[C320-list] running rigging
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Louis Friedman via C320-list
Apr 5, 2026, 12:38:52 PM (2 days ago) Apr 5
to C320...@catalina320.com, Louis Friedman
Hi all,
Just finished replacing a frayed spinnaker halyard and now I realize the
rest of my rigging looks terrible in. comparison! Thinking I'll replace
more of rigging - vang, traveler at least. Any tips? Catalina Direct
seems the simplest way but I suppose I can also go on there to get
measurements and then order line from West Marine.
Lou F.
MissAdventure #632
Just finished replacing a frayed spinnaker halyard and now I realize the
rest of my rigging looks terrible in. comparison! Thinking I'll replace
more of rigging - vang, traveler at least. Any tips? Catalina Direct
seems the simplest way but I suppose I can also go on there to get
measurements and then order line from West Marine.
Lou F.
MissAdventure #632
Justin Cherry via C320-list
Apr 5, 2026, 12:52:59 PM (2 days ago) Apr 5
to C320...@catalina320.com, Justin Cherry
I just ordered new Genoa Sheets from Defender Marine - the prices and selections were better than West Marine.
Measurements are pretty easy to locate:
Catalina 320 Running Rigging — Specs
Halyards Main and jib halyards: 3/8" diameter, 115' each (2 halyards). Catalina Direct specs them as double braid with a polyester cover and Dyneema core — extremely low stretch, about 1/4 that of all-polyester. Catalina Direct <https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-320/rigging/running-rigging/line/halyard-set-c-310-and-c-320/> These run aft to the cockpit.
Genoa Sheets Standard spec on a C320 with a 135–140% furling genoa is typically 7/16", around 55–60' each (or one continuous ~110–120' sheet run through the clew). The larger diameter vs. halyards is intentional — sheets see heavier loads and benefit from easier hand grip.
Mainsheet Typically 7/16", around 55–60' depending on the traveler/block arrangement on your boat.
Topping Lift Usually 3/8", roughly 55–60' — mast height plus some for adjustment at the cockpit end.
Boom Vang Typically 3/8", around 30–35'.
Furling Line (Genoa) Around 40–50' of 3/8" Dacron depending on the drum size and furler setup.
A few caveats worth flagging:
The C320 was produced from 1993–2008 and the Mark II came along in 2007, so there are some variations across years. Catalina Direct notes that the factory lengths are a baseline, but a previous owner may have rigged things differently — always worth confirming on your specific hull. Catalina Direct <https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-320/rigging/running-rigging/line/halyard-set-c-310-and-c-320/>
Also, the Quantum Sails tuning guide for the C320 specifically recommends replacing the OEM jib and main halyards, noting that they stretch excessively — which lets the sail draft increase and move aft in a puff, causing unwanted heel. C320 <https://www.c320.org/article.php/20040828173431380>
JC
MadameX #249
Measurements are pretty easy to locate:
Catalina 320 Running Rigging — Specs
Halyards Main and jib halyards: 3/8" diameter, 115' each (2 halyards). Catalina Direct specs them as double braid with a polyester cover and Dyneema core — extremely low stretch, about 1/4 that of all-polyester. Catalina Direct <https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-320/rigging/running-rigging/line/halyard-set-c-310-and-c-320/> These run aft to the cockpit.
Genoa Sheets Standard spec on a C320 with a 135–140% furling genoa is typically 7/16", around 55–60' each (or one continuous ~110–120' sheet run through the clew). The larger diameter vs. halyards is intentional — sheets see heavier loads and benefit from easier hand grip.
Mainsheet Typically 7/16", around 55–60' depending on the traveler/block arrangement on your boat.
Topping Lift Usually 3/8", roughly 55–60' — mast height plus some for adjustment at the cockpit end.
Boom Vang Typically 3/8", around 30–35'.
Furling Line (Genoa) Around 40–50' of 3/8" Dacron depending on the drum size and furler setup.
A few caveats worth flagging:
The C320 was produced from 1993–2008 and the Mark II came along in 2007, so there are some variations across years. Catalina Direct notes that the factory lengths are a baseline, but a previous owner may have rigged things differently — always worth confirming on your specific hull. Catalina Direct <https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-320/rigging/running-rigging/line/halyard-set-c-310-and-c-320/>
Also, the Quantum Sails tuning guide for the C320 specifically recommends replacing the OEM jib and main halyards, noting that they stretch excessively — which lets the sail draft increase and move aft in a puff, causing unwanted heel. C320 <https://www.c320.org/article.php/20040828173431380>
JC
MadameX #249
Tim Van de Water via C320-list
Apr 5, 2026, 1:04:22 PM (2 days ago) Apr 5
to C320...@catalina320.com, Tim Van de Water
I have used a combination of the West Marine rigging shop and Cajun Ropes
(in Nova Scotia). Cajun Ropes have a dedicated spec sheet for our boat
which makes it very easy to order. Only issue with Cajun is the tariff you
have to pay when they ship your order!
*Tim Van de Water*404.790.2208
tj.van...@gmail.com
(in Nova Scotia). Cajun Ropes have a dedicated spec sheet for our boat
which makes it very easy to order. Only issue with Cajun is the tariff you
have to pay when they ship your order!
*Tim Van de Water*404.790.2208
tj.van...@gmail.com
Louis Friedman via C320-list
Apr 5, 2026, 2:18:48 PM (2 days ago) Apr 5
to Tim Van de Water, Louis Friedman, C320...@catalina320.com
Thanks all. will go shopping!!
