Boat Builder Central

If I remember correctly, the Sail Warehouse was where we got the sails for our Catalina 22. They were fine.

Yes, jib and main should be easily able to withstand that gybe, uncontrolled or not, in those windspeeds. I would consider it a stroke of luck that the damage was close to home, and also that it revealed needed repairs. I second the call on the topping lift.

If the sail is cut right and the topping lift properly adjusted, you don't have to touch it. Close reach>ease main sheet>ease vang>lower halyard>either hook reef earing or tighten downhaul>tighten halyard>tighten outhaul>sheet in, harden vang. A lot of books say something about the topping lift; I d...

I get the point about being able to adjust the topping while underway.

Why? You gonna race this baby? Yer talking about what, another 1/4 knot?

There are old sailors. There are bold sailors. But there are very very few old, bold sailors. I think you said that to me a while back. That is commonly said, but I don't think I said it to you. My version is, "There are three stages in sailing: novice, paranoid, retired." The alternative...

Just kidding, Jaysen, of course. You're absolutely doing the prudent, seamanlike thing. There is no upside to taking foolish risks.

If I were a dick, I'd say that's a typical afternoon on SF Bay. But I won't say that.

I can't remember ever seeing that much purchase on a topping lift. 1/8" line is pretty strong, breaking strength about 500#, which would do for anything you were lifting aboard that boat. Obviously, as you say, not for the outboard. Could be an ultra paranoid captain preparing for lifting an MO...

I’m realizing there IS adjustability to the topping lift. I need to figure it out and remember to adjust. It depends on the boat, but on Maverick we never had to adjust the topping lift. It was set so it was just loose enough with full sail and all three reefs with the sheet hardened, so we didn't ...

I don't think the shackle on the backstay is a good solution. What are you going to do when reefing under sail, when the main has to be eased, and supported by the topping lift while you bring the reefing cringle down to the gooseneck? Same when dousing. Maybe I'm visualizing it wrong. If you're goi...