Messages

I'm at the part of the project where I need the most help...a la the most ignorant ...either way, here are some questions:

1. Running the power. I have all wires consolidated just below the cockpit, near that little box attached to the aft cabin bulkhead. There is the power cable for the plotter, the sounder, the wind speed/sensor, the compass light, and the network backbone (yes, it needs it's own power too). What's the best way to combine all these power cables, and make one run to either the battery post, or to the switchboard? Is one better than the other?

2. What should I do about ground? Would it be best to run it straight to the negative post of the one of the batteries...or does the hull make a good ground?

3. Last, and probably the most dumb question of all. How do I tell which battery(s) is for starting the engine, and which 2 are considered "house" batteries? I know there are 3 in total...and I can see that there are 2 connected together with a lot of stuff attached to the positive post....but I can't tell which batteries coincide with the selector switch (1, 2, or ALL).

Side note: Since I have the aft bulkhead removed, I have clear access and visibility to the steering cables, water tank, etc. Is there anything I should be doing for routine maintenance back there, like greasing the steering cables?

Thanks all,
Josh

Thanks Steve, that's a great idea and I had completely forgot about those triducers. I'm glad the "shoot thru" was relatively cheap, since it probably will be temporary. I tried the "under mount", and the reception was good...however, when I put it topside on the stern rail, the GPS error went from 15ft to 9ft. Not a big deal, but I suppose the closer to zero the better, right? Is the AIS Receiver another antenna?

Scotty, do you have pics of your setup?

Thanks for all the input...as always. I love this place!

Here are some updates on the project...

I've decided to stick with the Touch Screen, and I'm going back up to the 12" 5212. Since I bought a double bend Angle guard (went with the 1.25" diameter tubing instead of the 1" for easier cable access), the unit will actually sit on a 45 degree angle at a height of about 42", which shouldn't hinder my view from the helm any more than the dodger already does. I can get around the menu's 10x faster with the touchscreen, and it does have a screen protector. The cold weather concerns are limited here in San Diego too. Since I plan on splitting screens between radar, sounder, charts, etc...I think the bigger screen will prove to be the right decision (hopefully!).

Yesterday I spent 14 hours on the boat, working on running cables, splicing, etc., and I got a lot done. I ended up using the same GPS Antenna mounting location as the old one, which was on the stern rail.

Instead of messing with a haul out or major dive job to update the thru hull transducer, the guy at West Marine talked me into a "shoot thru" type...now I just need to go through the installation process. Doesn't seem too bad, once I find the "sweet spot". The old "thru hull" will just sit in it's hole...but not be connected.

The Tack Tick instruments are very nice, and I may consider them when the time comes. The idea of not having to run cables from the top of the mast to the helm is very appealing, provided the data is reliable and constant. Right now, I do have an old Signet wind sensor and display that works, but is very bulky. In the spirit of cleaning up the helm area, and making things more tidy...this old Signet may have to go...but I'm still looking at some other options.

As for single-handing my boat...I've never done it. With 4 boys, someone always wants to hang out with dad...at least for now anyway

My auto pilot is also mounted to the starboard coaming, and I don't plan on moving it. I had to buy a NMEA 0183 cable to make it talk to the new Garmin 5212, but that was it! I wasn't expecting that one to be so easy.

As for the radar, I haven't gotten anywhere with it. I need a lot of network cable (40'-60'), and nobody had any on Saturday. I think I will need to hit up an electronics place during the week for this.

I will post pictures as soon as I have something worth looking at 

Thanks again everyone...Josh

Hi All,

As winter approaches, I've decided to undertake a major electronics upgrade on my 88' C34 we purchased this summer. We are loving the boat, but thought we would bring the electronics into this decade. Over the past few months, I've been slowly acquiring the goods...and here's what I have so far:

1. Chartplotter - I have several (used, of course), as I was unsure of which one would be best. They are all Garmin, and I have the 5212, 5208, and 4208 to choose from. (I'm leaning towards the 5208, since it's smaller footprint, and touch screen feature.)

2. Radar - GMR 18 HD Garmin 18" Radar

3. GSD 22 Digital Sounder - Not sure if I need this, but it came with the bundle....and I don't fish. Does anybody else have this?

