Topics

We're meeting friends in Marsh Harbor Abacos and will only be there for a week.  I have prepaid Verizon service and only anticipate needing some cellular data to check email when away from wifi.  Any suggestions for an inexpensive provider?

Does anyone know the model number of the K&N air filter that is used on M35B engines?  Thanks.

I have a friend with a C350 and the M35B engine.  He's looking to replace the exhaust manifold but was rightfully taken back by the prices for a factory replacement.  I suggested looking at Kubota as another possibility. 
His research showed "the M35B engine block is a Kubota model V1305-E which they use in their "bobcats". The only exhaust manifold I can find from them is what I would call a "straight pipe" manifold that you would typically see on a car engine."
Is that correct or is he looking in the wrong place?
Thanks.

I've noticed recently that my temp/oil pressure alarm buzzer has developed an intermittent "chirp" when motoring at higher RPM's (2500-2700}.  It is an off/on phenomenon and goes away if I lower the speed to the 2300RPM range or less.  My oil and coolant levels are ok as is the connection on the oil pressure sender.   I haven't pulled the instrument cluster yet to look for a loose connection but wondered if anyone else has experienced this and what they found.  There are several other reports of this on the C350 message but no fixes are posted.

We are meeting some friends later this month on their C42 in Oriental NC and planning on spending a week doing the Albemarle Loop. For those not familiar, there are (currently) 9 marinas in small towns in North Carolina that offer free dockage for 48 hrs. along this area of Albemarle Sound.
For those who have done this trip, I'm looking for advice or suggestions especially as it relates to "must see" stops or place that were disappointing. Any other feedback is most appreciated.

I'm looking for the circuit board (Part number F1886 PCB Stuffed).  If you've got one laying around, please let me know.

I have a 2008 Zodiac by West Marine inflatable (RIB 310) that is in excellent condition and a 2004 9.9 hp 2 stroke Mercury outboard that a friend is interested in buying.   We are both having a difficult time finding comparables to help establish a value.  Does anyone have any resources that might be helpful?
Thanks.

Ron Hill has mentioned using the Hinckley TV antenna for both TV and radio reception.  Does anyone know what type of plug or adapter that would be used to adapt the F type coax connector to a typical RCA plug used on radios?

While my boat is out of the water, I decided to change the bellows on the dripless shaft seal.  What a mistake !  I've spend the better part of 3 days trying to get the transmission coupling free from the shaft.  The shaft and coupling have no rust.  I applied PB Blaster to the coupling and into the 2 set screw holes several times.  Many taps with a regular and deadblow hammer did nothing.  I also heated the coupling with a heat gun and then a MAPP gas torch.  No Joy.  I then tried to "jack" it out using the arrangement similar to the one pictured below.   I was unable to use a 1" socket between the shaft and transmission as the key in the shaft was 1/4" proud of the shaft end.
It has been suggested that I will probably have to cut the shaft in order to get the coupling off.  I really don't want to do that but feel I'm out of options.  Any suggestions would be most welcome.

It has been suggested to me that I can prep my boat for bottom painting with a Scotch Brite pad.  I have a Dewalt polisher and wondered if there is a Scotch Brite type of product that could be used with it.  The polishing pad I have is 8" and the thought of "sanding" the bottom with an 8" abrasive vs. a 5 inch sander is very appealing.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

I've searched the forum and couldn't find this topic.  Does anyone have a reference showing the effectiveness (or lack thereof) for  "fish" type zincs that you hang overboard from a wire connected to your bonding system ?
Thanks.

Last year I installed a 12VDC power supply to run my refrigeration when at the dock. 

When I arrived at the boat today I noticed that the refrigeration wasn't running.  After a bit of troubleshooting, I determined the the Adler Barbour unit had a blown fuse.  I replaced it and everything ran fine.  I then noticed that the red LED on the A/B controller was flashing indicating that the voltage was below 10.5 volts.  A quick check showed 13.4 volts to the A/B unit.   My compressor unit is in a location that is difficult to access so I don't know if this LED has been flashing since I installed the power supply or is something new.
Has anyone encountered the flashing LED that is using the power supply? 

