While looking at the new 355 and 445 at the Sydney Internation Boat Show, one of the features that we really liked was the repositioning of the attachment points for the backstays. They have been moved forward and to the side of the boat. This means you are not climbing around them at the stern. It also means there are no holes in the bimini.
When I looked at the attachment points on the 375, it did not look like a major job to move them.
Comments/ideas?
—
Cat375 - Rock The Boat - Hull 54
Lake Macquarie - NSW - Australia
I think your question should be answered by the designer. The attachment may look simple, but there is no way of knowing what extra support is buried under the fiberglass. Also not sure how moving the attachment points will effect the loads on the rigging and mast.
I would send your change proposal to Gerry Douglas at Catalina Yachts and ask for his opinion. Gerry at catalinayachts dot com Include pictures and diagrams as necessary to support your proposal.
Ken and Vicki Juul
SV Luna Loca
C34 #1090
Chesapeake Bay
I want to add to Ken's comment on moving the back stays or moving anything for that matter.
This past winter I visited the Catalina factory in Largo, Florida. During the tour I had the chance to see, first hand, several boats in the process of construction and assembly. EVERY single point of stress on the boat has a reinforcement of some kind built in. Some places are wood some places are metal.
I'd suggest that you consider that, when you think about adding or moving items that will be under a load.
Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252