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Topics - Ralph Masters

#1
Main Message Board / Replacing bulls eye on traveler
March 27, 2016, 11:03:46 AM
Last week I replaced the double bulls eye on the port side of the traveler to a triple.
One word of advice to anyone thinking of doing this, DON'T. It'd be easier to buy a new boat with triples already installed then replace that thing.   :rolling :rolling :rolling

Ralph
#2
Main Message Board / Oberdorfer pump
May 20, 2015, 06:35:36 AM
Quick question for Stu or Ron, When looking at the front of the raw water pump on a 25xp engine which way does the impeller rotate. Clock wise or counter clock wise??

Ralph
#3
I am almost completed with my electrical system upgrade and installation of a starting battery.  The only question I have is should the exhaust vent fan aft be rewired to come off the house system so as to prevent running the new start battery down while motoring??  Or is this a none issue and after I start the engine I can turn off the vent fan.  (This is all because we are looking at installing a refer unit to make the ice box a fridge)  Is the Sea Frost units worth the money??

Ralph
Ciao Bella
1987
#4
Main Message Board / Interesting - Water Heater Parts
December 01, 2013, 01:25:08 PM
The day I found the source of the water leak in my boat, the current issue of the Catalina magazine shows up with an article with the part numbers for that fix.
On a different note, spent last week, Thanksgiving week, in San Francisco and we had some of the best weather I have ever seen up there.  Thanks for arranging that Stu.

Ralph

[added to title - Stu]
#5
Main Message Board / Installing Anchor Windlas
August 08, 2013, 08:04:08 AM
Getting ready to install an anchor windlas on the boat, an 87 MkI.  The question I have  is how much space, if any, is there between the aft bulkhead of the anchor locker and the wood panel in the V berth?  I have not removed that wood panel yet but I think there is another fiber glass panel under that. The cabin liner maybe.  I have looked the photos posted of how others have done it and they all look VERY nice with the stailless backing plate  against the wood panel.  I am going to do the same, and have made up the same type of backing plate, but if there is space to put it hidden then that is the route I'd like to take (higher authority directive).  BTW I am installing a Lewmar V-700.

Thank you,

Ralph
#6
Main Message Board / Steaming Light Replacement
June 10, 2013, 10:33:08 AM
This past weekend I completed the replacement of the "steaming" light on the front of the mast.  It seems the genie hits the light on tack changes and the old fitting gave up on me. 
I replaced it with a new fitting made by Hellamarine and I fitted it with an LED bulb.  Not because the LED only uses .3 watts, but because of the increased life of the LED.  (The steaming light is only on when motoring so it doesn't matter about the wattage draw).  I also installed a light guard from Forespar to protect the new light.
I used a block and tackle to get up the mast.  I made the rig from a set of fiddle blocks and 250 feet of ½ inch double braid.  I used ½ inch for the grip ability.  I attach my boatswain chair via a 5 inch locking carabineer.  To the long side of that I fitted a 6 inch cleat to tie off with once in position.  The 4 to 1 advantage of the rig means with me and my tools I'm pulling about 44 pounds force to get up.  Since I was working on the front of the mast I dropped the head sail and used the halyard for that to pull up the front of the mast.  I attached the fiddle with becket to the halyard and pulled it to the top, the fiddle without becket is attached to the boatswain chair.  The 250 feet of line gave me far more reach then I needed for our boats.
Just a few lessons learned to share, if you ever go up your mast check and recheck to ensure you have everything you think you will need while up there.
If drilling out stainless steel pop rivets wear jeans so the shavings from the drill don't burn your legs when they drop on you.
If you are removing a light fitting and installing a new one, check and recheck what wire goes where before you toss the old fitting down on the head sail laying on deck.  This will save you a trip down and back up to find out that bit of information.  I have three wires coming out of the mast, a red one, a black one and a light blue one.  The red is the steaming light, the light blue is the deck light, the black is the battery negative.
If anybody in the San Diego area needs to do some work on their mast feel free to contact me if you would like to borrow my rig.  scubaralph@gmail.com
One last note, this is not a task for the faint of heart.
Ralph
Ciao Bella
1987, 367
#7
Main Message Board / GPM for fresh water pump
March 18, 2013, 06:44:19 PM
We have a 1987 MKI, does anybody know the GPM rating on the fresh water pump??  I'm guessing its 1.1 GPH, we don't have a shower so it's just the two sinks.

