I'll probably have to remove my mast at the end of the season.. I'm giving serious consideration to replacing our 17 year old standing rigging. Catalina Direct sells replacement shrouds and stays. Assuming their web site has current/accurate pricing, materials look to be about $3300 (assuming our chain plates and spreader mounts don't need replacement). Their rigging replacement utilizes swaged fittings on the top ends and compression fittings on the turnbuckle ends. I did a search on this site and found owners thinking about using this replacement rigging, but couldn't find anybody that actually has, so I'll put the question out there again- Has anyone used the Catalina Direct replacement rigging and do they have any comments or best practices they can share?
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Hi,
We had our rigging replaced after 18 years as well.
Our rigger recommended that we use Hayn turnbuckles instead of Catalina direct.
https://www.hayn.com/marine/
He indicated the CD turnbuckles become hard to work with after a couple of years.
I have had no issues after 2.5 summers of sailing and the peace of mind with new standing rigging is "priceless".
Bill L.
Bill & Barb
s/v Northern Lights
2002 Catalina 36 MKII #2086
Rock Hall, MD
Northern Chesapeake
Thanks Bill. I'll check into them. I noticed they are based out of CT. It might be convenient to work with them.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
The upper shrouds attach to the mast via the tear drop fitting on the attached image. I assume at the end of the shroud swaging is some type of ball joint? I don't see any nuts or bolts physically securing the "ball joint housing" to the mast. Does the mast head casting have to be removed to provide access to this "ball joint housing"?
I'm sure I'll find the answer when the mast is pulled in the fall, but wanted to give some thought to it ahead of time. Appreciate any info on this end of the rigging.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
I think Hayn (the manufacturer) supplies Catalina Direct with the HiMod Compression fittings. I've gone ahead and ordered replacement rigging from CD. They have been helpful. CD suggested a close examination of the chain plates, which I recently did. I found several chain plates with small cracks that seem to be constrained to the weld beads. The toggles and other areas of the chain plates appear very sound, but if the welds are deteriorating, it doesn't matter how good everything else looks.
I've done some research on welding stainless. There's a science to it and if not done exactly right, can lead to weakening through stress corrosion. I'm not sure if what I'm seeing is normal for 17 years of exposure to the elements (including time in FL), or an indication of welding issues.
Our re-rigging costs just increased, but I can justify it with an increased piece of mind- we were out with three grandchildren the other day when the weather unexpectedly kicked up.
FYI for those with older rigs, you might take a close look at chain plate welds in addition to the toggles.
If I can compress the photo file sufficiently, I'll post what I'm looking at.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Chain Plate Weld Cracks
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B