Mainsheet Friction Fix?

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mike37909
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Mainsheet Friction Fix?

My mainsheet never seemed to work well, but sailing the other day with gusts to 30 we couldn't pull it in very well.  The winch looks way too small for one thing.  Also, is the sheet supposed to be 1/2'"?  Seems too much friction.  My traveller works great.  
Has anyone had any luck improving mainsheet function with thinner lines, or new blocks?  I didn't see anything wrong with the blocks I have but they could be original from 84 for all I know.  

Mike

Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306

 

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pkeyser
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Mike-
If you have in-mast furling on your main:
-Head upwind a bit prior to furling to ease the force on the sail.
-Reduce some tension on the halyard prior to furling.
-Experiment with either the topping lift or boom vang so the boom end is slightly elevated.  

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

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mike37909
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I do not have in mast furling.  
Mike

Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306

 

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pkeyser
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It would be nice to have the signature feature reactivated in this forum.
Check to see if your halyards are showing fraying/wear. I experienced increasing resistance raising and lower our mainsail on our C30 and thought it was a problem with the masthead sheaves. I also noticed the "friction" appeared to increase the higher the main was hoisted. It turned out the the spare halyard and main halyard had a single wrap around each other inside the mast. Obviously, the mast has to be pulled to fix this

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

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mike37909
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I do not have any trouble raising the sail, just too hard to pull in mainsheet.
Mike

Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306

 

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Sojourn
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Posts: 163

Hi Mike,

A couple of things.  If the blocks are original equipment, they are not ball bearing blocks and probably have a higher frictional load.  Secondly, the wind levels are quite high and may have contributed greatly to the load and, lastly, I agree 1/2" line is too large.  Catalina direct sells 7/16" mainsheet line.  I personally use 3/8" line.  I feel, a high quality line at 3/8" is fine and is still thick enough to have a good "hand feel."  I have replaced all the blocks with Garhauer ball bearing blocks and would recommed you do the same.  The manufacturer is not as important, they're all good blocks, the ball bearings are important.  If you have a model 18 winch or higher, you're fine with the changes I suggest.

Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 MK1, Hull #495
 

Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 Mk-I TR #495
Eldean Shipyard
Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) Lake Michigan
Rallyback@comcast.net

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Thanks Lou!  I will change blocks and line. My mainsheet may be 7/16 not 1/2 heck I don't know but i may try 3/8.   Just wanted a second opinion.  Have you seen the mainsheet kit on catalina direct?  Is it a good deal and good equipment?  

Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306

 

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Sojourn
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Mike,

On my 1985 C36 MK1, the mainsheet starts with a deck mounted pad eye on the port side and then goes through the blocks on the boom and traveler.  The free end of the line then goes to the stand up swivel block on the starboard side, which then leads to deck mounted cheek block which turns the line to top of the cabin through a rope clutch to the winch.  
The drawing above is from the original manual.  Mine is, of course, different now , but the swivel block and cheek block are clearly visible on the starboard side, the pad eye is across from the swivel block on the port side.

HOpe this clearifies things.

Lou

Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 Mk-I TR #495
Eldean Shipyard
Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) Lake Michigan
Rallyback@comcast.net

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mike37909
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Thanks! Mine is set up exactly like this drawing.

Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306

 

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mike37909
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I researched these blocks on the Catalina Direct website.  They look like Garhauer.  i don't see anything better pricewise that is equivalent.
I will order.
Mike

Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306

 

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Chachere
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Posts: 825

Mike - You might just try ordering direct from Garhauer.   www.garhauermarine.com/mast-boom.html You'll probably save a few $$. 

PS - Just noticed when I went there that Guido Gargiulo, one of their 2 founders, passed away earlier this year.  He was very helpful in working with me to design a slightly customized replacement traveller a while back.  www.catalina36.org/comment/55992#comment-55992

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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Clifford Bassett
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Main Sheet :

The other consideration when replacing halyards and sheets, is the way the line feels in your hands.  I went with 1/2" inch for my Main Sheet because it is easier on the hands. If you go with the smaller diameter line, you should consider a higher quality line (higher tensile strength).  Make sure your blocks and line stoppers can handle the line you choose.  The newer ball bearing blocks work so much better than the old ones.  Garhauer the best.  My 1984 Catalina 36 came with only One (1) Port side cabin top winch size 16, I have replaced with Two (2) winches size 30, on both Port and Starboard.   

Clifford Bassett
s/v " Red Dog "
1984 C-36 Hull # 260
M25 SR/FK
​Holland, Michigan
 

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mike37909
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I guess I have the number 16 original self tailing winches on cabintop.  I noticed west marine has buy one get one on some lewmar winches.  I already ordered new garhauer blocks.  I suppose the winches are fine once i fix the blocks and oversized 1/2 line.  

Catalina 36 MK1
1984 Hull #306

 

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EUREKA
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Posts: 115

Hi,

we just to race our C36, so quite sensitive to reduce weights and frictions.
We changed all the blocks and jammers to Antal bearing ones (might be a little more expensive) but how many times you will change your blocks...? So it worth to mo move to a premium brand. Regarding main sheet, we are using a good dyneema 3/8", and is far enough for our relatively small (30qm) mainsail.
just a thought.

Eladio Vallina

C-36 TR EUREKA II
Hull 1122 (1991)
Home port Barcelona (Spain).

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