Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

[Rick E]

I want to add Parrel beads to the gaff of my Beetle Cat. Anyone have size recomendations for the beads on a Beetle Cat? Also finish - oil or varnish? sources?

Thanks in advance for the help

Rick

[JimConlin]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

Ask the good people who make the boats. Beetle Boat Shop Phone: (508) 295-8585

[Rick E]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

Good advice Jim

If anyone is interested they recommend 5/8 dia and varnished

Thanks

Rick

[SBrookman]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

Rivus has almost the same size sail. I made crude ones out of 5/8" black locust. Without a lathe I just sanded the ends then soaked them in boat soup. They work.
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[Falcon1]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

I ordered some from Michael's (a craft store chain.) They look like maple, and I soaked them in Deks Ole. Been working for a few years now.

Mike

[Rick E]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

Steve and Mike
Thanks for the guidance, very helpful, There is a Michael's not far from me, will check them out

Thanks again for the assistance

Rick

[Thorne]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

I prefer oil for the beads, but only have small boat experience with them.

[mohsart]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

For my 19' double ender with a fore and aft gaff rig, I used beads from a slaughtered car seat.

Works fine oiled, I've varnished them now and will see this summer if that's an improvement.

/Mats

[rbgarr]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

I tried a set of parrel beads last year on our sliding gunter. Didn't care for it much (the jib leech would still snag on the jaws on occasion) so I bent a piece of copper tube to fasten on the jaws and will try that this year. But a Beetle has no jib, so....

[mohsart]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

My understanding is that the line between the jaws is for making sure the gaff stays in place and the parrel beads are so that the line won't cause problems when hoisting/taking down the sail.

/Mats

[johnrbayer]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

Why did Beetle not use them in the first place? Had to be good reason.

Thanks,
John B

[Canoeyawl]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

Why did Beetle not use them in the first place? Had to be good reason.

Thanks,
John B

Mast hoops...

[johnrbayer]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

Aren't parrels used on the gaff?

Tks,
John

[wizbang 13]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

big boat gear for small boats.... na ah.

[Marty J]

Re: Parrel Beads for a Beetle Cat

I'll confess I've never really understood the need for parrels. Is the idea that for a sufficiently large rig, the mast hoops or lacing aren't strong enough to hold the gaff against the mast?

The biggest gaff rigged boats I've spent meaningful amounts of time on were ~30 feet. What would go wrong if a boat of this size didn't have a parrel?