Being the proud owner of a magnificent 1987 Standard rig, fin keel, I would like to make her perform as best she can as she dances across Buzzards Bay on a fresh breeze, without interfering too with my re-hydration.
With that said, I'd like to upgrade my mainsheet blocks, as my sailing partner did and continually reminds me of how effortless his trimming has become. I did up grade the traveler a couple of years ago to the new Garhauer 6:1 and it did make the world of difference. SO, if I contact Garhauer, and just request a set of SL mainsheet blocks for my 34, will that be sufficient... or do I need to tell them specifically the blocks that I need? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Also, If I request a rigid boom vang, are there any "package deals" available, as there are for 30 owners?
Happy Hollidays to all !
Tom : Call Garhauer and tell them that you have a 1987 C34.
What I did was to only change out the 3 ( NON SWIVELING)single blocks on the boom. The blocks that attach to the traveler are the originals and work just fine. A thought. :wink:
Tom, I was at the Annapolis Boat Show a couple of years ago and they had the working fraction of a C34 boom and traveler with all of the recommended blocks. Bill Felgenhauer, the owner of Garhauer Marine, wrote down all of the part numbers I would need. They are:
5013 UB ( qty 3)
5014 UB (1)
6013 UB (1)
5017 UB (1)
5019 UB (stand-up)
I still haven't done the upgrade (did do the traveler upgrade), but might this year. Don't know about any package deals, but it can't hurt to ask.
Tom
My records indicate I bought Series 40 blocks from Garhauer in March of 2001. They've changed somewhat their series of blocks, so you'll have to check what it is you personally want to buy. I was very careful in picking out each block catalog number. One thing that's very important: I bought a single block for the mast base, where the mainsheet turns down and then over to the deck organizer. I neglected to ask them to provide the proper fastener for this block, which should simply slide into the pin at the base of the mast. I had to purchase a separate D shackle to fit the hole through the pin and attach the block.
Guys : If you call Garhauer and get Bill, Susan or Guido and tell them the year of your C34 and what the block is used for - it's been my experience you'll get the correct block (complete).
Also tell them if you've changed the size of the original line as that may mean a larger/smaller sheave (and hence a differant block). :idea:
tom, as ron said, if you call garhauer and tell them you want to upgrade your main sheet blocks, they will help you. last season, i called them to ask if there was a main sheet block upgrade, they said yes and sold me a new 6:1 purchase for $150.00, as a kit, 4 new blocks for the boom and a triple block for the traveler. much cheaper than buying separately. excellent upgrade and makes hauling in so much easier....jeff
Echo what Stu said - be sure to let them know what blocks are going to be used on the mast collar. I replaced all of my blocks 3 years ago and Garhauer was able to put the correct shackles on the blocks that go on the mast collar - and I replaced some singles with doubles due to new line routing.
You have almost no clearance so it is important to let them do the work for you. Mine fit perfect.
Thanks for the information. I will call them and let them know I have an '87. While I'm at it, I think I am going to order the ridgid Boom Vang. Do any of you know if it will be necessary to do the wire tracing for the boom/mast as they suggest? Or, if I just tell them it's for a Catalina 34, they will send the correct fittings?
Happy Hollidays to all! :santa
I didn't have to do a tracing when I ordered one from Garhauer for my 1990.
Tom : As Jon said - a tracing is not necessary.
Wrote a mainsheet article when I installed my ridged Vang back around 1998 - look in your CD. They'll give you the correct fittings when you tell them you got a 1987 C34. You'll have to drill and tap about 16 holes (as I recall) to install it. You'll also have to slightly change the routing of the mainsheet line, by eliminating the block just under the goose neck. Don't forget to treat each machine bolt thread with grease or lanacoat.
I found that with the ridged vang I seldom use the traveler when sailing into the wind - just let out some mainsheet line. You're going to like the ridged vang improvement. :thumb: :santa
I would add one addition to Ron's description of the installation that I learned from a great local rigger on Long Island: when attaching stainless equipment to aluminum spars, take a plastic milk carton and cut a gasket out of it to use as a barrier between the SS and the aluminum (obviously applies to all dissimilar metal situations). Works really well. Naturally, you still need to use Lanocote on the bolts, as Ron recommended.
Thank you all for your input! This Association is ALMOST as good as our boats! :santa
Tom, our boat came with the vang installed (PO had it done). I just recalled Ron's earlier post about changing the routing of the mainsheet. What had been done on our boat was the boom bail where the vang meets the boom was doubled in size, and the mainsheet then was led forward along the same line as the vang to the base of the mast.
Here's the block at the base of the mast:
A better mid bail picture
I also installed compression tubes inside the boom because of the corrosion of the stainless bolts through the aluminum boom. Jon Arck's "de-booming" outside the Golden Gate in an unplanned gybe gave us the idea.
Cleaned up a bit
Bail and compression tube (before I put on the plastic fender washers -- see next photo)
Installed plastic fender washers against the boom to separate the bail from the boom.
The choices for the compression tube were either stainless or aluminum. It's a hard choice: the boom is aluminum, the bolt is stainless, so the bolt's eating away at the aluminum boom. If the compression tube was aluminum, it wouldn't eat at the boom, but the stainless bolt would work on the inside of the tube -- so that you either have a dilemma either way, or make lemonade out of lemons and have a choice of tube material!!!. So, I found tubes that were stainless (all they had!!!) and coated the outside of the tubes with Lanocote when I put them in through the boom.
Tom : When you get your Garhauer Boom Vang it'll have instructions on how to mount it.
I noted that in Stu's picture his vang attachment on the boom is much further aft that where I mounted mine. My attachment on the boom is just forward of the 1st boom bail for the mainsheet line. The attachment on the mast is just above the 2 screw small bail in the mast track just above the deck. There's a picture in the Mainsheet of mine, but I don't recall how much detail you can see.
I took the vang control line and the mainsheet line and ran them thru a new BB double block that attaches to that small bail. I changed out the double turning block deck organizer to a BB triple. I also got a triple guide to replace the double guide on the traveler. I mounted a cam cleat on the same teak block that the rope stopper and the jam cleat are mounted on.
As I said the mainsheet now parallels the vang to that double block.
As mentioned, you can take a "Forster" drill bit and make your own plastic fender washers out of old milk bottles to protect the boom.
A few thoughts. :wink:
Stu, thanks for the visuals! The lenghtened bale for the block under the vang is of particular help, as I was trying to think how that might be done, as is the picture of the block at the base of the mast.
After the solid vang and traveler upgrade from Garhauer I decided that the mainsheet blocks were next.
This past week I call Garhauer and spoke with Guido at 909-985-9993. After only explaining what I had for two minutes he suggested that size 40-x blocks would work and offered to fax me a suggested layout of the blocks.
I have attached the PDF he emailed to me and a pic of my original blocks.
Steve
Steve,
I opened up your PDF file & the top section has been cut off. Is there any pertinent info in the missing section?
Thanks,
Ron
Ron,
The PDF is how I received it from Guido at Garhauer. I believe it concerned attachment options
that may not have been related to the actual blocks and thier setup. Hopefully I will receive the black today or Friday,
West to East coast shipping is not always the fastest.