[C320-list] Replacement sails and other upgrades

[Donald Lawson]

Alan
As far as new sails go, maybe you can deal directly with Gary Swenson at the Ullman loft in Ventura.  I believe he designed the original 320 sails for Catalina. I don't know where they are built but probably Hong Kong as is Doyle, UK, Etc.  His ads appear in the Mainsheet every so often. Also Doyle and Fx have ads in the Mainsheet. Probably cheaper to deal with a sailmaker vice a Distributer. I removed my Dutchman this summer and installed Lazyjacks. You might also consider a stackpack. My next main will not have grommets in the sail.
 I also agree with Irv that it should be loose footed.  I am going to have a slug attached at the outhaul point this winter. Not a true loose footed main but it works.  I can tie it up at various points and easily slide it on and off. 

For my lazyjacks I had two small blocks installed on each side of the mast between the spreaders, 3 padeyes on the boom, and 2 small horn cleats on each side of the mast at a point just below the boom attachment point. I used very small diameter single braid, 7/64" AmSteel Blue Dyneema for the jack lines.  It is actually cheaper and  stronger than the smallest double braid, i.e. 3/16" Sta Set. I spliced an eye in all ends where you would normally attach a block or thimble. The single braid is so slick there is no need of blocks or thimbles and there is no banging of hardware on my mast or boom. Stuff is easy to splice. Knots slip and slide.  I run the lazyjacks forward and hook them around the horn cleats before leaving the dock so they are out of the way sailing. I have the jack line marked so it is an easy deployment to a predetermined point before drop.  I have my main marked on the leach so that I can clean it up easily during the drop or after anchoring. I marked it before I removed the Dutchman.  Got the idea of using single braid from a Fast 40 from South Africa. The only down side is the Dyneema slips a little on the horn cleat when cleated during sailing. I may attach a tail or cover it at that point.  Maybe all less than $200.  Save $300 over a sail with Dutchman Disks.

 I also run my reef lines through Antal low friction rings (LFRs) lashed  to 1/4" SS rings at all reef cringles ( see Harken T2 block lashing). Not quite as efficient as ball bearing blocks but smaller, stronger, and much cheaper. Friction is reduced significantly. I used Small diameter T900 for lashing the  LFRs to the SS rings and super glued the knots. . Antal LFRs can be found at Mauri Pro Sailing or Jamestown Distributors for less than $20 ea. Many uses for these things. 

Don Lawson
#1005

On Dec 15, 2012, at 3:02 PM, Irving Grunes wrote:

> Alan
> If going new, I suggest 3 line Dutchman and loose footed main.
> Irv Grunes
> #851
> 
> On Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 5:35 PM, Alan Goodman <goodmanalanlee at hotmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> 
>> 
>> I have the original sails (hull 67 1994) and while I considered moving to
>> a bigger boat (C400), I decided to keep the C320.  So now I am going to
>> have to make the expense (is anything spent on a boat ever an investment?)
>> for several upgrades.  I would appreciate your feedback as to how to go and
>> what you may have paid for a similar upgrade.
>> 
>> I almost pulled the trigger earlier this month while Catalina Direct had a
>> 15% off discount on sails, but with only a day left before the sale expired
>> I felt rushed and did not order them.  CD sells Ullman sails from a Ventura
>> CA loft.  I am a Great Lakes cruiser (similar to coastal ocean conditions),
>> so I am interested in Dacron, about 7.0 oz.  I currently have full battens
>> and a bolt rope foot.  I also have the Dutchman flaking system, and CD
>> wanted $500 extra to install the plastic disks/grommets in the sail.  That
>> seemed a bit excessive to me.  Most likely I will be moving to a bigger
>> boat in about 4 years (full retirement afloat), if that affects your
>> recommendations.  Do any of the racers on the forum have gently used Dacron
>> sails they might wish to part with?  Does anyone single hand a slab flaked
>> main without a Dutchman or Lazy jacks?   The head sail seems to me to be an
>> easier choice (less decisions).  Same fabric weight as the main, foam luff,
>> leach and foot cords, etc.  I am looking for thoughts based upon value ...
>> i.e. price to performance.
>> 
>> I also am going to have new interior cushions made for the salon.  Any
>> recommendations as to foam density, foam thickness, other issues I may not
>> be thinking about?  My OEM settee and dinette cushions extend beyond the
>> leading edge (i.e. overhang) of the fiberglass bench structure but do not
>> provide any support.  The edge of these cushions simply roll down behind my
>> calves and are uncomfortable.  Anyone have new cushions made that are flush
>> with the leading edge of the fiberglass bench structure?  Any thoughts
>> about why it might be a good or bad idea?  Also, anyone have any price
>> information as to what I should expect to pay (I'll be taking the existing
>> cushions around for quotes right after the new year).
>> 
>> Lastly, I bought a tufted topper for the aft berth cushions but still
>> don't find the sleeping conditions comfortable.  So I will definitely be
>> purchasing a mattress.  Options are foam or coil spring (I also tried a
>> Coleman air mattress, but it felt way too cold in the early spring and late
>> fall).  Again, any advice thoughts appreciated.
>> 
>> That probably exhausts my boat budget for the upcoming year  ...  air
>> conditioning and a below deck autopilot are in my dreams.
>>