Topics

I just replaced a Headmate 1460 with a Raritan Superflush head in my 2002 MKll. Installation was not difficult, but some alterations had to be made, including: None of the mounting holes lined up so I had to drill 4 new holes, the Raritan covered the original holes completely and there was solid plywood where I had to drill. Only the waste hose was long enough to reuse, so I needed 12 ft. of new water hose to complete.

Seems to work very well, a little larger that the Headmate 1460, but the Raritan fits comfortably in the space.

I just replaced the 4d batteries on my 2002 Mk2 with 2 NAPA #8274, cost $206.10 ea. Over the years I have read the advantages of golf cart batteries, but after measuring the existing 4d battery trays and looking at the wiring currently on the boat, I decided on the 4d, NAPA marine, deep cycle batteries. They were delivered to my local store, were dated May, 2015 and fit perfectly, easy installation.

My old 4d batteries lasted 9 years for my type of sailing and I hope to get the same with the new ones. Not sure anyone has mentioned NAPA as a source for 4d's.

My boat was launched this week and the refrigeration is not working. It seems that the fan runs continuously but not the compressor. It has worked flawlessly for 10 years so am uncertain why it would fail now. Any thoughts or experience on this? I could use the advice/help.
Thanks,
Dave

I have a R&D used damper plate from a 2002 Universal M35B. The damper plate was replaced several years ago when the transmission was replaced, but the damper plate is in excellent condition, about 200 hours. Part number is: LL R&D 22B4. New from PYI is $162. Will sell for $50 OBO plus shipping.

Dave DeAre
ddeare34@sbcglobal.net

I have a 2002  Catalina 34 with an in mast roller furling system on the main. When the sail is removed for storage the foil inside the mast bangs noisily with every movement of the boat or wind gust. Annoying and possibly damaging to the foil or mast.

I fixed this by tying a line (old halyard or whatever) to the swivel block, then tying a series of bowlines around the foil 3'-5' apart. I tied each bowline around the foil then raised the swivel block and line attached with the bowlines by pulling the main halyard up. When finished, I had about 8 fairly evenly spaced bowlines wrapped around the foil and inside the mast. This has stopped the noise.

During our 34 mile trip from Winter storage the M35B on our 2002 34 ran strong at 2600 rpm for several hours, then slowed down to 2000 several times. Made the trip at 2000 rpm with no problems. Changed both fuel filters and inspected the tank all were very clean and the engine then started and ran fine at the dock.
This same sequence occurred on a long motoring trip in 2008 and after filter changes all was apparently well.
About to leave for the Weds Beer Can Race and the engine died and would not restart. The M35B engine  has a fuel bleed screw on the injector pump and the lift pump is initially activated by the glow plug solenoid. Removal of the bleed screw showed no fuel under pressure at the injector pump.

I ordered a new fuel lift pump from Torresen Marine. Their website has on line catalogs for Universal Diesel engines and ships super quick. Replacement of the fuel lift pump resolved the problem and all is now well.

However, I learned from this experience that the lift pump on my M35B did not fail catastrophically, but apparently deteriorated over a period of time. Anyway, if your M35B engine slows down under load, check the fuel lift pump. Contrary to prior posts, at least for my boat, there is no fuel at the injector pump without an operating fuel lift pump. Tank was full.