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Ok,
Before I changed the packing material in the packing gland, all was relatively quiet when the motor was running and in gear. I changed the packing material, ran it in for about an hour in gear at the dock and all was well.

Yesterday was the first sail since then. Now, when I put it in forward, there was a thumping sound. After getting under sail and shutting the engine down, I noticed the thumping noise was still there. I shifted out of neutral and into forward and the sound remained. However, when I shifted it to reverse, the sound stopped. Upon starting the motor again, the noises returned.

Any ideas guys?

Hey gang!
Finally got to changing out the packing material in the stuffing thang! I replaced it with the gortex material. It was simple and straight forward. I followed all your suggestions, had the C-34 manual laid out and had the forum up on my droid. Ran the motor in gear for an hour to seat the material. Shaft/stuffing box was not hot, barely even warm. No drips and all went well. Another item I can check off that I can do.

Thanks for all of your insight!!!

The water heater fittings that the hoses connect to are starting to crack on my boat. Are these fittings available at West Marine or Home Depot; or, do you have to order them from the heater manufacturer? They appear to be that type of plastic fitting sold at West Marine.

In reading all the old postings on the water tank vent, I happened across an article in Sailing World about "Basic Fresh Water Storage." One idea they put forward is to run the vent to the sink. Has anyone tried that? I want to get rid of the vent through the stanchions for both waste AND water. This seemed like a good solution to the water. I have the solution for the waste already.

My wife met a young man who had seen my posts on this here board. I'd love to answer your questions that she couldn't please contact me at lance@gillna.com. Always happy to talk about the C-34 with someone looking to get the best boat on the market!

Here is the first step to the port side LED lighting. I have yet to add the indirect lighting over the nav station so the wiring is still looking ugly. However, with the port and starboard indirects going, the cabin looks very warm and cozy. You can now read in this lighting. Below are some pictures. The one with the whole cabin was taken without flash.

Photo 1) Shows the back of the switches. I have a small locator hole pre-drilled if I want to add a 3rd switch. The wood is teak trim from my C-27.

Photo 2) Shows the front of the switches. The indirect switch for the cabin lighting is forward on both sides of the boat. That way, from either settee, you can turn on/off the lighting.

Finally completed my indirect lighting project on the starboard side.
1) Replaced the fluorescent light over the fridge with a 48 inch strip of LED lights from: http://www.allelectronics.com/index.php?page=search&search_query=LS-48W&x=27&y=11
2) Added a 39 inch strip under the cabinet shelves in galley to light that storage area from: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Flight_bars-flexible.html
3) 1&2 are tied to a single switch
4) Added a 37 inch strip of waterproof LEDs below the ports. From: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Flight_bars-flexible.html
5) 4 is tied to its own switch.

Along the lines of the holding tank breather, would the same concept with a 1" mushroom vent work here as well? I'm really tired of a vented stanchion.....

I discovered some dry rot on the starboard bulkhead that is between the galley and saloon shelving. I had a leaking stanchion that I rebedded recently. Is this a structural/weight bearing bulkhead or simply a partition?

Is it hard to replace?

I learned my lesson last time I used a chlorine based cleaner for the head -- well it is sort of like a real bathroom.... It ate the pump up.

I'm concerned about fungus developing on the head deck as it is usually moist to some extent. I'm sure Peggy has some great suggestions as do the rest of you.

I sit back in amazement (no, not my basement) as to the unbelievable resource and a veritable spring of knowledge we have here on this forum. I know I ask some stupid questions now and then; but, everyone has been answered. Not only have you helped me save time, money and skinned knees/elbows etc; but, you have helped me more fully enjoy this great boat we all love.

I just wanted to give y'all a very heartfelt thanks for all that you have done for me in the past and also for what I know you will do for me in the future!

Semper 34!

My wife gets upset at me when I see that the pressure water switch has been left on. I was looking for a way to make it obvious that the switch was on and I read Ron's Wiki about marking one side with finger nail polish/paint (Should have expected that from an aviator!  ). Looks like a great and easy fix. How well has that lasted Ron?

Also, the switch has 3 prongs labeled 1, 2, & 3. how would I convert that to a lighted switch like the one for the Propane solenoid????

