Messages

Nice write-up Andy.  I did this job on my Mk1.5 with a Universal M35AC engine about 11 years ago.  The configuration is slightly different.  I wrote it up here:
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6878.msg45884.html#msg45884

You're right that getting the old hose off is the hardest part and cutting is the best way; maybe the only way.

Yours was a great write-up!  How has the hose held up after 11 years and did you end up changing the hose that goes into the nipple?

Also, the hump in your hose looks fatter than mine.  I wonder if they changed the design?  Yours looks like it could dampen more vibration.

My hump hose still looks brand new.  I'm in the process of replacing my transmission now and had to remove my engine to do so.  I'll be changing the hose that goes to the nipple as part of that job.  Getting the exhaust flange off the engine wasn't easy but it seems I had an easier job than some have reported.  The exhaust riser is still connected to the hump hose making it tricky to remove it from the exhaust flange studs.

I think the hump hose diameter is the same.  Mine is shorter so maybe it looks like it's smaller diameter because of that.  The two sizes (6" and 8") look to be different diameters on the Catalina Direct website but they are the same 1 5/8" ID.  https://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.searchResults

Nice write-up Andy.  I did this job on my Mk1.5 with a Universal M35AC engine about 11 years ago.  The configuration is slightly different.  I wrote it up here:
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6878.msg45884.html#msg45884

You're right that getting the old hose off is the hardest part and cutting is the best way; maybe the only way.

There are two affordable ways to go:
1.  Suction extractor similar to the one Jim and Noah identified in previous posts.  I hadn't seen the brand Jim uses.  I use the commonly available Pela 6 litre extractor. 
https://ca.binnacle.com/p3291/PELA-6000-Oil-Extractor-6-Litre/product_info.html.  The suction tube on my Pela is quite small so I push it down the dipstick / fill port and wiggle it around to get the oil at the back of the oilpan that is hard to remove using the drain hose.
It's also dead easy to extract the transmission fluid using the small suction tube.

2.  Use a hand pump and dump the oil into a suitable container.  Here is one:  https://ca.binnacle.com/product_info.php?products_id=2233. The pump is significantly less expensive but it's a messier job.  They usually come with various size suction hoses so you can use a small one to suck oil out of the transmission and a larger one for a speedier job to suck oil from the engine.

I like the Pela pump but it takes up quite a bit of space if you carry it aboard.  I have both; the Pela suction extractor that I usually keep at home and bring it to the boat for the end of the season engine and transmission oil changes at our home port, and a manual pump that I carry aboard and can do an oil change if I get to 100 hrs and don't expect to be back a our home port for a while.

Choose whatever tool suits you best.  It will be money well spent.

Keelson,
It's also important to understand exactly what your Victron is telling you.  100% capacity of your batteries is whatever you tell the Victron is 100%.  There are lots of postings on the subject of battery capacity as measured by battery monitors on this site.  Here's a starting point.  https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,11555.msg93342.html#msg93342
A bad cell in one battery is a good possibility, but, unless you know exactly how the Victron was set up, it's also possible that the batteries were simply allowed to become discharged if you are relying on the "Percent State of Charge" reading on the Victron to assess their status.  (do you have solar or a 120V battery charger?)

Good luck with your detective work!

Ron is right.  A voltmeter is your friend.  Also, the electrical schematic in the MkII manual might be helpful.  It shows the cabin lighting wiring starts at the electrical panel and runs clockwise around the boat to the aft cabin reading lights.  Assuming the wiring has not been altered and the schematic is a reasonable representation of the phisical layout of the wiring (which is a big assumption), if the lights along the starboard side of the boat are working, then the problem is isolated to the v-berth reading lights or the short wires that feed it.

I strongly support Jim's recommendation.  Splicing three strand rode is quite easy and Jim's recommendation to buy some cheap three strand for practice is great advice.  You'll become confident in no-time.  My rode looks exactly like the picture Jim showed n his post.  I "end for ended" my rode about 2 years ago and redid the splice at the chain.  I inspect for chafe almost every time the anchor comes up and have had zero issues in more than 12 years with the same rode.  We anchor out a lot; almost every night in in the summer sailing season and I never lose sleep worrying about my rode to chain splice. 

Wow, that's nice work Stephen. I'll look forward to seeing it in person once we launch in 4 or 5 weeks.

Hi Holger,
The small metal tap is a drain to allow water to be drained from the muffler. This might be used if preparing the boat for winter or if the engine failed to start after extended cranking and the muffler became too full of seawater.
I have one also but have never used it. I run lots of antifreeze through the cooling system when preparing my boat for winter to ensure water sitting in the muffler can't freeze and crack the structure.

There was a good discussion about the 425 in this forum in 2017. 
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,8693.msg68519.html#msg68519

Later in the thread at Reply #37, former C34 owner and periodic forum poster Fred Koehlmann confessed that he bought the C425 at the 2017 Toronto International Boat Show.  https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,8693.msg69141.html#msg69141 
I think he got Hull #2 or 3.  Coincidentally, Fred is only a few slips away from me at our marina.  He invited me aboard this summer for a tour.  It's a really wonderful boat.  He has a hard dodger.   The interior is very attractive and warm Catalina woodwork unlike some of the modern European boats with more austere interiors.  Headroom below is very generous and is reflected in the topsides with quite high freeboard.

I'm definitely not in the market to replace our beloved C34 but if I was, the C425 would be a strong contender.

There are lots of videos on YouTube and other information on the web about unstepping a mast. This one is pretty good. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHubEn13i_o

I hope you're not thinking you can unstep the mast without a crane or gin pole.  This is possible on many small trailerable sailboats but would be a highly dangerous disaster on a C34.

Hello Holger,
I measured this some time ago to make sure that carpet that we bought would stay flat on the floor and not bunch up on the base of the mast.  Based on my measurement, the carpet could be a maximum of 55cm wide. 
Hopefully this is close to what you're looking for.

Hi James,
The "ų" symbol is called "mu" and represents microns. So 25ų is 25 microns.

Jeff,
The hump hose installation is relatively easy.  Here's a link to detailed instructions with pictures.  (full disclosure... I wrote it)
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6878.msg45884.html#msg45884

I'm sure you"ll have no difficulty. 

Hi Matthieu
I have no issues at all with my 67' x 144" cradle.  It's been moved via a hydraulic trailer short distances at the marina on numerous occasions.  The previous owner used the cradle to moved the boat at least 225 km on a truck... and then back again on at least one occasion.  For many years, our boat was exposed to significant winter weather / wind on Georgian bay and it was perfectly stable.
I just returned from the marina an hour ago after hauling my boat out for the winter today.  After seeing your previous post, I was casually observing the cradles in use at our marina where about 600 boats are hauled out each year.  Based on my inspection of about 50 cradles last week and earlier today, cradles 8 ft wide seem to be limited to very large sailboats.
I am perfectly comfortable with the width of my cradle and I'm sure you'll be happy with yours. 

Dave 

Hi Jim,
We'll see you at the GLCC Rendezvous in Mackinaw City. We're leaving Midland this week for a leisurely cruise up the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, then traverse the length of the North Channel to the US border at Drummond Island. I think (hope) I have everything in order with the ROAM app, the DTOPS decal and the ArriveCAN app.
I'm hoping we'll be able to form a loosely knit flotilla to the North Channel after the Rendezvous. Especially for those who may not have cruised the North Channel before.