Thanks, and fair winds,

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#8
Main Message Board / Interesting Malfunction
March 04, 2013, 07:46:39 AM
While motoring out Saturday morning with the admiral at the helm and I was stowing fenders and mooring lines we had a loss of power on the engine. 
The first thing I looked at was the temp since I had recentley removed and replace the heat exchanger, but it was normal right on the 160 mark.
So since we were west of the channel we just shut off the engine, and dropped the hook.
I pulled the top steps off and the cover to the engine and looked, no leaks, no water, everything cool indicating no over heating.
I had the admiral move the throatle forward and aft and that linkage seemed to be operation just fine. 
Then I noticed it, the air intake cover with the long, about 2 - 3 inch tube for intake, had vibrated around and was against the stabroard bulkhead and had sucked up flat against the insulation in the engine compartment choking off the air into the engine.
After turning it around and tighting it down, restarted the engine and no problems, everything back to normal.
Pulled the hook out of the mud and we were on our way, of course the wind was not coorperating so we spent time that afternoon, along with others on the bay just sitting, but it was better then being in the office.

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#9
Did the rebedding of the vented stanchion on port side this week end.  A very straight up, fairly easy task.  The hardest part was getting to the nuts on the inboard screws, can't see them and the wires runnig through made it even more fun.
Rebedded with butal tape, what a great product to work with.  I know that it will not leak now.  The outboard edge of the plate has a very pronounced wave in it and the tape was so easy to build up a few layers to ensure sealing along that edge.
I bought a 50 foot roll of the one inch by 3/32" for less the 16 bucks including shipping.  If any one in San Diego area needs a foot or so to do a rebedding job let me know, I can give you a couple of feet and get you set.  You'd have to meet me at the Pier 32 marina to pick up, but its yours for the asking.

Ralph
Ciao Bella

[added Supper Drain to title - Stu   1/24/2013]
#10
Main Message Board / HX Pencil Zink
December 26, 2012, 08:39:58 AM
I was getting ready to replace the HX zink and when I unscrewed the pulg the old zink is broken off inside the HX.  What is the best way to get that out??  Can you get to it by removing the end plate??

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#11
Main Message Board / New Projects Completed
July 01, 2012, 07:29:32 AM
Completed two of the easiest projects yesterday that I have undertaken so far.  Remove and replace the speed sensor and the joker valve.
The speed sensor on my 87 is under the V-berth to port of center line.  Popped the old one out and jammed the new one in and only had about an inch of water in the bilge.  The hardest part was snipping all the wire ties on the old wire.
For the joke valve, since I had the wet vac out I sucked all the water out of the toilet bowl that runs back due to the leaky old joker valve.  Undid the two hose clamps, two screws and out came the old in went the new and disinfect and clean up.
Really the hardest part of the two projects was convincing the admiral the boat was not going to sink when I pulled out the old speed sensor.

Ralph and Ann Marie
Ciao Bella
#12
Main Message Board / Sewer Tank Vent Hose
June 11, 2012, 08:29:07 AM
When we put Ciao Bella in the yards this spring for a bottom job I alson contracted for all the sewer hose to be replaced.  That job went to hell in a hand basket and because of it I would never recommend the outfit I had do the work. 
Any how on of the problems was that the vent hose was not replaced, the orignal hose was the clear, reinforced water hose and it was allowing the smell through the hose.  I replaced that this week end, one more "to do" item.  It took 7 feet 6 inches of 3/4 inch Trident 148, in case any body else is looking at doing the project. 
The yard did not think that was a part of the sewer hose that I contracted to be replaced.  And they obvisouly did not think hose clamps on some of the new hose was part of the contract either, cause I was missing a few of them.  Funny how a well place hose clamp will keep water from leaking out of the end of a hose.

Ralph
#13
Main Message Board / Propane Stove Installation
May 29, 2012, 08:22:30 AM
This weekend we completed the instalation of our new Force 10 propane stove and propane system.  I fashioned the storage container and instalation just like Ron shows in his upgrade notes and photos.  Cooked our first meal on board Saturday night.  The only problem I ran into was the pressure gage I installed is on the down side of the regulator and I put in a 0 - 300 gage.  And it just does not register.  Need to replace that with a 0 - 15 low pressure gage.
The toughest part of the installation was putting the thru hull in the transom for the storage box vent.  Not much room in the lazzerrt to do major work.  The standards call for a minimum of 1/2 vent and I put in a 3/4 inch hose.
Pardon the pun, but, now we're cooking with gas................

