Messages

oldcatsailor - thanks for the perspective...I should have added he did not swap out the cutlass bearing - only replaced the shaft.

Hi - a mechanic swapped out my prop shaft a few years back and only today sent me an invoice...the charge for parts seems very reasonable - but labour seems WAY out of whack at $2,700 CDN.  I've never used this guy before - so don't know his hourly rate, but at $80/hour (for sake of argument) that is 34 hours - nearly a full-time job for a week.  I have no clue the amount of work needed for such a procedure, but seems double what I was expecting.  I wanted to see if anyone on this forum had an idea of the amount of work required to replace a shaft.  If it sounds reasonable I'm fine - but if it sounds way to big, then I'll challenge him on the amount of labour.  Any input would be appreciated.  thanks in advance.

I have a friend (with a Cat 36) that removed his forward water tank and installed the AC there - not sure if the unit you are looking at would fit there - but might be an alternative if the hanging locker does not fit....just a thought.

Sundowner III (Cat 34 Mk II, Hull 1494, year 2000) chatters A LOT when in idle forward...speed it up a bit and goes away.  Neutral is fine.  Not 100% sure at what RPM the chatter goes away since I think my tach is off.  She's put away for the winter now, but I plan to check the accuracy with a laser tachometer in the spring.

Does this sound like what others are describing?

"Then just connect the two HW fresh water hoses together and then blow out the heater itself!!"

This is what I've been doing for years - works great!

Another possibility - the grab rail on the deck is bolted thru the deck into the cabin.  There is one bolt in the head.  In my case - the bolt over the nav stations was leaking.  I backed them off and sealed under the grab rail on the outside with some 4200.  Do you think its possible that water is coming thru that bolt and travelling inside the head cabin to the shelf?

If you still have not identified the source of the leak, one thing I have done in the past is put a line of paper towel around the top rim of the bilge - eventually it will become damp in one place - at least it points you in the direction of the leak...and if it does not get damp then its coming from somewhere lower in the boat (i.e. keel boats, thru hull etc).  Its helped me locate leaks in my fresh water system.  Hope it helps.

Ron - it absolutely was part of a cotter pin.  It was the bottom half of one side (the bit shown in red in the diagram).  From the top the 'eye' of the pin looked fine.  At the bottom of the gooseneck only one of the two tails was there - the other half I found on the deck.

Jim - I don't have any at hand - but could snap a couple of pix next time I am in the loft where they currently are stored.

All - I've got a Cat 34 Mk II (built 2000).  When I bought it back in 2013 the PO had a full cockpit enclosure.  Last year I had a new dodger and bimini made and the enclosure does not fit quite right - it needs to be modified a wee bit.  My wife and I rarely used it (not even once a year) and its just in the way storing it on the boat.

Does anyone want it?  Its in "like new" condition.  Its Captain Navy Blue in colour.  If anyone wants it let me know - its free - you just pay the shipping.  Let me know.

Nope.  It was part of a sheared cotter pin which held the boom to the gooseneck.

{edited}

is your temp gauge accurate (check w/ laser temp gun)
Is there a blockage downstream of the pump (which pump do you have?)  Pull Hx end plates and check the seawater injection wye above the muffler.
check for a good strong flow coming off the seawater pump- and downsteam into the muffler.
What temp TStat?  Should be 160F for saltwater (can be 180F for freshwater. )

I think my tach is off and just got a laser tach...I'm not sure if temp gauge is accurate...if I had a laser temp gun, where specifically would I check to see if my temp is accurate.
(BTW - I don't get steam - just wondering my gauges are accurate).

Thanks Dave!  May pull it one of these years and do the same.  Just wondering if anyone recommends regular inspection.

I'm in hull 1494 (2000).  I've never cleaned the fuel tank - not sure if the PO ever did.  I'm careful about putting in clean fuel (I've got a funnel with a filter).  My Racor does not indicate any sediment.  I don't think I am having any issues...engine is running fine (980 hours).  Nonetheless, is cleaning/inspection something that should be done periodically?

Thanks Ken - good suggestion on the rigging tape...