Messages

Update:
After five days on the hard, no water drained out of the skag, so I decided the leak was not coming through from the strut, which is lower then the trapped water in the skag. So, I believe the water is coming through the rudder shaft housing. My rudder is out, and in looking up the hole I see an inserted bushing or bearing if you prefer, and although most of it is sealed at the bottom with some kind of filler, there is a crack showing around one side. I called Catalina, and was told that there was no bushing in the original hull. It has been added, probably as a result of the original fiberglass housing wearing with age. So, I have glassed in the ground out strut area, and sealed the bottom of the rudder bushing with Sikaflex 291. After I am back in the water (perhaps next Wednesday), I will let you know if I am still slowly sinking or have solved the problem. One problem I do not have is ice. Just one reason I sail in Mexico.

I just launched my 1986 hull after7 months on the hard, and it started leaking. It was coming in through a thin skin over a hollow section just forward of the rudder shaft housing. I put the boat back on the hard, and found a little soft spot at the base of the prop shaft strut. I started digging and found a whole area of water penetrated filler around the strut, but it is really outside the hull itself, and perhaps too far forward of the hollow area to be leaking into it. Any ideas or past experence?

Can anyone tell me the measurements to make fitted sheets for a 1986, or where to buy them already made up?

Does anyone have measurements for making fitted sheets for the v-birth on early models. Or, the name of a place to buy them pre-made?
Thanks

I spent the winter in the Sea of Cortez, much of which I was swinging on the hook at the mercy of the changing winds. I have three solar panels. One large one mounted flat and un-adjustable on the dodger. One is on a T pole mounted on the stern pulpit, and can be pointed any direction and degree of angle on the horizontal axis. A third is a soft one that I hang from the lazy jack lines over the boom. Many days I interrupted my busy schedule of focused inactivity (several times) to adjust the boom for best angle on the boom panel, and take the shadow off the panel on the dodger. Then I would swivel the stern pulpit panel to face about an hour ahead of the suns path. This all worked very well as long as I was there to make these adjustments. If leaving the boat I set for the best average for expected wind direction that day. If I was starting from scratch, I would mount two panels on a T post on the stern pulpit. It's the best location to stay out of shadows, and easy to adjust if you want.

Thanks Ron, that sure answered that question. Maybe this winter I will have time to learn how to use the tech notes without spending half a day trying to find what I'm looking for. Meantime, this is really helpful.

Wow, thanks to you all for your responses, and especally to you Jeff. Going to the boat with the tape was behond the call. I need to study it all again and make sure I get all the fittings I need. I will definitly order the aussie hose. I already have the macerator pump on the way. Several things suggested I would not have thought of, and I will use them all. So, in the "end" I should be able to relieve myself.  Now if I just knew how to sail the darn thing. Any advice? 

I bought hull #203 in Mexico last winter. The former owner had removed the holding tank, pump, and most of the plumbing. I have a new tank, and the diagram of the origonial plumbing, but I have nothing That shows  the sizes and lengths of the hoses. Does anyone have that data handy?

Thanks, Bruce (Bugsy) Landolt
EZYDUZIT