bay. north of Destin and Fort Walton Beach.