Hi,
I'm new to catamarans - I just purchased an old catamaran from a retired gentleman locally. It was made by Sail MFG - called a Dingo. Its a 15 footer. I have experience sailing sn alcort sunfish but the rigging on this kind of stumps me, much more complicated than a sunfish.

I got the directions for the rigging from the sail mfg website but they are quite old, hand typed. I was wondering if anyone else owns one of these and could help with a few pictures of the rigging?

Thanks,

Jon
I had a quick look at the Dingo on the sail MFG website, pretty clear to a cat sailor, the question is, are you familiar with the terminology used on sailboats? Most cats, not all, but most, have just 3 support wires, 2 side,(sidestay/shroud), 1 front (forestay). All 3 wires attach to the mast at the mast tang (called the mast hound in the instructions) using a U-shaped shackle. The forestay must be center between the two outer stays/shrouds. Most cat sailors attach the 2 side stays/shrouds first, connect the mast base with the mast step (socket in center of front cross bar) using a mast step link pin and then pivot the mast up hand over hand. When the mast reaches vertical, a buddy connects the forestay to the bridle wires. In your case you will have to stand on the tramp with the mast placed vertical in front of the front cross beam and dead lift the mast up into the mast step, make sure your side stays/shrouds are loose enough that you can get enough heigh. Then have a buddy attach the forestay. This method can be quite hazardous as you have a 26' mast waving in the air supported only by your shoulder but the shrouds will give you some lateral stability and your buddy in front holding the forestay will give you forward stability. Any questions, clear as mud?

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TurboHobo
H14T
H16
P18
G-Cat 5.0
P16
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Hi Robert,

First, thanks for the reply. My experience is limited to sailing my sunfish, not really familiar with the terms used for all the blocks and tackle. I wanted a bit more than the sunfish and I guess I got it. Raising the mast seems pretty straight forward, the blocks and tackle for the mainsail are a still a bit confusing to me yet.

I believe its time to get my feet wet and spen tomorrow doing a dry run of the rigging. I'll raise a hand if the waters get too muddy.

i would recommend going down to the beach and look at other boats... ask questions... maybe even bring your boat and recruit help... cat sailors are usually very giving of their time, opinion, expertise, ego and LOVE to sound like they know everything (speaking from experience) :)

Get youself a copy of:
Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish (Paperback)
by Phil Berman (Author), Bradford Scott (Illustrator) "The catamaran is an exciting multi-purpose sailboat..." (more)
Key Phrases: shroud yarns, righting line, tiller crossbar (more...)

This is a great book and will be of great help in understanding your new rig.

Something that might not apply, but should... is that the forestay may be adjustable. The further a mast is forward, the easier it is to steer the vessel. But if you fall off... it may keep on sailing straight. If the mast is slightly tilted backward from vertical... it increases the effort to steer the boat but if you fall off... the boat turns to the wind and stops... kinda.

Just something to think about..

Hey guys,

I went thru a dry run in the driveway today - not near as bad as my initial thoughts had made it out to be.

It also gave me a chance to look things over on this old boat a little better - I think this is where the real investment starts:

1. rudders and tillers could use some work,lots of wear/freeplay.

2. the transoms need to be cleaned up from a previous repair job.

3. I really should replace all the lines.

On a brighter note, I can't wait to put this thing in the water, staring at all that sail space and such a small profile touching the water just screams fun.

Anyway I ordered the book thru the library and will be spending a few weeks reading it this winter, fall is here in Wisconsin.

thanks for the help and suggestions,

Jon

You should consider replacing all the shrouds as well... those are pretty important. Also make sure the trampoline is "sound"... you DONT want to fall through (especailly while stepping the mast on the trailer)

PS try soaking all the lines in fabric softner for a day and then rinse them... This may bring alot of life back to them.

if you dont have a wife, you can try a cycle in the washing machine (wife's usually dont like that much)



edited by: andrewscott, Oct 09, 2008 - 09:36 AM

Jon
All the replies give sound advice, remember this, to power up your vehicle, you need to adjust the sail using your boom, thats where the blocks come in, 2 pulleys called blocks connected by a line, known as the mainsheet, the upper pulley connects to the boom and the lower pulley connects to the boat. On most cats there will be a traveler car on the rear crossbar that moves along a track, the lower pulley connects to the car, usually the lower block is identified by it's having a jamb cleat. Hauling on the mainsheet tensions the mainsail and if all the planets are in sync, angle of wind is in alignment with angle of boat, you go really fast.



edited by: turbohobo, Oct 09, 2008 - 03:12 PM

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TurboHobo
H14T
H16
P18
G-Cat 5.0
P16
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