I just posted this link on the 34 Facebook page. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heVSnJSUZt0
Has anyone thought of C34IA members in the SF area holding an AC cruise to watch the race on the water and hosting visiting C34IA members? Just an idea.

Anyone besides myself going to be there? Come by the Gill Booth - #109 and ask for me. Be glad to talk and even help sign you up for a free Topaz Uno sailboat!!!

Catalina has a good selection on the floor. My booth is right across from the Bent Toys. Shaping up to be a good show. Highs in the 20s!!!!! For a Florida/Georgia boy, that sho is cold weathah up cheer!

I looked through the search and could not find the answer. I seem to recall reading that you could get exact switch(rocker) replacements from Seaward (I think). How do I do that?

Our Sure Flo went tango uniform and we replaced it with the Parmax 4 from Jabsco. It has nearly double the GPM at 4.2 Our only issue is that when only one faucet is open, it surges. When the shower and the sink are on, no worries. Trouble shooting guide says that hose diameter may be a bit small and should be upgraded.

Has anyone experienced this before?

Thanks, as usual, in advance...

I have an interesting problem. Just recently, our cabin lighting would turn off when we turned on/off a light fixture (not a specific one. could be any of them.). It's not the breaker (It didn't pop at least) AND in about 2-5 minutes, the lights turn back on. Any insight? Thanks in advance.

I've been replacing the black plastic sliding doors with teak and have done all except the pair over the nav station. However, they don't lift out like the ones I've done before. Anyone else do this and what are your suggestions?

Happy New Year!

I added the water strainer as Ron suggested in an earlier post. Since doing so, I have checked and cleaned it about every other week or so. What a great addition. It keeps so much crud from getting to the one-way valve and then to the pump.

Thanks for a great suggestion Ron!

I've started this gnu thread to get it off of the original New Owners thread.
I've started to BUILD a Facebook page to draw people to the C-34IA webpage. Please look at it, make suggestions and even "Like" it. Here is the link to it:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Catalina-34-International-Association/137984386255993

We're already up to 9 friends.

Ed. [fixed link URL - Stu]

We've adopted a new cat. Anyone have advice who has had a cat aboard before?

I might say that is a WONDERFUL looking C-34 on the Main Page of the website! How beautiful it looks with the Rampant Lion flying you can almost hear Scotland the Brave playing in the background! 

The engine water strainer coming off the through hull split when I was cleaning the bowl out. Any idea what size I need and where to get? I brought it by West Marine and they didn't have anything that would work. (Checked the search engine)

I know, I know, I know -- Size doesn't matter. In doing a search on the site, I couldn't find anything saying if the full size (Household size) bowl will fit in a Mk I Head. I did see a post about a full sized electric head; but, we're looking to just upgrade to a full sized hand pumped head. Anyone know if the Jabsco full sized head will fit?

Our shower drain pump stopped working. I don't know if it the switch or the pump. I already have a replacement pump. What type switch does it use?

I tried to find the type of the decorative wood panel that is the lining of the galley lower shelf on a Mk 1. I had a stanchion leak and it is all dry rotted out. Does Catalina still carry this type wood?

I know the boats came without any bottom paint. However, I have the dark blue boot stripe with a white hull. What are some of the colors y'all have used or seen? Any favorites?

I'm getting our bottom done in a couple of weeks and I was just curious as I don't really like that blue that's on her now. 

The white, leatherett board that hides the wiring between the teak and the hull is supported by wood blocks a-fixed to the deck above. My blocks are starting to come loose. How are they attached to the deck above? Epoxy? 5200?

I read the post on the chap mounting the cable receptacle in the anchor locker. Is the only way to get to the anchor locker is by removing the forward V-berth bulkhead? I know several have said this is not a good idea. However, I am in fresh water and the anchor locker is the best location for this purpose for us.

I went to post photos in the gallery and it asked me for a user name & password. I don't know what those are. Can someone e or pm me those so I can post?

Thanks!

My wife pointed out that our bilge pump was running constantly. After being a paratrooper and then moving into Artillery, I'm somewhat hard of hearing and didn't notice the sound. I quickly inspected the bilges for high water and found none. I switched the panel switch to manual and back to automatic. I also switched the pump to off (I have an intermediate switch). No joy!

I finally had to cut the wire to turn it off. Have any of you salts experienced a similar problem with the Rule 500gph automatic pumps? If so, what was your solution?

