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Messages - Jon Arck - Past C34IA Commodore

#1
Stu, thanks for taking this up.  As always, you're a star!

Does anyone know the baffle configuration inside the metal tank?  Is it preferable to siphon fuel from the fill side to try to remove whatever blocked the intake (or will the baffles prevent me from getting it all -- or nearly all), or to do so from the Racor intake side and filter the fuel through a Baja filter into containers?
#2
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.
#3
Main Message Board / PLB
April 01, 2010, 06:24:26 PM
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
#4
Main Message Board / Re: Good safety idea
September 27, 2009, 09:34:55 PM
Thanks for the great idea!  I will buy the rings as soon as I'm flush...
#5
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)...
#6
Main Message Board / Standing Rigging Replacement
March 30, 2008, 11:58:57 PM
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
#7
Main Message Board / Re: V-Berth Mattress
January 15, 2008, 11:34:08 PM
Hi, Everyone

Happy New Year!

I added the Froli to my vee berth a year ago (about $200), and it's great!  Not only is the berth more comfortable, but the plastic springs keep the cushion elevated and with the airflow, there's no condensation beneath the cushions.  A nice bonus...

#8
Rick,

Great pics!  Thanks for the info.  We'll likely get the rigging replaced at the Boatyard at Grand Marina
(formerly, Mariner's Boatyard), where Tweety Bird was commissioned and where we get the bottom done every other year.
#9
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
#10
Main Message Board / Re: a matter of protocol
June 05, 2007, 08:13:19 PM
Hi, Everyone

It HAS to be on the starboard side, since that's where Catalina puts them!

Fair winds,
Jon
#11
Main Message Board / Re: St4000 Display
June 05, 2007, 07:58:36 PM
Hi, Ken

If available, it might be less expensive to buy a rebuilt unit from Raymarine.

Good luck,
Jon
#12
The Tech Notes and new Knowledgebase, alone, are worth many times the cost of membership!

Great job, thanks!  I've already saved a lot of time finding what I need because of your dedication!

Jon
#13
Main Message Board / Re: Power out to instruments
November 26, 2006, 12:09:12 PM
Hi, Everyone

The last work done was to install a ST4000+ autopilot about two years ago, besides adding engine compartment insulation in the spring/summer (which could cause heat buildup, and I'll check).

TransPacific, the local distributor, suggests that I check the batteries for a short (especially since the pair of American Battery 4Ds are 7 years old), so I'll do that tomorrow and see if that's the problem.  Stay tuned...

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone,
Jon
#14
Main Message Board / Re: Power out to instruments
November 22, 2006, 06:34:51 PM
Hi, Everyone

Okay, Stu wrote the post for me because I was going to solve the problem (which I thought would be easier than it's been), then write about it.  Shy I'm not...

The breaker mounted on the M35B engine next to the fuel pump used to pop after about  1/2 hour; now it pops as soon as the engine is started -- even when the exhaust fan is off.  While the engine pod instrument pods go off, the engine keeps running.  If the key is turned on without starting the engine, the breaker stays closed.

Resetting the breaker enables the engine to be started again (and the engine pod instruments work).  Then, the breaker pops again as soon as the engine is started.

The breaker in the engine pod doesn't pop.  The Navod instruments aren't affected.

So far, we replaced the ignition switch and starter button, cleaned/sealed all the wires on the bussbar and checked all connections in the engine pod and the electrical panel at the nav station.  We checked the engine ground and the alternator output, as well as the tach output.

At Stu's suggestion, we'll wire a new 20 amp breaker in parallel with the current one and see whether the current one pops while the new one stays closed.   If we still have a problem, we'll try Ron's suggestion.  As soon as we try it/them, I'll post another message.  Regardless, I like Ray's suggestion of a separate fuse for the exhaust.

Thanks to everyone for your comments/suggestions.
#15
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