Catalina Direct knows most measurements in advance.
Sails for Catalina models that were built with the same rigs throughout their production are built to a standard size for your model. In fact, we build many of our sails in the winter to provide quick delivery in the spring. In this case, the luff length of your sail was based on known measurements. Measurements we request from you confirm that your boat matches our standard sail plan.
It's sometimes wise to measure
We’ve been sailing Catalinas for well over 40 years. This experience has taught us it is sometimes wise to ask for the maximum hoist dimension. Providing your measured maximum hoist ensures your new sail will not be too tall for your particular rig/furler combination. A sail built to order may be built to your measured maximum hoist, less about 1% to allow for stretch over time.
The Catalina 28 provides an example of just one instance where a measurement will be necessary. The original standard rig was 38’. Later the factory made the standard rig 35’ and the 38’ mast became the “tall rig”. Some of the original tall rigs and furlers were shortened. Which rig is on your C-28?.
Other instances include when a previous owner installed a halyard restrainer farther down from the mastead than expected. Sometimes link plates were installed below the furling drum to raise the drum and provide additional clearance for a large anchor. Any of these look "factory" but in fact are not. Measuring the maximum hoist takes all of these irregularities into account.
How to measure
Measuring the maximum hoist is easy to do, but confusing to describe. The two drawings below clearly indicate how to measure. Simply choose your type of furler and measure accordingly.
If you have questions after reviewing the drawings, call and talk to one of our Catalina Specialists. They will help determine what furler you have and if measuring is required.
Measuring maximum hoist for furlers equipped with upper swivels that use your boat's jib halyard
If your furler uses the boat's halyard (i.e. Harken, Schaefer, or Hood)
Attach the zero end of a sufficiently long tape measure to the head shackle on the swivel. Hoist the tape using the jib halyard until you have raised the swivel to the top of the furler's foil, being careful not to over hoist it. The halyard restrainer may limit the swivel to a spot below the top of the foil. This is fine. Be careful that you don't hoist the swivel so high as to come off of the top of the foil. This is unlikely, but possible if the halyard restrainer is not properly installed (There is a halyard restrainer, right? If not, call us). Once the swivel has been raised to its maximum desired height, measure the distance to the tack shackle on the drum. Note the furler's make and model, as we'll need this information to make certain the sail is built with the correct size luff tape for your furler. If you are unsure of the make and model of your furler, take some digital photos of it that you can email to us and we'll look it over for you. The only thing left to do now is to call us to discuss which size heads'l will best suit your needs, and order it! We'll have it made just for you.
Measuring maximum hoist for furlers with a integral internal halyard
If your furler uses its own internal halyard (such as the CDI Flexible Furler)
Remove your current heads’l from the furler. Attach the zero end of a long tape measure to the tack shackle on the furling drum. Hoist a tape measure using the furler’s halyard until the tape is raised to the top of the furler’s foil. Don't jam it against the top fitting. Once the furler’s halyard has been raised to its maximum desired height, measure the distance down to the shackle on the drum. Typically there you have a downhaul line for adjustable luff tension. The sailmakes will deduct from the overall luff length to provide for adjustment of the downhaul line at the tack.
Note the furler’s make and model, as we’ll need this information to make certain the sail is built with the correct size luff tape for your furler. If you are unsure of the make and model of your furler, take a few digital photos of it and e-mail to us. The only thing left to do now is to call us to discuss which size heads’l will best suite your requirements. If we don't already have one on the shelf, we’ll have one made just for you.
