My C36 is a 2002 tall rig with furling main. When trying to "hoist" the main, the out-haul car would stick on the track on top of the boom.
I called Sparcraft, since the rigging is from them, to find that the out-haul car is not from them. It seems that they used the one on Catalina's from another supplier and suggested Garhauer.. I called them and they said they could replace the bearings in the car. That seemed like a good option but I'm preparing to cruise in about 2 weeks and didn't want to have to take the car off the boom and send it to California.
I then went to Catalina Direct and found they had a replacement car which I could get in about 3 days.
Cataliina Direct sells the new car for around $250. They also sell replacement bearing kits for about $20. Seems like a no-brainier but, here's the rub... the new car comes on a short piece of the track, the same track that's on top of the boom. To replace the old with the new, you take off the end cap, butt the two pieces together, and slide the new car onto the track on top of the boom.
Going with the "replace the bearings" option, you have to take the boom off the mast and turn it over so the track is on the bottom of the boom. this allows you to slide the old car with the new replacement bearings onto the track with the car upside down. This prevents the bearings from falling out... trust me they will... I took the car off about 10 years ago and had bearings bounce around the cockpit. Even the Garhauer rep admitted changing the bearings is, I quote, "a pain in the a--".
If you have a car problem and want to change the bearings, it's a job probably best done during the winter haul-out season when you can take the boom into a garage. If you want to go with a new car from Catalina Direct, the part number is Z3655. After I get the new car, I'll keep the track piece they say it comes on and maybe we can mail it around to anyone who wants to go the "replace the bearings" route.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
A followup to my previous message.. Turns out Catalina Direct no longer sells the car with bearings; instead the cars have Delrin (???) slides on top and bottom.
Contrary to my wife's opinion, my boating supplies in the garage is not "a pile of junk".... I actually found the 12" piece of track on which they used to ship the cars with bearings when I replaced it about 12 years ago. As mentioned above, if anyone wants to replace their car's bearings, you'll need a piece of track to get the car off without the bearings bouncing around the boat, as well as to get the car back in place without turning the boom upside down.
I'm willing to lend this to anyone who wants to take on this task. It seems the bearings can be purchased for about $25 from Catalina Direct. All I ask for this is for you to pay for shipping round trip. My normal rental fee for tools/parts is a glass of Pinot Grigio if your ever in Atlantic Highlands, NJ.
As a final note, there is a clip at the forward end of the boom prevents the car from being pulled off the boom. This has to be removed to slide the car on and off and, even though it's only about 3/8ths long, it's a bear to break free. I'm in the process of soaking it with blaster and am going to try a hand held impact driver. Most of the power kit drivers have bits that are too small.
Regards,
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