[C320-list] Replacing Stem Fitting

[KEN GEIGER]

At Northern Dream today and found she has the new design stem fitting (as in the Catalina Direct link below) with no obvious signs that it is a replacement.  
Ken Geiger
#765 2000

Sent from the all-new AOL app for Android 
 
  On Sat., 8 May 2021 at 13:00, Larry Frank<WindSwept at stx.rr.com> wrote:   #yiv6693164012 #yiv6693164012 -- _filtered {} _filtered {}#yiv6693164012 #yiv6693164012 p.yiv6693164012MsoNormal, #yiv6693164012 li.yiv6693164012MsoNormal, #yiv6693164012 div.yiv6693164012MsoNormal {margin:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:sans-serif;}#yiv6693164012 a:link, #yiv6693164012 span.yiv6693164012MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv6693164012 span.yiv6693164012EmailStyle18 {font-family:sans-serif;color:windowtext;}#yiv6693164012 .yiv6693164012MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered {}#yiv6693164012 div.yiv6693164012WordSection1 {}#yiv6693164012 
Hi Ken,

  

I am not sure but I think that the improved design may have been implemented after production of the 320 ended.  Maybe someone with one of the newer boats can confirm this.  I believe there is a listing of design modifications and hull numbers on the C320IA website but I have not tried to look there for your answer.  Catalina Direct sells the new design fitting and has photographs including some pics of failed fittings too on their website.  The link is: https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/rigging/standing-rigging/stem-fitting-c-320-c-34-c-36/?SearchResults=1

  

Hope this answers all of the questions.

  

Larry

WindSwept 

C320 #246

  

From: KEN GEIGER <kendgb at aol.com>
Reply-To: KEN GEIGER <kendgb at aol.com>
Date: Friday, May 7, 2021 at 9:47 AM
To: "windswept at stx.rr.com" <windswept at stx.rr.com>, "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Replacing Stem Fitting

  

What year or hull number was the new design of stem fitting implemented?

  

Ken Geiger

2000 #765 

  

  

-----Original Message-----
From: windswept at stx.rr.com <windswept at stx.rr.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Fri, May 7, 2021 10:28 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Replacing Stem Fitting

  Dave - Sorry for the delayed response.  We have WindSwept since new in

  1995.  The stemhead was replaced in 2006 when a short horizontal crack

  between the top and next bolt was discovered during a rig inspection.

  This winter my rigger noticed a few cracks in the welds on the deck

  part of the stemhead and recommended replacement.  The first two were

  both the original design.  Now I have the new design. The replacements

  were made with the mast in place using the jib and spin halyards for

  support.  The halyards were secured  to the bow cleats and pulled

  tight. The headsail should be removed.

  Larry

  Get [1]Outlook for iOS

    __________________________________________________________________

  

  From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of

  Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>

  Sent: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 8:08 AM

  To: C320-List at Catalina320.com

  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Replacing Stem Fitting

  

  Larry -  why 2 times?  Was the first replacement the old design?  Did

  you do this with the mast removed, or somehow with mast up and

  supporting the front stay say using a cleat?

  Dave Hupe1994 C320

  (#32)__________________________________________________________________

  ______________________________________

  On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 08:52:36 AM EDT, Larry Frank

  <windswept at stx.rr.com> wrote:

  Agreed that the stemhead should be replaced with new and I recommend

  the new design.  I just replaced the stemhead on WindSwept (1995 #246)

  for the second time.  First was in 2006.  The old design is prone to

  failure as I can attest.  When you go to the bother of taking the

  failed stemhead off and the reinstalling something why not go with a

  new one with a better design?  You may want to check directly with

  Garhauer (Garhauermarine.com) who makes all of them.  You should be

  able to save some money over Catalina or CD.  Be prepared to send in

  the old fitting so they can make sure they get the new one correct.  I

  believe all of the sourcing options will require this and you should

  want to take this approach too as not all C320s are exactly the same.

  Larry

  WindSwept

  C320 #246

  

  

References

  

  1. https://aka.ms/o0ukef