Does anyone happen to know the distance between the centers of the tubing of the pedistal guard on a 1991 vintage C34? 

["No real issue here. Add 10W/30 or a W30. They will mix."]

I changed the oil on my engine a couple of months ago and didn't have enough for a  complete fill.  Sometimes I will use 30 weight and other times 10W30 depending on what a given store has available.  Several days ago I went to buy another quart to complete the fill and realized I couldn't remember if I used 30 weight or 10W30. 
I always thought it was bad to mix different weights of motor oil so I emailed Universal to explain my problem.  Their response was "No real issue here.  Add 10W/30 or a W30. They will mix."

What are your thoughts?

The Catalina supplied fiberglass cockpit table has an arm to support each table leaf.  Has anyone replaced the cord that runs inside the support?  How did you do it?

I fired up our oven and everything lit just fine.  Set the thermostat to 375 and put the scones in to cook.  They were supposed to be done in 12 minutes.  I checked at 10 minutes and there was a blob of dough sweating to death.  The pilot was lit but there was a much smaller flame coming out of the burner.  Changing the thermostat setting didn't seem to change the amount of flame on the burner.
I called Seaward yesterday and no one had a good guess as to the problem.  They person who would be most likely to troubleshoot this was out sick.
Has anyone experienced this problem before?

I'm evaluating a couple of TV antenna amplifiers.  The signal range on one is from 50 - 2200 MHz, the other is 5 - 900.  Practically speaking, is one of these better than the other?
Thanks.

I went up to check on my boat today and discovered that something (probably a mouse based on the droppings I found) had chewed a hole in the corner of one of the cushions in the main salon.  The boat is an 1988 model and the fabric has faded slightly over the years.
Short of recovering or replacing all the cushions, does anyone have a solution for me?

PS - The boat is for sale so I'd rather not put a huge amount of money into this but obviously it will have to be fixed.

I tend to use my engine very little and as a result the fuel in my tank lasts a long time.  When I look at fuel additives, it seems they are either biocides or cleaners.  Under my circumstances, I assume a biocide is more important.
Is there a product that has both?  What brand is best?

Thanks.
Ken Krawford

The solenoid that I installed a while ago is fried and I can't remember where the wires from the solenoid go on the terminal block.
Can anyone help?
Thanks.

I'm getting ready to install a 1500 watt inverter.  I've seen some people use a 20 amp double pole double throw switch and other advise the Blue Seas (model 8132 ) transfer switch.  The DPDT switch is $11 and the Blue Seas is $109.  It seems that at least in theory they both accomplish the same thing.  
Is there a good reason to go with the more expensive switch?

Can  anyone  tell me what type of coax is needed for a VHF antenna?
Thanks.

Ken Krawford

I have a 1988 C34 for sale.  The boat is significantly above average in condition with an average equipment list.  I don't believe that the boat has any major weaknesses compared to other '88 models.  BUC lists a value of $35,500 and NADA $41.500.  In searching Boats.com, the average listing price of 1988 C34's (11 boats) was $53,890.  I realize that few people receive their asking price but also double that there is that much of a spread between "book" value and asking price.  
How does a buyer justify book value as a valid offer and how does a seller justify values roughly 40% above book value?

I'm going to be helping a friend install air conditioning on his C34.  We're installing a Mermaid 16,000 BTU reverse cycle unit.  I'm looking for advice is two areas - recommendations on brand and model for the water pump.  Also, is the basic install kit that Mermaid offers worth it or is it cheaper to buy the parts separately.
Thanks.

Can anyone recommend a brand and source for cockpit speakers?  I'm specifically interested in ones with their own enclosure that can be hung from the stern rail.
Thanks.

