Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: melp64 on August 22, 2023, 03:31:15 PM

Title: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on August 22, 2023, 03:31:15 PM
I have had a few ask me to update the project. I had some of the best news so far, a buddy of mine who is a diesel mechanic stopped by the boat and check the motor and transmission. With a fully charged battery and 2 turns of the key the motor fired right up and purrs like a kitten. He did suggest replacing all the hoses as some of them are showing their age. He also said the hoses that go to the water heater have been put in a loop and is bypassing the heater (not sure why??)
After the media blasting I have sanded the hull and fixed the Catalina smile. I ordered barrier coat this week and I am hoping to paint the hull this weekend. I don't think its possible for me to do the barrier coat and the bottom paint in one weekend so I will have to sand the bottom again next weekend and then do the bottom paint.
The V berth has all the woodwork completed and the insides of the compartments are painted. I still want to paint under the bed but that seems like a good rainy day project.
Aft cabin has been cleaned and all the panels and running trim has been completed. Me and the wife have decided to put mattresses in the v berth and the aft cabin.
Working on the saloon at present I have the bulkheads varnished and running trim completed I took out the paneling above the sliding glass doors and not sure if I am going to replace them.
whats left besides a really long list Basic. Galley replace countertops and divider that was ruined by water same with the other side by the nav station. And of course the head, I only have the door varnished. And of course the fun stuff all the plumbing and electric.

I am thinking about trying epoxy countertops for the kitchen and the small counters in the v berth and aft cabin I have these all finished already but i think I can put it right over the formica.
And probably the most disgusting thing I have ever done was cleaning the bilge that had water in it for 4 years everything was slimy at least 1/4 thick. I plan on sanding the bilge and then paint, but every time I get ready to sand more water found its way back in I'm told it comes from the mast. For only working on the weekends I'm pretty happy with the progress.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: KWKloeber on August 22, 2023, 04:05:11 PM
Quote from: melp64 on August 22, 2023, 03:31:15 PM

hoses that go to the water heater have been put in a loop and is bypassing the heater (not sure why??)


Kudos!!  Pictures, pictures, pictures? :clap :thumb:

Typically when a WH is bypassed it's sprung a leak. :cry4`
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Ron Hill on August 22, 2023, 04:40:40 PM
Dan : Sliding Glass Doors???  Explain!!

A thought
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on August 22, 2023, 07:09:19 PM
The dark tinted Plexiglas's slide by doors in the saloon on both sides. Did you know it only takes 4 screws to take that whole section apart
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Noah on August 22, 2023, 07:15:31 PM
You can lever up the the top teak trim piece track (by pushing up on it) and remove the plexiglas sliders. No screw extraction needed.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Stu Jackson on August 22, 2023, 08:37:16 PM
Quote from: melp64 on August 22, 2023, 03:31:15 PM
I have had a few ask me to update the project.

...........................

Thanks for the update.  But for some of us, update for what?  One should either continue the original post or at least provide a link to the earlier thread.  It makes more sense for all of us and a better record for you, too.   :D
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Ron Hill on August 23, 2023, 03:09:01 PM
Dan : On those sliding plexi-glass doors - I put Ash batting strips on top of mine (Contact Cement) It really lightened up the salon!! Made every thing bigger!!