Ralph and Ann Marie
Ciao Bella
#14
Main Message Board / Scupper Drains and Dark Streaks
April 13, 2012, 02:59:38 PM
OK, time for a new line.  When the dew/mist/rain runs down the deck and over board via the four scuppers on deck it leaves dark stains running down the sides.  I have been toying with the idea of putting some 3/8 hose barbs in and RTV them in so they protrude out more and maybe direct the run off into the water vice down the sid.  Or I could even run short hose off them to ensure inport that the run off does not leave it's mark.  I scrub them off and rewax the area about every two months.  does any body else have the same problem, and has any body else done any thing simlar to fight the marks left??   :donno:

Ralph

Ciao Bella
#15
Main Message Board / Bottom Job
February 13, 2012, 01:46:32 PM
Putting Ciao Bella in the yards Friday for a haulout and bottom job.  Also having the exhaust hose replaced (a survey item) and all sewage hose from the toilet to the tank, and from the tank to the deck suction, tank vent and macerator hose.  The hose that is there now is a combination of white and black, for instance from the toilet to the vaccuum breaker is white, from there to the Y valve is black, from Y valve to tank white again.  The current tank vent is clear fiber reinforced hose that looks like water hose.  From tank to deck suck out is black hose.
Also having the stuffing box repacked using GFO packing, and having the anchor locker drain through hull replaced and rebedded.
Going with Shelter Island Boat Yard here in San Diego because they had the best estimate for most of the work.  One other estimate I had gotten estimated 3 man hours to repack the stuffing box.  And yet another yard estimated 7 MHs to replace the through hull under the V-berth.  I know of one other 34 that had issues with the paint job.  But it was corrected by the yard.

More to follow,

Ralph
#16
Main Message Board / Xantrex True Charge 2
December 09, 2011, 10:11:14 AM
Installed a new TC2 last weekend.  Ran the wires direct to the batteries and not to the 1-2-B switch as before.  So far the new charger is working fine.

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#17
Main Message Board / Ground Buss Bar
September 09, 2011, 04:17:17 PM
Stu, Ron,
Behind the power panel and the 1-2-B switch is a Ground Bus Bar, mine is not glued to the bulkhead any longer but hanging by duct tape.  Does this Ground Bus Bar have a ground wire back to the engine block??
The reason for asking is I have a #4 black going from my battery negative to the engine block.  But with it hooked up no lights.
There is a #10 black that goes up under the flooring toward the back of the panel, if I unhook it no lights, hook it to the battery lights.
Shouldn't the lighting Ground Bus Bar be something a little bigger then a #10??
Is the #4 ground to engine block for the starter only??

Any ideas would be appreciated,

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#18
Main Message Board / Alternator Model Number
September 02, 2011, 01:06:05 PM
If any one has installed recently an 85 - 90 amp alternator, what brand did you install and the model number, and most importantly, are you happy with it.  I'm only getting 13.6V - 13.8V out of mine and like to go up to 14.2 - 14.4V.

Ralph
#19
Main Message Board / Ignition Switch Replacement
August 02, 2011, 08:14:21 AM
I've been having on again off again problems with the ignition switch so bought a new one from NAPA.  The rewire on it is very straight forward, two wires, actually 4 but three on one post and one on a second.  The tricky part of this project is getting to the back of the panel to do the replacement.  YOu will need to pull the entire console out.  The aluminum panel is attached into the box with number 6 screws with nuts on the back, the box is wood screws into the glass.  The hard part is getting the 25 year old sealent to let go with out breaking anything.  I use slow, steady pressure and prying around the edge and it came out after about 45 minutes of working on it.  I tried to get at it from the back in the lazzert but..........

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#20
Main Message Board / Tall Rig Versus Standard Rig
July 18, 2011, 11:17:24 AM
Differences in C34 Standard and Tall rig.

What are the real differences in the standard and the tall rig??  I know there is a two foot difference in the height of the mast, but are the main sails the same size??  It appears that the real difference is that the boom on the tall rig is about two feet higher up the mast giving more clearance in the cockpit and above the Dodger. If this is the real difference then the sails should be nearly the same size.  Any help on this one would be greatly appreciated.

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#21
Main Message Board / New NMEA2000 System
July 11, 2011, 08:20:50 AM
This weekends project was installing the new Garmin 740 GPS, Garmin VHF200 Radio and the NMEA2000 Back bone to link them.  Ran the wire up through the steering pedestal but had to file out one of the holes in the base plate to get the plug through.  The base plate has two hole for wires, and the shift cable and throttle cable go through those.  So the the shift cable there the plug would not fit.  But with the ability of the radio to send position now it was all worth the trouble.
The next upgrade will be the Garmin wind indicator that also ties into the NMEA2000 so you have wind speed and direction on the GPS display.  Oh, did I mention the Garmin 740 is touch screen, very nice "toy".