I will not bombard the group with a ton of questions right now, but I'm going to try the installation myself, with some help from my rigger. He's not an electronics guy, per say, but together...and with some help from the forum, I'm hoping to be able to accomplish this project.

My immediate question has to do with the transducer. The current one on the boat is a Uniden QT-206, and I don't know if it will tie into the Garmin Network via the NMEA 2K or NMEA 0183 connections on the back of the chartplotter. So far, I've gotten both yes, and no. Does anyone know about this?

I also plan on replacing the angle guard with a Navpod 9.5" Double Bend version to house the chartplotter, as well as 3 x more instruments which have yet to be identified.

I'm anxious about this project, and I look forward to the dialogue with the group. As soon as I can figure out how to post pics on this forum, I will do so (help?).

Thanks in advance,
Josh

Dan,

What are the symptoms? I'm having some trouble too...I usually have to push the button 4 or 5 times before it will engage. I'm hoping it's just the switch, but I'll be doing some troubleshooting this weekend to find out.

Josh

That's great news Kevin! Have you found one that you are looking closely at?

Curt is now the interim manager...and they have a new guy named Don as the Dockmaster....both good guys.

I must say, I almost bought a Cat 400, and I'm really glad I decided to go with the C34, and keep the extra $80K in my wallet! I couldn't be happier with the boat, and she's plenty big enough for me and the family.

Good luck in your search, and keep us posted on the progress!

Take care,
Josh

Thanks guys, I will give those things a try this weekend. BTW, when I pulled off the rubber boot, and buried my thumb into the button, as far as it would go...it started every time, first try. For some reason, the rubber boot won't let me go "deep" enough into the switch. I sure hope that's all it is...I've got too much money to spend on fancy electronics to be buying new starters...

Hi all,

As I hang out on the hook in Glorietta Bay, enjoying what's left of Labor Day Weekend, I figured I would try and solve a few problems with my new boat.

1). Whenever I go to start the engine, after heating the glow plugs of course, I would say I have a 50/50 chance that the momentary starter switch will work. With about 4-6 tries, it will usually engage the solenoid, and everything is fine. When it fails, I just get a click sound. Does this sound like just a bad momentary switch?

Thanks in advance,
Josh 

Thanks Stu..I guess it compresses...just not very easily.

Josh

Ha! I just learned something too...I thought my hull was painted...but nope...I have the Camel Hull and the 2-tone Camel/White deck, with the Marine Green Cove Stripe, according to the spec sheet.

Good stuff!

Alright, I realize that this may be the first of many "dumb" ones.....but???

How do you lower the Dinette? I've tried unscrewing the black knob attached to the vertical post...and took it completely out. Nothing happened...

I tried lifting it up, pushing it down...no joy.

Thanks up front!

Josh

Sorry...here's a direct link. (That weird, it shows up fine on my puter)

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu203/blastersden/Boatsternseat-Stevehockey2009002.jpg

I found this picture on the forum, and I really like this setup. Can someone tell me what the angle of the SS mount is? I can't tell if it's 30, 45, or 60 degrees in the picture.

Thanks,
Josh

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, I really appreciate it. Sailing is a relatively new found passion...only been doing it for just over a year now. As you guys have pointed out, my day job can get a bit "hairy"...so I find sailing to be the perfect antidote.

To my Army brothers...thanks for the words. I've done 2 tours to Iraq with the Big Green Machine, and I've made a lot of buddies working in the joint environment. One team, one fight!

I look forward to getting to know you guys in the weeks and months to come...

Sincerely,
Josh

Hi Folks, just wanted to introduce myself as the new owner of a 1988 C34, #517...La Vita Pacifica (formerly Luffing Off). She's off to get bottom paint on Monday, along with a few other minor fixes, and then she'll be heading to her new home...Fiddlers Cove, near Coronado, CA.

I'm a Navy guy, active duty MCPO...and from Poway, CA. I currently have 1 X wife, 4 X sons, and a little dog named "Lani". By day, I am an EOD Technician....the rest of the time, I hope to be sailing!

I will try very hard not to ask stupid questions, or questions that have been asked by every "new guy" to ever post on this forum...but if I do, please accept my apologies up front.

I look forward to getting to know the group....

Kind Regards,
Josh & Pam Dowden
#517