Cheers!

The word is out -- C-355. A smaller version of the 455!!

Ok, I'm not at the boat to diagnose. However, my wife reported that while in the shower, the main breaker popped. She checked the connection at the plug in and also at the junction box on the dock. She also unplugged and replugged in the shore power cable. Any idea as to what is going on?

What a great boat! I'm out on the lake in a secluded cove. We watched an awesome sunset. Then my wife and I had a refreshing swim. Put up the wind scoop. Came down into the cabin. My wife opens up our Engel Freezer below the nav station and hands me a nice, solidly frozen ice cream bar. We both lounge around in the cabin with both of us on wifi. One dog is on deck and the other curled up at her feet. We spent some time watching the stars and the then the bats chasing the bugs. What a great boat that allows us these pleasures!!!!!

I have a good friend who was my race crew and is going to be in the SF area arriving next Wednesday afternoon and staying through July 5th. He is looking to charter a 34. Will anyone be racing or cruising at that time and need crew? He is totally awesome and would be an asset to ANY boat. He will make the drinks for sailing on your boat!!!

His info is:
Jeff Rutledge
jeffrey.rutledge@gmail.com
(404) 931 1669

I searched rebedding, water etc. However, I don't know the proper nomenclature for that place you add drinking water through the deck. Has anyone rebedded that? If so, how was that accomplished? Thanks in advance!

OK, I searched before I asked. Is gelcoat compatible with the West System epoxy? I've heard that some epoxies won't allow gelcoat to adhere to them.

I have an animal control problem... I called the Animal control office about dog removal and they had no clue. So, I pose it to you...
I'm replacing the Lewmar opening port hatch dog o-rings. How do I remove the hatch dogs? I tried the Lewmar site etc. Many thanks in advance for your insight.

We have noticed that after "flushing" our head, it will gurgle and bubble. Then we have to pump what just gurgled and bubbled back out. Is this normal? If not, what is the possible problem. Yep, it's a Jabsco too.

I have a problem with my tach. When I first start the motor, it registers (most of the time) idle speed. However, when I increase power, the tach stays at idle or slowly moves up. Then, suddenly, it returns to normal function bot at power addition or taking power off. Could this be a tach cable problem?

I've developed a leak around one of my opening port hatch dogs. How difficult are the O-rings to replace and are there any steps I need to be watchful for?

I've been searching the forum archives and have yet to find the picture of the C-34 Mk I that had the two small swim platforms. One was on each side of the swim ladder. Thanks in advance!

Fleet 13 will be hosting its 3rd Flotilla beginning June 3rd and culminating in a Rum Tasting on June 5th. For more info contact Lance Jones (aka Cap'n Jonesy)

I know we just went through this. However, I couldn't find the post. How do you reef the continuous line furler? I tried letting it all the way out, then rolling it until it was the right length. However, when I went to sail, it still pulled out to full length.

ps. I did tie the continuous line off after reefing.

No, I don't mean sunglasses!

As many of the members here have found, solutions to our boat problems often can be found at your local RV store.

The Admiral and I were looking for a good solution to provide shade/privacy for our opening ports. We went to Camping World and found our solution. With a membership, the solution cost less than $10 per shade and took about 15 minutes per shade.

Step 1. Mark mounting holes.
Step 2. Drill pilot holes.
Step 3. Mount shade.
Step 4. Enjoy!!!!!

Ok, slap me silly and call me Susan; but, I keep seeing posts with x number of hours on the engine. As a pilot, I'm use to that as there is a HOB Meter on the instrument panel. However, there is no such device on any of the instruments on Kitty's Cat. Can someone PLEASE point me in the correct direction.

I have a sheet of each. What is the preferred method of cutting them?

I've finally finished refinishing my teak eyebrow strips that I received from Garry. 1) Which way does the splice go? Is it swept forward or aft? 2) Do you cover splice with a strip of fiberglass and epoxy before or after putting it on?

Thanks for any input.

Cheers!

I have a quick question. The interior (Hull side) of the aft berth in the Mk I, is that the actual hull or a liner?

I'm getting ready to mount my Garmin 431 Mini Chart Plotter on my binnacle. What is the best way to route the wires for this? I'm planning on just drilling a hole in the binnacle and dropping them down into the aft cabin where I have my power source.