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#22
Main Message Board / Great Day Underway
June 04, 2011, 09:11:48 PM
Got to the boat at about 1030 this morning, wind blowing out of the SW at 13 - 15.  Got Ciao Bella underway, motored out, put up sails and turned off that engine, and it gets quite, and NICE.  Now for those who have never sailed out of south bay San Diego, a SW breeze means you can go from the marina up under the bridge and all the way to Tom Hamms light house, about 8 miles with out tacking.  At tom Hamms you come about once and set the nose on the mark and make it all the way back down again with out tacking.  17 miles on the GPS with one come about, what a life.................

Ralph
Ciao Bella
#23
We are looking at hauling and doing a bottom job on Ciao Bella within a year.  Here in San Diego there is a big push to move from Copper paint to non copper.  I have done some research on CeRam-Kote an epoxy ceramic paint that has been tested here in San Deigo bay with some good results.  Has any body else moved from copper paint and if so have you tried any of the ceramic epoxy paints.

Thank you,
Ralph
Ciao Bella
#24
Main Message Board / Pressure Alchohal Stove
February 17, 2011, 03:23:06 PM
Now that I have nearly all the little things fixed on Ciao Bella, fuel tank leak, rotten fuel hose, and can turn my attention to creature comforts, does any one have information on the original pressure alcohol stove that came with the boats back in 87. Is any one still operation theirs?? I'm thinking of just replacing it with a non pressure stove but could use a tech manual to read over first before I make that move.  I am not sure about replacing it with propane, where is the propane locker vented and how is it vented if I opt to go that route.  Any advice and or photos to show where and how the propane locker fits and is vented would be greatly appreciated.

Ralph and Ann Marie
Ciao Bella
San Diego
#25
Main Message Board / Deck Covering
February 02, 2011, 01:18:59 PM
On my 1987, hull 367, the areas of the deck that get a lot of wear from walking is starting to show fiberglass through the coating.  Ours is a gray color.  It needs to be recovered.  Has any body tried Lemar Treadmaster Smooth Traction deck Covering, a 1/8 inch thick foam type covering that is applied with a two part epoxy???  Just wondering if it holds up and how well it wears and the ease of cleaning.

Ralph
Ciao bella :clap
#26
Main Message Board / Fleets
January 25, 2011, 03:40:41 PM
How do we get a San Diego Fleet??  I know there are several ACTIVE 34's down here.

Ralph
Ciao Bell..............
#27
Main Message Board / Ritchie SP-5 Compass
January 24, 2011, 02:48:36 PM
I read a couple of days ago a post about the overhaul and repair of the SP-5 compass.  I just sent mine in off Ciao Bella, hull 367, and the cost to replace the bowl and refurbish is $198.00, which includes return shipping.

Ralph
#28
Main Message Board / Fuel leak in fuel return line
January 16, 2011, 06:24:47 PM
The last two or three time out I have noticed a bit of diesel fuel getting into the bilges.  Today I traced out the problem with the engine running at about 1000 RPM in the slip and noticed the leak in the return line from the injector pump. 
The problem was caused by where the line runs around the water lift box for the exhaust.  After a number of years it rubbed a hole in the hose.
What you'll need to fix if you have the same problem.  Remove the wood partition at the foot of the aft berth that will allow access to the fuel tank.  The hose on mine, hull number 367, a 1987 with the 25 HP engine was 1/4 inch and it took 8 feet.
After I installed the new hose where it raps around the water lift I split a length of left over hose and put it around the fuel line to insulate it from the heat and rubbing.
Putting the wood panel back in was a snap.  the entire project, including the trip to WM to get the hose only took abot 3 hours from start to finish clean up of the fuel in the bilges.

Ciao Bella....................
#29
Main Message Board / New C34 Owners
January 13, 2011, 01:23:32 PM
We have been the proud owners of hull number 367, Ciao Bella, for about six months now.  Most of the things I needed to know about the boat I've learned the hard way, the Navy way, getting in there and crawling around and tracing wires and hoses and looking on the other side of bulkheads. (Spent 30 years in the Navy).  But I must say that this forum is very interesting.  I have also found a ton of information by researching the internet, and if I did not get a good response, I rephrased the question and went back in.
We sail every week end here in San Diego, mostly in South Bay where the wind is alway strong and the traffic is light, Christmas day we were the only boat on the water with about 10 knots.  We looked at a lot of boats when we were ready to buy and the C34 is one of the best you can find.  (I told the broker we had to kiss alot of frogs before we found our Princess)  Thanks to all who have input information here, I'll keep reading looking for that one vital piece of knowledge I still need.

Ralph