With the first season of sailing on my 86 C34 Mk I now ended, I had experienced a hard time adjusting the outhaul. Taking the boom internals apart looks like the sheaves are crumbling, a real mess! Can anyone tell me the size of the internal sheaves inside the boom and a source for replacement. Very open to advice and suggestions on sheave materials as well as modifying the configuration. Currently it is set up to adjust at the mast end but would prefer to operate from the back of the boat as I am often short-handed.
I have the diagram of the current internal arrangements and also notice Catalina Direct sells a replacement "kit" that provides a greater mechanical advantage (10-1?), but does not include all the internal sheaves or a line that is long enough to run to the rear of the boat for easy adjustment from the cockpit. Was thinking I could purchase the individual components and design/modify as preferred, but not sure if it would be worth it.
Would welcome input on anyone's experience in this area as well as potential resources. Thank you.
Garhauer Marine, https://www.garhauermarine.com/, can probably tell you you the size, and definitely provide a replacement at a reasonable price. 👍👍
Thank you. Sent them an email. No other responses as yet.
Quote from: RaymondP on January 16, 2025, 10:37:26 AMThank you. Sent them an email. No other responses as yet.
Best bet is probably to give them a call. I always dealt with them over the phone. They're very helpful. 👍
Ray : Call Gauhauer @ (909) 985-7513 or 9993 Talk to Bill Felgenhauer or Quedo
A thought
Ron, Guido passed away a few years ago.
Ray : Anyone at Garhauer will be VERY helpful!!
A thought
Hi Ray,
I rebuilt my boom and used the 10:1 outhaul kit from Catalina Direct. Part number Z3822. Worked a treat. Added a longer line to extend it to the cockpit (but haven't fully set that up yet).
Regards,
Derek
Derek : Just out of curiosity - Why would you want the main outhaul line to extend into the cockpit??
A thought?
I would guess it is to make it easier to reach/adjust than in its current location on the boom.
QuoteWhy would you want the main outhaul line to extend into the cockpit??
A thought?
Because sail foot tension should be adjusted as sailing/wind conditions change?
It's the normal setup on a racing boat.
Guys : I understand why a "Loose footed main" should have its tension changed. However, most of us have the main with a bolt rope in the boom groove!!
A thought
Quote from: Ron Hill on February 11, 2025, 02:19:00 PMHowever, most of us have the main with a bolt rope in the boom groove!!
This would make for an interesting survey (?). I bet a lot of folks now days have replaced their "old" bolt rope-style mainsails with loose footed ones.
Noah,
I would agree with you if you've got replacement sails I'll bet most people are running loose foot mains. Like full battens it's just a more evolved technology. I can't imagine any sail maker recommending you stick with a bolt rope foot. The loose foot performs better and has a much wider range of adjustment plus it's much easier to make those adjustments.
I replaced the outhaul rigging on our 90 a few years and it has been a great upgrade. Our main is loose footed and the outhaul control line runs to the cockpit. When the wind picks up I am glad to be able to flatten the main. The components for our 10:1 system were bought individually from Catalina direct and elsewhere. The harken blocks are upsized without swivels. A prior post highly recommended blocks without swivels (our original jammed due to twisted lines). A rigger recommended using dyneema vs. SS wire which works very well. Splicing dyneema comes with a few tricks, but there is plenty of information on line. We replaced the boom sheeves and removed any unnecessary fittings with internal bolts or screws. Tap wood, it has worked well.
I just purchased the 10:1 kit from CD. It comes with everything you need to duplicate the exiating cleat location under the boom. To run it to the cockpit, you'd need to extend the line. I also bought two new shives for the boom end fittings.
As with many projects, I haven't installed it yet, but I look forward to using it. My current outhaul seems brittle enough that I am affraid to pull on it enough to get proper tension.
Alex, I found it helpful to squirt PB Blaster or similar around the crack where the end caps meet the boom on the fwd and aft ends of the boom. Plus remove the screws and squirt into the screw holes both sides of the boom (reinstall if you're going to sail before doing the project). Let it sit until you're ready for the project.
And a heat gun helps as well!
The outhaul kit from Catalina Direct is complete. You get everything you need. Blocks, line, the whole full meal deal. And at $170.00... You better. Just got mine in the the mail the other day. 10:1 should be a great improvement over the 3:1 (which is pretty much useless). Might as well order the boom end sheaves as well. Replace everything. "IF" you are able to remove the self-tapping stainless screws. Just throw them away. (I ended up drilling half of mine out). That was stupid for Catalina to do anyway. The less dissimilar metal corrosion the better. Go with aluminum rivets to keep everything the same.
Good Luck.
K
Quote from: Jon W on March 16, 2025, 11:16:17 AMLet it sit until you're ready for the project.
For whatever reason, I always need reminding on this step. It seems so obvious, but I forget it regularly.