Messages

"Trinity" is an exceptionally well maintained example of a great boat!  For details and pictures, click on the following link:  http://pensacola.craigslist.org/boa/5280174310.html. You can also contact me directly:  Rusty Bond. r_bond@bellsouth.net. 850-281-9304

John, I'm having the same problem - i.e. a grinding noise in the stern when the boat is in large swells.  My boat is also a 1993, hull # 1261.  Suspecting a problem with rudder or rudder tube but have had no luck determining where noise is coming from.  I have a very small amount of play in rudder, probably less than 1/8 inch.  Have checked all the steering components - installed new chain last year, idlers in good shape, wire adjustment is good.  Spoke with Gerry a few weeks ago but he didn't have much to offer - his suggestion was to go down into the aft section with a stethoscope to see if I could identify where the noise coming from.  Waiting for a breezy day with right conditions were to try this.  Let's keep each other posted on progress in resolving this issue.  If you'd like to conduct me, my email is r_bond@bellsouth.net.

When we take Trinity (1993 walk-thru transom) out in seas more than 2ft. we hear a grinding (for lack of more accurate description) noise directly under floor in the cockpit.  Sounds/feels like it occurs between the pedestal and rudder access port.  It is most noticeable when the boat comes "up" from a wave trough.  I've checked rudder post - below decks as well as at top of rudder post via access port and everything looks fine - i.e. no unusual movement or play.  No water ingress around rudder post.  It's got me stumped.  Ideas/suggestions on what else I could check greatly appreciated. 

Hi Mike - You're going to love Pensacola.  Be sure to check out our Gulf Coast Catalina Cruiser group...wonderful group of Catalina owners in the area.  We get together several times a year for raft-ups, etc. 

As for marinas, there's really only one on the beach, Sabina Marina (http://www.sabinemarina.com/).  It's a nice marina but the traffic getting on/off the beach can be horrendous during the summer and especially holiday weekends.   There is Marina Management which manages several marinas in town that are very nice (http://www.marinamgmt.com/).  There are several marinas up Bayou Chico managed by this group(http://www.pensacolamarinas.com/) and also Pensacola Shipyard.   I'd heartily recommend the Pensacola Yacht Club (I'm a member) - wonderful facilities, great Junior Sailing program, etc. (http://pensacolayachtclub.org/Home.aspx)

Here's my email address...contact me whenever I can be of help:  r_bond@bellsouth.net.
Rusty

Hi Lance - we have strainers on engine raw water and air conditioning intake.  Both are internal.

Rusty
"Trinity", 1993

Great story...very similar to my own:  55 years old, picture of health, no signs of trouble.  Routine physical suggested may be some concern.  Turned out Widow Maker looming!  Ended up with a single bypass.  Go get yourself checked, guys!  If initial tests (EKG, Sonogram, Nuclear Stress test) are inconclusive don't hesitate to do the Angiogram.  Simple, quick procedure that is about as complicated or uncomfortable as having a tooth filled.  WAY BETTER than the alternative!!

Thanks Mainesail.  I'll definitely check into those Group 24 boxes.  Sound like that might be just the ticket.  Rusty

Thanks, Ron.  Definitely want some heavy "booties" since likely will have the tops of the batteries exposed.  Any suggestion on what type of paint to use on the new "base"?  What's resistant to acid?

John...yeah, thanks!  I would like to come over and take a look at what you did on SeaShell.  I'll give you a call.

Rusty

Hi Lance,

I see you've "met" John...great...now you've got a couple of contacts.  Yeah...we love Bluewater Bay...it's a beautiful location!  I'm surprised they didn't want a liveaboard.  Darn!  You might want to also check the next bayou over from BWB...Boggy Bayou.  We were sailing up in there earlier in the summer and saw several marinas.  There's a really big one up at the very north end - seems like it was Lighthouse Marina or something like that.  I have a buddy that lived aboard his boat in Shalimar.  Let me know if you'd like me to check with him on his feedback/impressions.

Rusty

P.S. John's right about our short bridges...they are a pain.  You can get under the Brooks Bridge in Ft. Walton at dead low tide - one of our other GCCC group - Bob Fleege - does it all the time and he has a 1992 C34 w/ a regular height mast.  We have REALLY enjoyed having a little bit shorter stick on Trinity, as we now can make it under any of the local bridges...even Destin.

Lance, looks like you're getting some great ideas on moving to the coast, so let me just extend an invitation to join up with the Gulf Coast Catalina Cruising group when you get down here.  Here's a link to our website:  http://gulfcoastcatalinacruisers.com/  We have a great time and try to get together several times a year for cruises and raft-ups.  Also, here's my email:  r_bond@bellsouth.net  Please give me a shout when y'all get down.  Any idea yet on where will you be keeping your boat?

Thanks, Stu!  I did see this posting while I was doing my research.  And I agree with you - I've seldom/never seen or heard of a spill so I may be worrying about nothing, but I'm concerned about even just small amounts seeping from the batteries during charging.  I did just install a new Sterling charger (thanks to MaineSails great review) so maybe I won't experience even that in the future.  I'm considering "plugging" up the existing hole and re-routing the cables in via the top of the compartment, but was hoping to avoid the extra work.

Trinity is a '93 model, with two, Group 27 batteries in the battery compartment immediately in front of the galley.  The cables come up from the bilge area, just in front of the water heater and enter the box via a hole at the lower aft inboard corner of the box.  I'd like to switch over to four Trojan 105s but I'm concerned about keeping acid spills confined to the battery compartment.  The articles/photos I've seen seem to show the batteries just sitting in the compartment which would allow acid leaks to drain into the bilge, given where my cabling enters the compartment.  How have some of you who are using Trojans addressed this concern?

Here are pictures.  I've already "cozied" up to a couple of pilings (my wife says I like playing "bumper boats"  ) and so far no dings!  Time will tell.  But this stuff seems pretty darn substantial.

Ken,

We gave Trinity a "face-lift" this past fall.  One of best things we did was to install a new rub rail.  Product is from Barbour Plastics.  Here's a link:  http://www.barbourcorp.com/marine-prod-rubrails.htm
We installed the rigid w/ stainless steel insert type.  It is absolutely beautiful and (according to the guy that did our work...has installed a number of them) extremely durable. 

Rusty

I rec'd a nice letter back from my congressman, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.  In his response - which by the way he committed that he is well aware of and watching this issue very closely - he provided some additional "links" for those interested in providing additional feedback.  Here are the links:

If you would like to comment on the Lightsquared Technical Working Group Report (IB Docket 11-109), go to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=pyaws

     For additional instructions on how to file comments, please go to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/howtocomment.html.