Topics

Tweety Bird will be going to HMB on Saturday-Sunday, June 23-24 (possibly, via the Farallones).

If you'd like to join us on your boat, call me at 925-683-3997 or email me at jonarck@kelarc.com

We also are planning a four-day trip to Monterey in early August, likely Thursday-Sunday, the 9th-12th, for which we're seeking 2 crew and accompanying boats.

Well, after years of delay, it seems that it's time to get a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon, a personal EPIRB, if you will).  It seems to make sense, since I'm more interested in sending MY location if I go overboard, rather than the boat's (of course, if I'm not such a klutz that I go overboard, they are one-and-the-same).

Does anyone have experience with PLBs, and if you bought one, why did you choose the one you did?  And if you considered a PLB, but still opted for the EPIRB, why?

Thanks, and Happy Daylight Savings Time!
Jon

Hi, Everyone

Happy Holidays (Chanukah and/or Christmas) and New Year!

We just added an ICOM 502 VHF on Tweety Bird, but can't figure-out how to put the WHAM mike at the helm and get the wiring belowdecks so that we can connect to the VHF.  There isn't room inside the instrument pod-to-cockpit sole conduit to string the wire belowdecks, there's no room to run the wire through the pedestal plate, and the pedestal guards are full; so, we're considering putting the receptacle on the left coaming next to the Whale manual bilge pump, which makes access through the lazarette and down to the head easy, but we'd much rather have the mic right at the helm).

We also have a new GPS, but trying to put it at the helm has two issues: getting the antenna cable from the stern pulpit to the GPS, and running the wire belowdecks to the VHF for DSC transmission.

Does anyone have an idea?  We don't want to drill another hole through the cockpit sole, nor do we want to locate the mike or GPS in the coaming, but don't see another alternative. 

I guess that that Mick was right (you can't always get what you want)...

Hi, Everyone

Our 1997 C34 MK II (Tweety Bird, #1346 in San Francisco Bay) has seen pretty hard use in her 10 1/2 years, being sailed at least 40 times a year (often more than 50) in fairly windy conditions, and until 2 years ago, we raced (well, that's what we called it) once a month for most of the year.  While we've only averaged a couple of 2-day trips outside the Gate each year, we're planning to increase it and add some mid-week sailing, adding quite a few more days to our average.

I'be been thinking about replacing the standing rigging for several months, but have heard a lot of conflicting advice.  Catalina recommends replacement every 7 years in cases of hard use, whereas some of my fellow fleet members have had theirs for over 12 years.  I had the rigging inspected and was told that it looks okay, but that you can't always tell and that I should replace it.

I'm inclined to do so, but would like some other members' comments (Ron, I'm sure that you MUST have something to say on the matter).  Postponing the almost $3000 job ($2500, plus I expect some additional work will be required when the mast is upstepped and inspected) probably isn't worth the risk in losing the rig and someone getting injured or the boat incurring possibly serious damage.

Maybe how long members have waited before replacing their standing rigging would be a good monthy survey question.  Also, whether they replaced lifelines at the same time.

Thanks and good sailing,
Jon Arck

Hi, Everyone

Well, it's time to replace our standing rigging and lifelines, per our rigger.  If you've done it, who did it for you and what else did you do at the time (replaced VHF cable, wind speed instrument, etc)?  Was your mast taken down, and would you use the rigger or yard again? 

Also, if you've replaced your dodger, I'd appreciate knowing who did it and how happy you are with it.  Did you have anything special done (extra-thick windows, window in top to see the sails, etc.)?

Thanks,
Jon

Hi, Everyone

If you've done a "particularly impressive restoration," Bill Prince, publisher of "Classic Yacht" online magazine, wants to know about it for a future issue.  Please contact him at publisher@classicyachtmag.com.

In the meantime, C34IA members are offered a free subscription that can be obtained at www.classicyachtmag.com

Regards,
Jon

Hi, Everyone

For those of you who bypass the main page (maybe coming directly to the Forum), we've added a number of new vendors to the Ship's Store and will continue to add more.

If you have a vendor whom you like to see added, send me their contact info and I'll contact them.

Regards,
Jon

Hi, Fleet 8

If anyone has an asymmetrical that you'd like to sell, please contact me.

thanks,
Jon Arck
jonarck@kelarc.com
925-683-3997

Hi, Everyone

If you're going to be at the Miami Show, please let me know; maybe we can get a dinner together, like we did in Annapolis -- " and a good time was had by all.."

Also, I'll have C4IA burgees for $17 each (such a deal!)

Regards,
Jon

If anyone has replaced the old engine pod with the new style one, I'd appreciate hearing from you, as I'd like to do it at the same time that I replace the old 1" pedestal guard with the 1 1/4" double-angled one.

thanks,
Jon
jonarck@kelarc.com

Hi, Everyone

Wow!  What a great show and a terrific get-together Friday night at the Chart House!  So many experiences and stories to share...and so much rain!  Still, wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by; meeting you was the best part of the entire time and reminds me why I belong to the C34IA and am happy and lucky to be an active part of the Association!

We've had a lot of interest from vendors who want to advertise with us and are willing to give us year-round Boat Show discounts, so stay tuned.  And there also is interest from the other IA groups to band-together for a single Vendor Showcase to leverage the full power of the entire Catalina Owner's family to bring you further benefits of membership.

Hope to see more of you in Oakland in the spring, and don't forget to contact me if you're coming West.

Jon Arck
Commodore
925-683-3997