[C320-list] Steering Friction

[Jack Brennan]

Hi Arthur:

I can’t help on access, but I do have some advice on sails, depending on your intended use.

If you’re racing, you’ll always be better off with a good local loft that knows local conditions and can fit the sail exactly.

If you’re a weekend sailor, take a look at Rolly Tasker sails, sold mainly in the U.S. by National Sail and a variety of other outlets elsewhere. Tasker was/is an Australian who pioneered the making of sails in Asia at costs much lower than the locals could do.

They are very good quality, and the word for a long time has been that Tasker does the initial work on sails for many big-name sail lofts, which then add their own touches and sell the sails to you at a much higher price.

I see at National Sail you can get a roller furling 135 for $1,649, maybe a little more if you want some extras. That’s a price that’s hard to beat.

There used to be a lively market in used sails, but the companies that still sell them have sparse web sites these days and generally charge a lot of money for sails of questionable value. Why pay $800 for used when you can get new for $1,600?

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.





Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows

From: Arthurpiotrowski via C320-list<mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 10:27 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com>
Cc: Arthurpiotrowski<mailto:arthurpiotrowski at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Steering Friction

Hello, I apologize for hijacking this discussion, but I need some help. I have read-only access to this group, I tried to contact group admim, no response.

I would like to ask you for one of the following:
1) help me to get full access (I need to be invited to the group)
2) post „Wanted furling genoa 135% for C320”

Thanks for your help.

Art Piotrowski
„Blue Heron”, #330 1996
Clinton, CT

Sent from Artur’s phone

> On Oct 21, 2023, at 11:27 AM, Dennis Cookson via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks for this, Steve. I checked it a year ago and it was fine, but will check again to be sure.
>
> Dennis Cookson
> Catalina 0577
>
>> On 20 Oct 2023, at 18:29, Steve Weinstein via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dennis,
>> Since your boat is out of the water anyway, you may want to check the rudder post to make sure that it is not loose inside the shaft.  If it is wobbling, it will tilt in the shaft when you heal putting uneven pressure on the post which could result in the friction you've been experiencing.  There are several suggested fixes for that including the famous milk bottle strips inserted around the rudder post inside the shaft.  I believe there is a write-up on doing that on the association website.  Obviously there is a more major, permanent repair, but I believe many have used the shims and find it satisfactory.  Just a thought.
>> Steve Weinstein2000 C320 #722, Vega
>>
>>   On Friday, October 20, 2023 at 01:00:12 PM EDT, Dennis Cookson via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for the suggestion Jack, but I was careful to ensure that the rudder and helm were centred when I fitted the new chain & cable, and with tension adjustments since. My boat maintains a straight path with little or no effort at the helm under light winds or on the motor. I believe that the rudder does tend to centre itself in flat conditions, as yours does.
>>
>> It’s only when we’re heeled over that I encounter the resistance I mentioned in my original post. The boat is out of the water now for the winter season and I’ll be looking at ways to deploy the traveler more easily. My lines already enter the cockpit through holes in the dodger but there is currently no way of releasing the cam cleats at each end of the traveler without leaving the cockpit.  As your boat is of similar vintage I guess you must have either relocated these cleats or perhaps have slots cut into the dodger to enable their release? If the former I’d be interested to know how the cleats have been fixed to the cabin top.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Dennis Cookson
>> Catalina, 0577
>>
>>
>>
>>>> On 20 Oct 2023, at 02:52, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan333 at outlook.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dennis:
>>>
>>> Rereading your original message, I'm just wondering: Could you have installed the chain and cable so that the rudder is not straight back when the king spoke is pointing straight up?
>>>
>>> Even being a couple of teeth off on the gear might cause the problems you described.
>>>
>>> Jack Brennan
>>> Sonas, 1988 Catalina 320
>>> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -------- Original message --------
>>> From: Dennis Cookson via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
>>> Date: 10/16/23 2:41 PM (GMT-05:00)
>>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>>> Cc: Dennis Cookson <dennis at cooksons.net>
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Steering Friction
>>>
>>> I replaced the helm wheel chain and cable on our 1999 boat a year or two ago, and have tinkered with the cable tension since to optimise control and sensitivity without over-tightening as per the Edson guide, but I’m not completely satisfied with it. In light winds the helm wheel rotates fairly smoothly, though with a slight load, but in stronger winds when the boat is heeling I find that the wheel is much stiffer in one direction than the other and requires more effort than the wheel auto helm can reliably provide.  Is this normal? I guess that there is friction in the rudder post and sleeve - should it be lubricated, and if so, how?  Or could the bearings for the helm wheel shaft need replacement?
>>>
>>> How does your boat handle with 15 knots of wind and above?  Any comments/advice much appreciated.
>>>
>>> Dennis Cookson
>>> Catalina 0577
>>
>>
>