weird Catalina 36 reefing rig

[welljim]

Hi all,

I'm helping a friend who just bought a Catalina 36 MK2. We hoisted the mainsail the other day for inspection, and while the sail itself is in good condition, there is something odd going on with his 1st reef. The reefing line correctly goes through the luff cringle, and disappears into the boom. But nothing comes out of the back of the boom and the leech cringle just sits there empty. As a result, putting the 1st reef does bring the luff down, but obviously the leach flogs and bellies as there is nothing pulling the sail down onto the boom. The 2nd reef is rigged correctly and works as expected.

Does anybody have a guess of what happened there, and is there any diagram available online illustrating how to fix it? Do we need to open up the boom to rig correctly? Does it even "open", or is it just an alu extrusion?

Any help appreciated
Thanks

[Stu Jackson]

You might be able to find the manuals online at the C36 Association website Catalina 36/375 International Association | "It's always nice when there is a support network for used boat buyers and Catalina 36 has one of the best" (Boat US) or join their Forum and ask there.

[welljim]

Thanks for the pointer, however they require a membership fee before they allow document access and my buddy is cheap

[Stu Jackson]

Gee, too bad. If he's really cheap, then, of course, he doesn't need any manuals either. Good luck with your friend. It'll only get worse. IIRC, there's an associate membership that gets the on line info without spending the $25 per year (gasp!) which gets you the magazine, which he probably wouldn't read.

Pound wise...

I'd give you a link to another website which has similar booms, but it'd cost him a penny.

[jackdale]

If it is single line reefing, this is what to expect

[DennisRyan]

The reef line for my first reef goes into the pulley on top of the boom 3 inches from the boom end near the mast. The line travels thru the boom to emerge on top of the boom 4 inches from the outer end of the boom . From there the line goes up thru the reef #1 cringle , then down and around the boom and is tied off to the boom.
you will need a fish tape to snake that reef #1 thru the boom. you will also have to remove the aluminum end cap at the outer end of the boom in order to feed the new line thru the pulley. It's not hard to do, just a little time consuming.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by welljim

Hi all,

I'm helping a friend who just bought a Catalina 36 MK2. We hoisted the mainsail the other day for inspection, and while the sail itself is in good condition, there is something odd going on with his 1st reef. The reefing line correctly goes through the luff cringle, and disappears into the boom. But nothing comes out of the back of the boom and the leech cringle just sits there empty. As a result, putting the 1st reef does bring the luff down, but obviously the leach flogs and bellies as there is nothing pulling the sail down onto the boom. The 2nd reef is rigged correctly and works as expected.

Does anybody have a guess of what happened there, and is there any diagram available online illustrating how to fix it? Do we need to open up the boom to rig correctly? Does it even "open", or is it just an alu extrusion?

Any help appreciated
Thanks

You're "helping" someone and you can't figure this out? You've got to be kidding, yes?

[Geoff54]

Not sure which system you have but catalina used two different types of single line reefing. There are minor variations but the earlier version used two separate lines (leech and luff) that connected to a floating butterfly block inside the boom. Newer system use a single line that passes through the boom. Either way your reefing line is jammed up inside the boom. You are going to have to fish it out or, if you cant get at it, drill out the rivets and remove the fitting at one end of the boom. When my outhaul jammed (butterfly block sheave broke up), it was easier to support the front of the boom on the main halyard and drill out rivets that connect the boom extrusion to the goose neck fitting.These should give you some idea. Happy fishing.

[tomdidit]

If your buddy is cheap then joining the association, either C36 or C34 as they are the same boat for the most part, would be very cost effective. They are a wonderful resource for everything about the boats. People have been finding work arounds for problems for 30 years and the answers are on the site. Or, hire a professional and see what things really cost.

If your friend is really that cheap he made a big mistake as boats are expensive. Friends that have knowledge can help, but the $$$$ will still flow.

You have been given the correct answers above. Just for our understanding, where did the line that you pushed into the boom go to be secured so you could supposedly reef at the mast end?

[John_Trusty]

Don't take this to heart, Welljim, these guys are just crusty sailors, but their advice is right on about re-rigging this. You want to avoid that floating butterfly block arrangement, which even Catalina figured out was a bad idea, and just send the reefing line back to the aft block. You can perhaps avoid removing the end-cap by making a loop out of clothes hanger and sending it down the block hole to 'catch' your fish tape as it moves aft, and then pulling it up. Save you some time.

If you remove the rigid vang connection, you lay some protective towels under the boom to save your gelcoat, and lower the entire boom into the cockpit for easier work. I agree with Tommy and Stu, joining the C36 association is money well-spent and will save money within the year.

[psk125]

Maybe you could give him a "boat present" of a year's membership in the association? Might get you invited out for a sail. If he's really that cheap, though, don't forget to bring your own beer.