[C320-list] running rigging

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

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

[Justin Cherry via C320-list]

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

[Tim Van de Water via C320-list]

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

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

Thanks all. will go shopping!!

Lou

On Sun, Apr 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM Tim Van de Water <tj.van...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Dan Petticord via C320-list]

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 <

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
> >>
> >
>

--
Dan Petticord

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

Just curious - do you guys buy from not buy line from Catalina Direct b/c
of price or quality of the line?

--
Louis Friedman, DO, FACP
Woodbridge Medical Associates
www.woodbridgemed.com
732-634-0036

[Dan Petticord via C320-list]

Both Defender and West run frequent sales on line which makes it Quite a
bit cheaper. For example, I just bought 10mm Samson XLE for .86 a foot.
Catalina Direct sells the equivalent (which I believe is 3/8in NE sta set)
at 1.08 a foot

Dan Petticord

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

appreciate the info.
anything special to do when changing out the reefing lines or is it just
like changing a halyard - just sew the lines end to end and tape?

[Dan Petticord via C320-list]

I don't see why not. I took the end caps off of my boom because I had to
replace the sheeves. But feeding the line is pretty much the same process
as running a new halyard, and could be done without taking off the end
caps. Although if you are going to replace your outhaul line you will need
to remove at least one end cap, since that line terminates at a block
inside the boom.

--
Dan Petticord

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Run new reef lines the same as installing a new halyard. Note .... there are 2 separate reef lines involved at the front and rear of the boom for each reef level. 
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 9:43 AM, Louis Friedman via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: appreciate the info.

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

Catalina direct lists a 60' line for single line reefing. so the line
needs to be cut so one is at front and one at rear?

[Dan Petticord via C320-list]

Yes, there are two different reef lines for the single continuous reef set
up. Both lines connect to a block that travels inside the boom.

There is no way 60ft is long enough for both lines needed. The lengths
listed in the chart reproduced lower down this thread come from a Catalina
drawing that you can download from this site (Catalina Factory Drawings I
believe). That same packet includes a drawing of the internal rigging of
the boom which was, imho not great but you might find helpful.

On Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 12:53 PM Louis Friedman via C320-list <

--
Dan Petticord

[John Bennett via C320-list]

Yes. I recommend running the aft one with the whole line intact. Pull the
block all the way to the front of the boom, so the aft line is at its max
length. Then cut and run the rest as the forward line.

-John Bennett
Brandywine #486

On Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 12:49 PM Louis Friedman via C320-list <

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

I suggest just the opposite. First make sure the ends of the front line are secured and can't  be pulled into the boom (don't ask how I know). Pull the rear line to pull the inside car to the rear of the boom.  You can then actually pull the car slightly out of the rear slot but be careful to maintain the orientation. Change the line section that is at the rear the same length as the original .... you can thread it thru carefully without even attaching the new to the old line there because you see the whole rear line piece . Make sure to not lose the ends of the line. 
After you have that done, make sure the loose ends of the rear line are tied off, then pull the front line and pull the car back inside the boom and replace the front section by connecting the new to the old and pulling it thru. 

Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 8:15 PM, John Bennett via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Yes. I recommend running the aft one with the whole line intact. Pull the