[C320-list] Masthead Sheaves on Older Models

Fri Jun 12 20:58:48 PDT 2009

Maybe we should do a group order?
Bruce
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-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Church <jc387 at att.net>

Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:39:25 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Masthead Sheaves on Older Models

FYI,

I've been told that ball-bearing masthead sheaves make raising the sails 
much much easier. A few years ago I asked Garhauer about them. Guido 
told me that sometime past he had made ball-bearing sheaves for the 320, 
and he could make them again if I provided the specs. I never got around 
to it, but if you are going through the trouble of replacing the sheaves 
you might want to give him a call.

JeffC

Scott Thompson wrote:
> David:  The Catalina 320 Standard Mast Handbook that you mention does 
> not appear to be on the Charleston Spar (now Sparcraft) web site.  But 
> it is still available on the C320 Association web site.  You can find 
> it here:
>
> http://www.catalina320.com/filemgmt_data/files/Catalina320_Standard_Mast.pdf 
>
>
> I suspect that the two middle sheaves (not even visible unless you 
> take the masthead cover off, apparently) were intended for spinnakers 
> with the halyards exiting above the two rollers that you mention, and 
> run to blocks on a spinnaker crane from there.  But I'm speculating 
> about this and don't really know if that would work.  The OC 1 
> description on the Sparcraft website does say that this masthead 
> supports a main halyard, a main "lift," 2 genoa halyards AND 2 
> spinnaker halyards.
>
> David J Gleason wrote:
>> Two years ago I replaced the sheaves at the mast head on Proud Mary,
>> #150, 1994 vintage.  Scott is correct in that the sheaves are Acetal
>> (plastic).  However he did not go into the details of what needed to be
>> done beyond removing the instrumentation at the top of the mast.  The
>> masthead is the OCI shown on their listings.  There are six sheaves, 4
>> are 50 x 14. two are 60 x 14 plus there are two 10 x 16 x 15 rollers. 
>> The sheaves and rollers are set on straight pins that slide into groves
>> on both sides of the masthead.  In order to remove the straight pins,
>> they have to be lifted out of the mast head with both the sheaves
>> attached.  This prevents anyone from going up the mast on anything
>> attached to the mast head.  I believe it is necessary to un step the 
>> mast
>> to accomplice the replacement.   I was able to print out a detail 
>> diagram
>> from Charleston Spar titled "Catalina 320 Standard Mast Handbook" some
>> years ago.  I am able to find it again, at:
>> http://www.charleston-spar.com/us/technical_support/technical_brochures/m 
>>
>> astheads/fichiers/masthead_ocean.pdf   I hope this helps explain the
>> details of what is involved in the replacement.  I had ordered the parts
>> from Philip Polland at 704-597-1502, ex 767, ppollard at crowleys.com  in
>> September, 2007.  I note their phone number has changed.  Their current
>> web site: Crowleys.com gives 773-221-9990.  It might be wise to try to
>> old number first to see if still active.  Now, if anyone can tell me how
>> the two middle sheaves and rollers are used, I would certainly 
>> appreciate
>> it.  I only run a main halyard and messenger from the aft sheaves, a jib
>> halyard and spinnaker halyard from the forward sheaves.  I do not have a
>> spinnaker crane.
>>
>> Dave Gleason
>> Proud Mary, #150
>>
>>
>> On Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:58:02 -0400 Scott Thompson
>> <surprise at thompson87.com> writes:
>>> Looking at the mast manual from Charleston Spars on the Association 
>>> web site it looks like the sheaves are "Acetal."  They are not all 
>>> the same size.  Of course I don't know whether that applies to early 
>>> boats, but the pictures in the manual look just like my 1999 boat's 
>>> masthead.  The design appears to require you to remove the mast head 
>>> cover in order to remove the sheaves.  The masthead cover is the 
>>> black insert in the top of the masthead in this picture:
>>>
>>>
>> http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=1&s=20081116101601205 
>>
>>> Of course if you have the usual array of windex, wind speed 
>>> instruments,   anchor light, antenna, etc. as in the picture then 
>>> you will have to remove some of that first because it will be in the 
>>> way and maybe even blocking access to the masthead cover.  So once 
>>> you are up there (and I mean WAY up there to get access to the top 
>>> of the mast) you get to remove all of that hardware.  Don't drop any 
>>> of course.  Nor any of the mounting screws.  Then you get to remove 
>>> the masthead cover (and more screws), and finally figure out how to 
>>> get the sheaves out with the
>>> weight of the halyards on them.  (Don't forget to not disconnect the
>>> halyards holding you up.  This is going to require switching 
>>> halyards at some point if you want to replace all of the sheaves.)  
>>> Then put it all back together.  No problem.
>>>
>>> Personally, I find changing a lightbulb up there to be a challenge.
>>>
>>> Scott Thompson
>>> Surprise, 653
>>>
>>>
>>> warren updike wrote:
>>>> I'm sure someone with a 1994-5 model knows what kind of sheaves 
>>> there are at
>>>> the mast head.  I think the choices are plastic like those at the 
>>> boom end
>>>> or some other more durable material. 
>>>> I was planning on un-stepping the mast last fall; but, the market 
>>> changed my
>>>> plans as it did for many others.  I'm also wondering if replacing 
>>> the
>>>> sheaves is doable from a boson's chair?
>>>>
>>>> Warren & Pattie Updike
>>>> Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
>>>> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Scott Thompson
>>> Surprise, #653
>>>
>>>
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