Under deck mast tunbuckle

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c111angels
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Under deck mast tunbuckle

I have a 1990 Catalina MK 1.5 with the under deck mast turnbuckle.

On deck that thru deck fitting had two posts with a hole in each to which a shackle pin could be inserted.

One of the posts sheared off at the deck. I did not realize that that post was part of the under deck turnbucle.

Catalina Direct sells the replacement fitting to replace that thu deck fitting; it is threaded fitting with acron nuts.

Does anyone have a similar setup on their boat?

I have to get to the boat on Eastern Long Island to take pictures of the setup  to share

Charles E. Lapp, III & JoAnne Lapp
Class Sea "M"
1990 C36 MK1.5
Sail # 1053
Great South Bay, Long Island
Peconic Bay, Gardiners Bay
Eastern end of Long Island

 

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Haro
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Posts: 403

Yes, I believe that is a standard feature. I would be curious why it broke.

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Catboat Willy
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Posts: 385

Charles,
We have hull 1041 also a 1990 Mark 1.5. What you are asking about is the standard factory configuration for attachment of the support turnbuckle to the deck. The turnbuckle is there to stop the deck from 'oil-caning' or stopping the movement of the deck. ( Think about the pressure being applied to that part of the deck when you are yanking down on those halyards) It stops the deck from being pulled up as well as shifting. Here's some photo's of mine - perhaps that will help.
Bill
 

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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KevinLenard
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Posts: 209

I'm not 100% clear on your question, but it seems like your boat did not have the normal factory installed fitting with the acorn nuts on the deck?  Per the photos Bill provided, that part from Catalina Direct is the correct replacement. Tightening the turnbuckle inside is important.  Not excessively tight, just snug enough to prevent the deck from lifting during pressure from the shrouds during sailing. K.

Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada

c111angels
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Joined: 10/31/16
Posts: 14

Thank you for the replies and the photo 
On my boat the PO apparently placed a fitting on teach threaded portion  of the thru deck bolts instead of using the acorn nuts. Those fittings were then used to attach the boom vang or the mainsail mast reefing line.

I may have been at fault when I attempted to turn the screwed on fitting to get a better alignment. I guess my brute strength cracked the threaded portion of the bolt and it sheared when the downfall was pulled on.

I ordered a new fitting from Catalina Direct and will see how that fits before deciding on adding any attachments to those bolts
 

Charles E. Lapp, III & JoAnne Lapp
Class Sea "M"
1990 C36 MK1.5
Sail # 1053
Great South Bay, Long Island
Peconic Bay, Gardiners Bay
Eastern end of Long Island

 

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Catboat Willy
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Posts: 385

Charles;
Just a thought after reading your last post regarding attaching the boom vang to that u-bolt fitting. You might want to give additional thought as, in my opinion, the deck would be the last place you would want to attach a boom vang. The deck is under pressure at that point from the upward strain of the halyards and the turnbuckle is there reinforce the deck to prevent upward movement. If you are thinking about attaching a boom vang, you might want to add a fitting to the base of the mast. In my rig, this is accomplished by the use of a pad eye fitted inside the sail track of the mast. Catalina Direct, Rig-Rite or Selden might be able to give you the correct  part number.

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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c111angels
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Joined: 10/31/16
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Bill,
Thank you; I already have that mast fitting and will attach the vang there. Your advice about the turnbuckle fitting is good as I have opposing forces on that thru deck fitting causing unnecessary tension on things.

BTW, Does your mast boot leak below? I have the Catalina boot as well as boot tape and I get rain water below on to my cushion ner the mast

Charles E. Lapp, III & JoAnne Lapp
Class Sea "M"
1990 C36 MK1.5
Sail # 1053
Great South Bay, Long Island
Peconic Bay, Gardiners Bay
Eastern end of Long Island

 

c111angels
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Joined: 10/31/16
Posts: 14

Bill,
Thank you; I already have that mast fitting and will attach the vang there. Your advice about the turnbuckle fitting is good as I have opposing forces on that thru deck fitting causing unnecessary tension on things.

BTW, Does your mast boot leak below? I have the Catalina boot as well as boot tape and I get rain water below on to my cushion ner the mast

Charles E. Lapp, III & JoAnne Lapp
Class Sea "M"
1990 C36 MK1.5
Sail # 1053
Great South Bay, Long Island
Peconic Bay, Gardiners Bay
Eastern end of Long Island

 

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Catboat Willy
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Posts: 385

Charles,
I really don't see any rain water on the cushions from the mast and we do get some heavy rain here in south Florida. Rain water does enter the mast from the holes in the top of the mast and down the sail track but all of that heads to the bilge. I have seen folks stuff every thing from modeling clay to sponge material to stop rain water from coming through that area.  Those mast boots dry out every few years, crack and need to be replaced too. Then I use that tape to compete that seal. Fingers crossed - no problems so far.
Bill

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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c111angels
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Posts: 14

Bill,

Nice picture; where did you get the stern seats and stern shower fixture?

Charles E. Lapp, III & JoAnne Lapp
Class Sea "M"
1990 C36 MK1.5
Sail # 1053
Great South Bay, Long Island
Peconic Bay, Gardiners Bay
Eastern end of Long Island

 

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Catboat Willy
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Joined: 12/22/14
Posts: 385

Charles; Rail seats are by Zacor Solutions; https://www.zarcor.com/products/sternperch/index.php   about $329.00 ....or you could wait a month (my vacation) and I can send you an outline to make them yourself. Very Easy 
Shower on the stern was supplied by Defender Industries.
Charles send me a PM here on the forum and send me your email address. I have some printed material that might help you out.
Bill

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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