I'm trying to find out where to buy a Hinkley TV antenna and all my searches are dead ends.
Can anyone help?
Thanks.

My 1988 C34 Hull # 645 stays in the water year round in Atlanta.  I went to take the boat out several days ago and noticed that the wheel was very stiff when I tried to turn it.  The resistance is uniform from one stop to the other.  I lubed the chain inside the pedistal with no results.  Verified that the wheel brake was off.  No problems noted after inspection of the quadrant and cables.  I looked and poked around the rudder but didn't see or feel anything wrapped/trapped.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Ken Krawford

I know this subject has been covered before but I can't find it anywhere.
My transmission takes 5-10 seconds to engage when shifting from neutral to forward.  I thought I read where the plates in the transmission can become glazed and cause this.  
Can someone point me to the reference on how to fix this?
Thanks.

I pulled into a gas station today that sells off road diesel fuel.  I know nothing about it other than it is about 40 cents per gallon cheaper than the taxed stuff.
Is this legal to use in a boat?
I assume that, other than the color, it performs the same.  Is that correct?

My faucet in the head starting dripping recently.  I managed to get the handles and the collar off but could not get the stem to budge.  Does anyone know if this is a clockwise or counterclockwise thread?  I assume that the washers are proprietary to Grohe and would have to be ordered from them.  If anyone knows differently, please let me know.
Thanks.

I've just torn out the galley countertop and am going to attempt to replace it with some Corian that I salvaged.  I'll keep you posted.
I'm considering replacing the double sink with a single.
Has anyone done this?  The 17 x 25" cutout is a somewhat non-standard size.  Has anyone found a source for a single sink this size with a price that is not over the top?
Thanks.

My charger has finally bit the dust.  I need a charger for 3 banks of golf cart batteries.  We use the boat solely for weekends - no extended cruising.
All recommendations are appreciated.

I have a friend with a new C34 and wants to put a hinge on the ice box lid.  Has anyone done this?  The solid surface lid seems to present several problems.
What type of screws did you use?  How about a support arm to hold it open?

Thanks in advance.

My 1988 vintage C34 is starting to smell a bit gamey.  Has anyone replaced the hoses to the holding tank?  Is it a big project?  It seems that they have very little give/bend and I'm not sure how difficult it would be routing it from the head to the tank.

Thanks in advance.

Ken Krawford

I recently installed a repair kit for my Par toilet.  Now is screeches and is very hard to pump.  I've tried the usual remedies - vegetable oil, dish soap, grease on the pump shaft but they only help for a short time.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.

I need to replace my bimini and the local canvas shop will not do one that is made of vinyl covered fabric like my old one.  For many reasons, I'd like to stay with this type of fabric.
Has anyone bought a "mail order" bimini?  Were you happy with the fit?  Did you send the old one to use as a pattern?  Any other tips?
Thanks for any feedback.

I have a leak that is driving me crazy.  A coffee colored liquid is entering the cabin through 2 screws that hold the teak trim on either side of the companion way sliding cover.  It is also coming in around the hatch in the head.
Neededless to say, I've re-bedded and sealed everything I can.  I just spent 3 hours yesterday washing the boat and no leaks.  It seems to only do it after rain.  It is only on the port side and between the head and the dorade vent.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

My 1988 C34 Hull # 645 stays in the water year round in Atlanta.  I went to take the boat out several days ago and noticed that the wheel was very still when I tried to turn it.  The resistance is uniform from one stop the the other.  I lubed the chain inside the pedistal with no results.  Verified that the wheel brake was off.  No problems noted after inspection of the quadrant and cables.  I looked and poked around the rudder but didn't see or feel anything wrapped/trapped.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Ken Krawford

I remember reading in Mainsheet about a charter service from Catalina to Catalina owners offering C34 and 36's for charter out of California (Newport maybe?)
Does anyone have any info??
Thanks.