A thought
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: waughoo on August 23, 2023, 06:53:49 PM
The top track on my sliding doors has no bung plug and thus the screws are visible and easy to remove.  I am not sure if this is typical or if someone removed them previously, but you might want to check in the event you can't lift them out.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on August 24, 2023, 04:16:57 AM
Because the top shelf had water stains and the petition between the galley and saloon was damaged I unscrewed the 4 screws in the cleats below the shelf and completely removed it for sanding and varnish. There is a ledge that the back of the shelf sits on, nothing else holds it in except 4 screws. I will post some of the finished pictures after this weekend.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: ewengstrom on August 25, 2023, 06:54:37 AM
Dan,
We did very similar work to our boat in the year or so after we purchased her. I love seeing your progress and I can speak from personal experience that you're just going to love the finished product. Our boat looks practically brand new down below and is such an improvement over what we started with. (smells much better too)  :thumb:
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on September 04, 2023, 06:09:52 PM
here's a few more pictures from the long weekend. I ended up tearing out the head counter top. I cant believe how much water damage their is. I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to fix the bulkhead between the nav station and I haven't figured out the bulkhead on the back wall that goes to the aft cabin. does anyone know what the button on the main wall is in the head, there isn't any wires connected to the back of it.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on September 04, 2023, 06:20:22 PM
A few more pictures The companion way slates were as gray as the side trim boards, they only have 3 coats of varnish but I plan on at least 7-8 coats. The trim pieces I have to break out the belt sander as it took hours of sanding with 80 grit on the slates the belt sander should make a quicker job of the outside trim.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Jon W on September 04, 2023, 06:57:16 PM
Pretty sure the only OEM switch/button in the 1987 head is the switch below the head sink for the shower pump. What are you calling the main wall in the head?
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on September 05, 2023, 03:11:55 AM
The wall between the nav station. There is a switch with a plaque that say shower pump, this switch has a black rubber protective end on it
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Jon W on September 05, 2023, 04:41:23 PM
A photo of the button you're talking about would be helpful. Do you have a manual toilet?
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on September 05, 2023, 06:54:29 PM
Switch picture
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Steve McGill on September 05, 2023, 07:12:46 PM
Dan,

The pic you posted that shows the head sink shows the oem switch for the shower sump. The switch is to the right of the head sink access. It may also state that. That switch on  the head / nav wall was  all owner installed for what-ever. Good luck
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: waughoo on September 05, 2023, 08:13:46 PM
I 2nd what Steve says above.  That switch is not a "factory switch on the head/hanging locker bulkhead. 
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Jon W on September 06, 2023, 11:56:53 AM
As Alex and Steve said that was added by a PO for any number of reasons. Do you have an electric or a manual/pump head/toilet? I ask because it looks like there is a small hole in the bulkhead behind where the head/toilet mounts, but too pixelated to tell when I zoom in. If it is a hole, it could be where the wires from the switch exited to connect to the head/toilet.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on September 10, 2023, 03:47:01 PM
Quote from: Jon W on September 06, 2023, 11:56:53 AM
As Alex and Steve said that was added by a PO for any number of reasons. Do you have an electric or a manual/pump head/toilet? I ask because it looks like there is a small hole in the bulkhead behind where the head/toilet mounts, but too pixelated to tell when I zoom in. If it is a hole, it could be where the wires from the switch exited to connect to the head/toilet.

the toilet has a electric motor but the spot I think you are seeing is a piece of velcro I think was attached to the lid. not sure though
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on October 02, 2023, 05:44:30 PM
Well I think I solved the question of the button, I believe it was a button to flush the toilet. I found some wires I think went to the button and then to the toilet. This weekend I really had to get deep into the bulkhead in the bathroom, I had to cut out the bad part of the bulk head I then made a new piece to fit back in. Next weekend I will coat the backside of the board with epoxy install it and then use fiberglass mesh to bond the old with the new piece. If I have time this season I plan on using FRP board on all the ares that are white formica in the bathroom. I ended up pitching the toilet looking at new ones on defender. I maybe regretting that decision. How can such a small toilet cost 1000.00
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: waughoo on October 02, 2023, 09:44:01 PM
I bought a raritan superflush household bowl for my boat.  Darn happy with it.  Worth looking into buying it from this place (linked below) as they have a rather awesome price.  I live locally tk them so I avoided shipping.

https://marinesan.com/raritan-superflush-p101-small-bowl-toilet/
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: melp64 on October 03, 2023, 03:35:05 PM
wow thats a huge difference compared to 950.00
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Jon W on October 03, 2023, 04:02:09 PM
I have the raritan superflush household bowl and am very happy with it as well. Much of the lower price is because it's a manual toilet, not an electric toilet.
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: waughoo on October 03, 2023, 11:33:22 PM
That shop has a pretty hot deal on that toilet. 
Title: Re: Just an update
Post by: Jon W on October 04, 2023, 07:39:01 AM
It's a great deal.