Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Joe Nalley on July 13, 2009, 11:07:37 AM

Title: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: Joe Nalley on July 13, 2009, 11:07:37 AM
I have a leak in the aft water tank on Allegro #415, and I have not figured out how to access or view the tank or fittings.

Joe nalley
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: RV61 on July 13, 2009, 11:40:21 AM
Joe,
To gain access to this water tank is remove wood panel that is in the aft cabin. This is the panel that runs from port to starboard. The other panel is for your fuel tank access. You may have a couple hidden screws around the plastic square pedestal cover. While you are in there i would suggest inspecting your steering cables.   
Rick
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: Joe Nalley on July 13, 2009, 11:46:15 AM
Rick,

Thanks for the info. Also, new steering cables and a look at quadrant is a great idea.

Joe
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: waterdog on July 13, 2009, 01:33:26 PM
Joe, I'm not sure where your leak is, but access to the aft side of the tank is via the cockpit locker.   You need to pull out the propane, tank, shelf and all the gear in the locker and you can get right down inside with good access to tank, quadrant, and steering cables.
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: Joe Nalley on July 13, 2009, 04:01:42 PM
Steve,

Removing the propane tank and enclosure will be easy as I built the tank enclosure and installed it myself a couple of years ago. The PO ordered Allegro with an alcohol system and we wanted propane. I should have remembered the water tank from my many trips into the locker. My leak may have been caused by my own big feet.

Joe

Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: Ron Hill on July 13, 2009, 05:25:51 PM
Joe : I'd remove the aft water tank and inspect it.
First remove the port side panel in the aft cabin and then the aft panel.  They are connected so you MUST remove the port side first. 
Then remove the "dog house" white covering over the steering column. 
Make sure you note that there are some long and some short screws, so when you reassemble you don't put a long screw into a short screw hole and put a hole in your water tank!!!!
You'll need to disconnect the water fill and vent hoses thru the aft lazerette.
You should disconnect the aft tank water drain and probably cut a small notch in the aft bottom panel fiberglass so you can slide out the water tank and not have the 90 degree drain elbow catch on that fiberglass ridge.

I've written volumes on what you need to check on the steering, especially the idler pulley pins. Yours are bronze and they should be stainless.  A few thoughts


Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: lucky on November 10, 2010, 05:27:51 PM
I've got about a 25 gallon bladder that is under  my aft sleeping quarters.I have been told that Catalina did this because the bow was heavy.At any rate six or seven screws and it is out.Water fill is on starboard side,across from fuel fill.Hope this help
AL LANDRY
1986 c 34
hull#13
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: Mike and Joanne Stimmler on November 11, 2010, 01:37:17 PM
Al,
I don't think that bladder tanks were ever standard on Catalina's.
I'd be willing to bet that it was a modification done by a PO

Mike
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: Ron Hill on November 11, 2010, 04:56:47 PM
Lucky : The OEM factory installed water tanks for the 1st year of production (1986) were a starboard and a forward water tank. 
I believe that a PO put in an aft bladder as Catalina only installs preformed plastic tanks.
 
It all depends what your production year is - as to the location and size of your water tanks!!  A thought
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: lucky on November 12, 2010, 07:37:57 AM
This could very well be true that po installed blatter,but it works well.I do have the side tank and front tank.Thanks for the info you furnished.
Al Landry
C34
Hull 13
Lucky
Title: Re: 1987 C-34 MkI aft water tank access and location
Post by: Ron Hill on November 13, 2010, 06:09:54 PM
Al : There's nothing wrong with an aft tank in a 1986 boat. 
My only advice is if you ever have the port side panel then the aft panel off  -- is to look under your bladder tank and make sure there is cushioning under it so it's not sitting on a hull "rough spot" . 
A thought