Lou
On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM Tim Van de Water <tj.van...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Lou
On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM Tim Van de Water <tj.van...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Dan Petticord via C320-list
Apr 5, 2026, 2:38:15 PM (2 days ago) Apr 5
to C320...@catalina320.com, Dan Petticord
I have been replacing our running rigging over the last two years. I put
this together, and it might get you started. All the lengths are a little
bit long, because I do my own splices and would rather have a couple extra
feet rather than be a couple short. The Ez Glide lines are
cannibalized from our old boat, but they seem to fit fine so far.
I generally buy everything from Defender, but you just missed their spring
sale, so prices vis West probably will depend on the specific line you
choose.
Application
Type/Brand
Size
Length
Color
New
Boom Vang
Sta-Set/XLS3
8mm - 5/16
40
Grey
?
Furling Line
Sta Set
8mm - 5/16
77
White/Green
May-25
BackStay Adjuster
XLS3
11mm - 7/16
55
Green/White
May-26
Main Halyard
VPC Performance
10mm - 3/8
110
White/Blue
May 26
Jib Halyard
VPC Performance
10mm - 3/8
110
White/Red
May 26
Spin Halyard
VPC Performance
10mm - 3/8
110
White/Green
May 26
Main Sheet
MLX3
11mm - 7/16
100
Grey/Yellow
August 25
Jib Sheet
Regatta/Trophy
11mm - 7/16
100
Blue
?
Outhaul
XLS3
10mm - 3/8
60
White/Red
May 26
Topping Lift
XLS3
8mm - 5/16
100
White/Blue
August 25
Traveller
Sta Set
8mm- 5/16
70
White/Blue
May 26
Ez Glide (x2)
XLS3
8mm - 5/16
25
White/Yellow
May-22
!st Reef Forward
VPC Performance
8mm- 5/16
54
Navy
March 26
1st Reef Aft
VPC Performance
8mm - 5/16
20
Navy
March 26
Preventer
XLS3
10mm - 3/8
75
Blue
May-25
On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM Louis Friedman via C320-list <
Dan Petticord
this together, and it might get you started. All the lengths are a little
bit long, because I do my own splices and would rather have a couple extra
feet rather than be a couple short. The Ez Glide lines are
cannibalized from our old boat, but they seem to fit fine so far.
I generally buy everything from Defender, but you just missed their spring
sale, so prices vis West probably will depend on the specific line you
choose.
Application
Type/Brand
Size
Length
Color
New
Boom Vang
Sta-Set/XLS3
8mm - 5/16
40
Grey
?
Furling Line
Sta Set
8mm - 5/16
77
White/Green
May-25
BackStay Adjuster
XLS3
11mm - 7/16
55
Green/White
May-26
Main Halyard
VPC Performance
10mm - 3/8
110
White/Blue
May 26
Jib Halyard
VPC Performance
10mm - 3/8
110
White/Red
May 26
Spin Halyard
VPC Performance
10mm - 3/8
110
White/Green
May 26
Main Sheet
MLX3
11mm - 7/16
100
Grey/Yellow
August 25
Jib Sheet
Regatta/Trophy
11mm - 7/16
100
Blue
?
Outhaul
XLS3
10mm - 3/8
60
White/Red
May 26
Topping Lift
XLS3
8mm - 5/16
100
White/Blue
August 25
Traveller
Sta Set
8mm- 5/16
70
White/Blue
May 26
Ez Glide (x2)
XLS3
8mm - 5/16
25
White/Yellow
May-22
!st Reef Forward
VPC Performance
8mm- 5/16
54
Navy
March 26
1st Reef Aft
VPC Performance
8mm - 5/16
20
Navy
March 26
Preventer
XLS3
10mm - 3/8
75
Blue
May-25
On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM Louis Friedman via C320-list <
c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> Thanks all. will go shopping!!
>
> Lou
>
> On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM Tim Van de Water <tj.van...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I have used a combination of the West Marine rigging shop and Cajun Ropes
> > (in Nova Scotia). Cajun Ropes have a dedicated spec sheet for our boat
> > which makes it very easy to order. Only issue with Cajun is the tariff
> you
> > have to pay when they ship your order!
> >
> > *Tim Van de Water*404.790.2208
> > tj.van...@gmail.com
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 12:39 PM Louis Friedman via C320-list <
> > c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> Just finished replacing a frayed spinnaker halyard and now I realize the
> >> rest of my rigging looks terrible in. comparison! Thinking I'll replace
> >> more of rigging - vang, traveler at least. Any tips? Catalina Direct
> >> seems the simplest way but I suppose I can also go on there to get
> >> measurements and then order line from West Marine.
> >>
> >> Lou F.
> >> MissAdventure #632
> >>
> >
>
--
> Thanks all. will go shopping!!
>
> Lou
>
> On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM Tim Van de Water <tj.van...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I have used a combination of the West Marine rigging shop and Cajun Ropes
> > (in Nova Scotia). Cajun Ropes have a dedicated spec sheet for our boat
> > which makes it very easy to order. Only issue with Cajun is the tariff
> you
> > have to pay when they ship your order!
> >
> > *Tim Van de Water*404.790.2208
> > tj.van...@gmail.com
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 12:39 PM Louis Friedman via C320-list <
> > c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> Just finished replacing a frayed spinnaker halyard and now I realize the
> >> rest of my rigging looks terrible in. comparison! Thinking I'll replace
> >> more of rigging - vang, traveler at least. Any tips? Catalina Direct
> >> seems the simplest way but I suppose I can also go on there to get
> >> measurements and then order line from West Marine.
> >>
> >> Lou F.
> >> MissAdventure #632
> >>
> >
>
Dan Petticord
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