Our replacement 2000 Catalina 36, hull 1897 "Pente" should arrive at our upper Mississippi River Pepin Marina in mid May. I plan on be present when the mast is taken down, taking lots of pictures prior to rigging being taken down. Parts will be labelled and taped. Mast rigging to be shrink wrapped to protect from chaffing in over the road transport. All drawers, doors, etc. taped shut, will have a few rolls bubble wrap on hand to use as needed. Any loose items in cabin secured and protected to prevent rubbing on cabinetry. Should wall mounted dinner table be taken down? Batteries will be disconnected. Sail bags will be strategically placed to brace any large items in cabin. I will be installing a replacement mast collar and have on hand new roll of rigging tape for the spreader boots. I would appreciate suggestions on the mast raising and installation process. The PO has done excellent maintenance and boat is in excellent condition. Bottom paint is good, hull waxed. Suggestions and procedure for mast installation and checking electrical mast connections during mast dropping would be appreciated. Crossing my fingers on this experience.
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
I've only had the mast off my boat once, to replace the rigging, done by a local pro. Before putting the mast back in the boat, I made a pair of 1/4" tempered hardboard 'guides' to protect the teak bulkheads where the mast passes down through the hole in the overhead and down to the mast step. I taped them onto the bulkhead and was glad I did, as it was almost impossible to keep the mast perfectly vertical, it hit the guides a couple times on the way down. Would probably have gouged that plywood pretty good.
The rigger was on deck with a rope about 15 feet up the mast, guiding the base of the mast while the marina operator controlled the crane on the travel lift. It was still not completely vertical coming down through the mast collar, and I had to communicate with the rigger who told the crane operator how to manipulate the boom to tilt the mast as needed. Once in the step, the crane held it in place while the rigger connected the turnbuckles and tuned the rig.
Wasn't terribly difficult, but I'm glad we don't do it every year here on the Chesapeake, like they do in other parts of the country. Those folks can probably offer more advice, since they do it more frequently.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
The admiral and I prepped our boat for transport to Minnesota. Some of the things we did to avoid damage were to remove all rigging from mast, labeled of course, and boxed, we removed the furler drum and placed the extrusion in pipe insulation and secured to mast with heavy cable ties then had shrink wrapped. Table was taken down and stowed well protected in aft cabin. Everything sitting on cabin sole was either boxed or placed on or wrapped in carpet remnants to avoid marring finish. When stepping the mast we rigged the sling from the aft side so the foot would tend to slant away from the bulkhead when lowered through the deck. If your boat has the deck hold down tie rod don’t forget to place the fitting in the mast slot before it is placed in step. Pre check all mast wiring with 9v battery or VOM to be sure bulbs made the trip intact.
Gary Smith
93 MK I, Hull #1231
Std rig; wing keel
M35A Oberdorfer conversion
I will say you found a great boat. I knew the previous owner well and he took very good care of it. Enjoy it as they are a great boat.
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
Spent last night in the boat on the hard in Whitehall. Trucking was originally scheduled for this Monday, but due to one of the latest "ice out" date in many decades, now is delay by 8 days. I was very pleased to find almost no water in the bilge. I suspect an excellent winter cover was the reason. I had to hook up batteries 1 & 2 to have light in the boat. I asked one of the marina mechanics if he thought I should disconnect the batteries for overland transport. He thought not needed. The battery compartment is a FORTRESS (cant move) and batteries are three years old. Any opinions? I will go back next weekend to bubble wrap radar, loose electronics, shrink wrap mast (with carpet strips between stays and mast). Mirrors and sliding doors are taped shut with 2" frog tape. I will use heavy duty zip ties on halyards, sheets etc. that i want to avoid taking completely of, firmly secured to traveler bar or cabin top rails. I will ride back with the trucker. Any other suggestions?
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
We have shipped boats twice from the US to up here. In each case the trucker would not load the mast until it was completely wrapped from top to bottom with shrink wrap. They will not take a risk on any of the rigging coming loose. You might want to ask that ahead of time. If there's a binnacle cover on it you either need to shrink wrap it extremely tightly or take it off. They also would not allow anything not bolted down to be left on deck, it had to be completely clean.