Messages

The key to my single handing is organization.  I prepare a mental checklist based on the outing and place everything possible needed where I can either reach it or see it.  This includes all sail lines reaching the helm station, tools which may be needed, safety items, etc. ( a Handheld VHF is a must ). I include a line trailing the sailboat and comfort items such as food and drink.  Once while single handing I had to untangle a bundled line on a winch.  But I had planned for such a happening.  Leaving and returning to the dock must be well planned so you can do it by yourself.  The days spent single handing our 34 have been some of the most rewarding sailing experienced.

We don't want to sound lazy or snug but due to our decision not to climb the mast or spend any extra money last season we enjoyed sailing all summer without the wind direction. We calculated wind speeds by watching white caps and contacting friends who have installed measuring capabilities.  In Missouri fresh water lake sailing, we worry most about gust spreads from passing thunderstorms.  We learned to watch and listen to the sails working our speed meter getting every tenth of knot possible ( If we wanted to go fast ).  Most of the time we are happy going slow.  Carol has purchased a hand held wind speed device which we use mostly to answer questions.  All in all, last summers sailing, was unencumbered by lack of wind direction and wind speed.  As Stu says give a try without until you decide what you want and need.   We have looked longingly at the Tic Tack Wireless.  That would be our choice when on the shrouds the yarn wears out.  I like comments the Tic Tack is a breeze to install!  Welcome with your 1988. . we have a 1987 Tall Rig.

After removing Bristol and refinishing teak last fall on our 87, your project of replacement with Plasteak sounded easy.  Can you share more of the project?  Did everything fit?  How did you ship all your teak pieces to Plasteak?

Sorry, Fleet Four missed reporting in the last issue of MainSheet.  

This winter brings a great south wind of continuing warm weather to Stockton Lake and Fleet Four members wain slowly to winterize their ships.  John and Linda ordered a new Jib planning to race some next spring, Mark and Norma move their yacht around on F Dock to catch the morning sun down the hatch versus evening on the stern, Joe and Carol went LED in total shore power after reviving the economy with IKEA purchases and the absence of Todd and Jonie still linger in sitting on the dock tales of the sunsets.  

Fleet Four Lake sailors go into coming of winter like the appreciation of starting something to endure knowing it will end.  The Annapolis Show over and St Pete Show to come, with a chance decision to bare the cold of the Chicago Show, we now long for the warmth of March to uncover, exhaust the pink, hoist up the sails and ale and discover what project old man winter put upon our provisioning. Have you heard the story of the couple finding a Beaver had made home in their boat for the winter?  Makes Fleet Four members schedule regular visits to their boats. Lake Stockton is not that remote or austere but some of you must image what it is like to sail in the Ozarks?  

Those who have to pause sailing in the winter appreciate more the seasons of earth like the Bald Eagles circling above watching the waters for the sustaining life they provide. We will sail again as soon as we can or dare despite calender or temperatures or Obama.  Keep us in mind if you ever visit Stockton Lake.  One of the top ten fresh water sailing lakes in America!

Joe and Carol
YachtaSea

I know others will contribute specifically to your request and by searching the knowledge contained in the C34 Association Site you will learn so much.  Knowing you are a previous Catalina sailor, my advice is to act quickly once you find the C34 of your choice.  Do not let a fair price compared to a real deal stop your purchase.  Waiting to long to close a decision can cause you to lose a purchase opportunity.  Everyone at this time in our recession is looking for a deal . . . but you are looking for a Catalina 34.  Its worth as a fine crafted ship and its contribution to your pleasure and leisure are discretionary factors of the price in total.

What you pay for the C34 you find and what you spend to tend her to your likes will never be regretted if you enjoy a C34 as much as Carol and I.  Best of Luck.

We have friends whose sailboat ( not a Catalina ) black plastic salon windows have turned white/gray on the outside.  One can still see through the windows from inside and they do not leak.  Is there an inexpensive fix to re color the exterior of the plastic windows without losing ability to see through the windows?  Would a film application work?  Ideas?

To all who responded on our question, a hearty thanks.  We checked vent line and then filled first from aft, toppin off mid ship.  Everything worked correctly and quickly causing those circling the service dock not a long wait for us to fill water tanks.

On our 1987 Tall Rig, we choose a reef designed Kappa 150, with UV Strip to match our bimini.  With this sail we have been very happy.  We had an orginal 155 but I can tell you the 150 is perfect.

Carol asked me to move shore power outlet further to the rear of the boat.  Great idea.  Now outlet and cord are no longer in the way of boarding ( Yes, I know we could have boarded starboard instead of port, but it just doesn't seem right ).  Used 12/30 amp Marine wiring and connectors, new socket ( left old one in as hole cover ).  Project, with help from Fleet Four member, John Finch took less than one hour.  New position is about four feet further to rear than original location.  Cost not a factor cause Carol is happy! 

I elected not to run wiring all the way to the electrical control panel and insured all connections were solid ( crimped ). Any comments if warrented would be welcomed.

Todd and Joni have moved to Flordia and will be taking their Catalina 34 with them.  Fleet Four members will greatly miss their sailing fellowship.  Todd was the popular choice for Fleet Four Commodore and now that he is gone Fleet Four must again face the leadership campaigns of remaining members to take Todd's place.  Look for the Fleet Four Group Picture coming up in the next Main Sheet.  It shows all members including the dogs.  You gotta love the dogs!

We have been filling first with midship fill port then finishing with the stern fill port. 

We have a 1987 Catalina 34, Hull number 244, with factory plastic water tanks, one forward in the salon and one aft in the rear berth area.  When we fill up with fresh water it takes forever with water backing up in port opening plate unless we fill at a trickle flow.  It seems to take too much time to fill? Our overflow vent in rear seems to work properly.  What can we do to speed up the fill?

See you at the Annapolis Boat Show!

Our outdoor speakers mount off lower rail underneath stern perch seats.  Out of rain beat and shaded from the sun, they swivel to point away or toward cockpit.  Never had a problem with this location.  They are wired allowing removal and storage in rear locker.

We have had our Kappa Sails for over three years now.  Perfectly happy with them from day one.  Personally, I believe Kappa sails perform well in lift and control, design and price.
 

Our 34 is older than those discussed.  I find it sometimes prudent to replace the clamps rather than just tighten them.  Also, the positioning of a clamp and hose on a connector should be checked when tightening a clamp.  We also check the port fill caps on our water tanks one or twice a year for air leaks.

We hope to observe the MTE race some day on board the committee boat.