My Ocean-Going Catamaran Gets Sails!

Sails for My Ocean-Going Catamaran!

In absolutely huge news for the progress of this catamaran refit, I’ve got the sales for the boat. But not just any sales – I’ve actually got the official size Waren Pahi 42 sails! These came from the owner himself, who came by yesterday and dropped them off.

I’m going to get the main sail out now and just double-check the measurements and everything. But that also means, for those sales and for optimum sailing performance, I need to have my mast at an angle of exactly 4° – this way, the sails are going to fit perfectly and it also provides more lift when sailing.

Progress Update & Preparing for Sails Installation

I didn’t film it because I just wasn’t sure that it was going to work out, and also, it takes a lot of concentration to get everything flat and level. But I’ve created a double wedge for the mast step so that it sits at that angle.

Important Knowledge Gained

I was talking to Hanukah last week and she said, “I really need to get these sails because the sails determine everything.” This includes the mast angle and if my sails were a right-angle triangle, then I would have the mast vertical. But in this case, because there’s a slight angle on it to get that ultra-good sailing performance, I have to put this little wedge on.

Preparing for Mast Step Wedge

She also said, “Just use that (backing plate material) – cut two strips of it and it will be just fine.” Last week, you saw me pretty much getting there with installing the intermediate shrouds, but to put those on, I need four hands. So, I’m going to just wait on that until my parents are here in a week.

Upcoming Tasks List

• Attach the mast foot.
• Find tune the angle on it – my hand plane is a little bit dodgy.
• Order my dynema, measure it, and make rigging (total of 13 stays with six mini-stays from bridle).
• Reinforce engine reinforcing straps, which attach to the beam.
• Work on my tanks, as well as the engine wiring to the battery.

Mast and Sails Installation Plan

Once my parents are here in a week, I’ll hopefully do the oil seal with my dad (he’s really good with that sort of thing). I need to put attachment points on both the mast as well as the boat. And, of course, bolt on those chain plates but I’m going to wait till I’ve got two people to do that.

Other Refit Updates

• Bolt on the mast base – again, I need two people to do that.
• Attach the aft beam properly (which is not properly attached at the moment).
• Bolt on the sail track slides for the sales (I’ve got the original sails which don’t fit perfectly).
• Create attachment points for the four stay bridal, which will attach to each end of the front beam.
• Do the mast lighting cables for the steaming light and the mast top light, as well as the mast antenna wiring.
• Measure and order all my running rigging (I’ve already measured it and I’ve got a rough idea of what I’m going to need).

Towards the Goal

There’s probably loads of other little bits and bobs which will come up, but that is a slightly exhaustive list of what I need to do to get the mast up. Obviously, getting the mast up isn’t the end – there’s still a lot of things to do like needing winches and all sorts of stuff. But once the mast’s up, then it’s kind of all the really fun stuff, and getting the boat to move and sail.