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Our boat is an '88 34MKII, sail #808 we've had it for almost a year now.  We weren't sure if the fuel gauge worked or not as it has shown F since we bought her but we've never had a good way to check.  We used her a good bit last year and in early Feb. decided to top off the fuel and see how much we put in.  We MAY have put in a couple gallons but she must have been right at full.  Had a little spill off at the pump but we were now confident that it was a full tank. 

At times there has been a mild fuel aroma that I thought also could have been the air freshener we were using mixing with the regular boat smells but I've never been too sure.  I came to the boat today and decided I definitely smelled something so I popped open the bilge to check.  It was at it's typical amount of liquid but the tampons were WELL used and so I decided to vacuum it out and see what was what.  This is what it looks like.  I took these pics after it has settled a while.  I don't see an unusual amount of oil separating but I also don't know why it is so muddy looking.  There is some separation and I syphoned a bit of that area out.  It is clear and looks like that might be fuel (half moon outer ringin the shallow pail pic - kinda hard to see in pic) but as you can see it is more in the middle of the pack of separation. 

I'm just looking for some confidence in identifying what I've got here.  Is it fuel?  Is the oil just so mixed that it isn't looking separate from the water and making it look muddy?  Is there some transmission fluid here or something else I haven't thought about?  Any wisdom is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Well, I've read all that I can find via search (lots of broken or unworking links, btw).  Mostly the info I found was on the Beckson ports.  I'm sure I missed some so apologies for yet another portlight thread but what can I say....I tried. 

All my '88 C34 MKI Lewmar portlights leak.  Some dribble in heavy rain, some leak on sunny days.  They're all crazed and missing the outer cosmetic frames and look yucky so I want to replace them.  Unless I'm wrong, they are the old style (photo attached). 

Unless anyone has better option suggestions, I was going with this:  https://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/2448_380/opening-port-lewmar-7-12-x-14-716.cfm

I've read somewhere that there's a known leak design defect with Lewmar ports but I cannot find information on that anymore and don't know if these are the ones talked about and if that has been corrected.  Can anyone share any wisdom about these as replacements? Any how-to vids that are Cat34 specific would be too sweet. 

I plan to use Butyl tape and Dow 795 as sealant/adhesives.   

I'm switching standard lights to LEDs in my '88 Cat34 and when unscrewing the port side light closest to the Vbearth (under portlight and chainplates), several ounces of water began pouring out.   Its leaked on that side sinceWould you suspect a portlight leak into the body or a chainplate?  Photo attached if it helps.

I searched but couldn't find anything.  To remove the teak under the table, do I simply unscrew the pedestal base?  I don't want to begin something and get into a quagmire of something I didn't know about beforehand.  Thanks. :)

So TS Cindy blew through to west and caused a ton of rain in my area.  My boat, which only had 3 minor leaks under normal conditions, showed her true colors and leaked from about every port light, hatch, and even some other areas that causes me concern. 

The water in the bucket under the port v-berth port light had these in it.  That's a scuba mask case they're in so they're incredibly small, unbroken, a bit firm but still squishy.  If seals, I would've thought they'd be broken or dry-rotted. 

*sigh* As a new boat owner way out of my depth, I'm starting to get a little more than discouraged..... 

1.  If you read my other thread RE: non-working AC unit, you'll know it's blowing but the compressor isn't staying on but shutting off after 30 secs. or so.  Things to check were closed seacock, clogged filter, and lack of system prime.  I've narrowed that down to system prime as I see water in the filter but no flow.    How do I restore prime to see if this fixes it or moves me on to some other issue?  I also have found it impossible to identify the exit flow.  I can see the water out of the AC and the hose is routed somewhere toward port under the nav desk (the AC unit is in the nav desk storage closet) but that's where I lose it and cannot see it coming to any other door/hull hatch.  So I lose where it goes off the system - and I've looked high and low and very frustrated. 

2.  The fuel gauge shows full.  Any tips to verify this is correct?  Long story short, for a few simple reasons she can't be sailed right now so I can't simply go to top it off. 

3.  Same sort of ? RE: holding tank but there isn't a gauge or meter and the tank level can't be verified by sight.  Any way to check it's level without just playing the waiting game of topping it off and all which that could mean? 

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Remembered I took some photos of the AC if it helps.....AC 2 is WATER IN, AC is WATER OUT

Hi all.  I'm a new owner and new sailor.  I'll say in advance (of all my posts) my apologies as I'm so green, I'm blue.  We are looking to liveaboard beginning July 1stish.  My boat is an '88 and is in great shape with only the expected 30 y/o boat issues.  Here are some I'm dealing with now to which I would appreciate any further wisdom anyone could provide.

1.  Sea Breeze AC runs but compressor shuts down after about 30 secs. of cooling.  AC folks are coming to sort that.  Surveyor recommended a separate shore power service dedicated for the AC.  This doesn't sound too DIY and I am electrically-challenged.  Is this a typical set-up or a meticulous survey note? 

2.  Seawater foot pump in the galley leaks as does the sink drain - so much so that having gone undiscovered, the drawer below the sink has fallen apart.  We've decided to pull out and replace the counter top and refit all the plumbing with the quick-drain, improved plumbing recommendations from the forum (thank y'all for all the excellent foreknowledge and how-to's).  It seems not only do I have a seawater pump for pre-rinse but also an installed similar pump for the fridge water, rather than it being an either or.  I "think" I know all of the plumb routing but I don't want to go unfitting stuff without being absolutely sure.  Does anyone have a schematic or diagram of plumbing flow or does this vary greatly from boat to boat?  I have some photos I could post but my pride tells me this ought to be obvious to me and I hesitate.  The other part of me sees me pulling on some valve or hose and water gushing in and wishing I'd have asked to be sure, so.....I'll post for what it's worth.  The file names are my guesses.  Don't judge. :)

3.  Batteries are boiling off water and I have to top off occasionally.  Apparently the charger is overdoing its job.  Is this typical and is a charger repair worth it or should I just buy a new charger?

I'm sure as I go along I'll have others but that is the pressing stuff for now.  Thanks so much for any reply!