Since my thread about the stern chainplates and angles created some discussion, here is my next item:
The rigger has quoted a price to really tune my rig right. Among other things, he has found the mast is bent aft in the middle.
I am a pretty casual cruiser, so having a lot of precision in the rig tuning has not yet been a huge priority, but it can only help produce better sail shape, right?
Does anyone see this as a big deal? Should I blow his prices off and just do it myself? IF yes, do you find the tuning guide in the manual sufficient?
I know we also have the Loos gauge available as a member benefit- does anyone have figures on how their MKI rig tuned out with the gauge?
As you can see, I am no expert on rig tuning, so I appreciate any and all input.
Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD
Hi Laura, here's my personal take on the issue.
I do it myself. I take a personal interest in every aspect of the boat's operation, and the standing rigging is a key system - perhaps the most critical. Not only are there performance issues but also safety concerns.
I can't see that one can get usefully familiar with their standing rigging without understanding at least the basics of rig tuning. And if you go that far, you may as well learn to tune your rig yourself.
For example, there should not be a backwards bend in your mast. You can check this yourself by simply sighting up the side of the mast from deck level. FYI, I think most Catalina 36 owners are content to have no bend in the mast.
Loos gauge is great, perhaps someone will chime with the measurements for the Cat 36 rig.
If you don't have it, I suggest buying Nigel Calder's Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual. It has a great section on rig tuning plus it covers all the other systems on your boat in really useful detail.
Cheers,
Graham
Graham Mackey
SV Nostromo
1989 C36 908
Tall Rig/Wing Keel
Toronto, Canada
Laura, you "don't need no stinkin' gauge!" :D:D:D
I suggest you re-read the C36 manual. Catalina has one of the very best "
How to Tune Your Rig" iinstructions I've ever read.
Very simple.
In fact, it was so nice yesterday, sailing in 10 knot winds (unusually light for us here! :cool:) that I did it while under sail.
Easy peasy.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Hi, Stu.
Is this part of the C36 manual posted in the encyclopedia or somewhere? I've looked through my C36 manual and through the C36 website, but I'm not finding it yet.
I need to check my rig too.
Ben
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
Catalina 36 MK I and Mk II manuals are available as pdfs in the C36IA Technical Library. Go to C36IA homepage by clicking on Catalina 36 International Association, lower right corner of this page in the blue band. Then on the homepage click Technical, then click Manuals.
Easy.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Ah, thanks.
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
Thanks to all for the posts.
As usual (for those have ever followed my posts here and on the email ), I simply made up my mind to take all the posts, advice, and read up on the subject and do it myself!
I don't know what I was thinking even considering letting the guy (so called rigger) do it.
I think I have things in pretty good shape now. No more bend in the middle!
Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD
You go, Girl !!! :)
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Yeah, geez, I must have been very tired when I wrote the initial post! Afterall, I have done nearly everything else myself!!
I ended up rebedding all the chainplates and shrouds hardware to eliminate the direct contact with the wood core, so at least I won't get water in the deck core ever again!
I tuned on the hard and we launched yesterday!!! WHOO HOO!
I will fine tune her this weekend. I have a four day weekend. Life is good!
Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD
From memory my first attempt was pretty basic...
1) Check mast is even by measuring with the main halyard equally down to the toe rail on each side (care needed to have the same stretch on the halyard, I used a spring balance)
2) Sailing in a moderate breeze the leeward shrouds should be just a little slack.
3) Uppers and lowers should be about even with each other... I used the spring balance and measured the deflection at 1.8m from deck with 2kg of sideways pull.
Pretty primitive but tided us over until I borrowed a gauge :)
It's a good time to grease the threads on the turnbuckles...
S.V. Wind Star
Rob & Margie Kyles: Auckland ,New Zealand
Mk I Hull #105 1983 Std Rig, Std Keel