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Not sure where you are with this process - my husband just replaced our cutlass bearing (he is a surveyor and marine mechanic) -a friend milled (?) a gizmo to remove the bearing.  I obviously no nothing!  If you want more info - richardwdexter@yahoo.com.  Was a pretty quick job-realigned the shaft, too - sooooo much less vibration.

I am looking for ideas to mkae the V berth more comfy.  I have tried a 4" memory foam on top of the cushions - too hot and squishy.  Tried a couple of layers of egg crate on top - not great. Now have the memory foam under the cushions, but that doesn't seem to work either.  I REALLY don't want to invest in innerspring, but if I must ...Any other less expensive ideas?  Who make a good innerspring?

We have had a Schipperke on our boats for 20 years - they do shed, but other than that they are terrific boat dogs.  Clever, adaptable and always up for some fun.  Also they have little oil in their fur, thus they don't smell when wet.  Last year we had to interrupt our 3 week cruise to take Hoover, our 15 year old Schip home - to much stress for him (my veterinarian daughter said with disgust - Mom, it is like sailing with a hundred year old person!!) so this year he stayed home.  Actually, I think it was lack of sleep due to our 8 month old Schip on board that caused the stress.  We also have a 14 year old Jack Russell who is great on board - but beware, he is not the usual Jack - he has always been sensible and fun.  Whatever breed you choose, buy from a good breeder and explain the kind of dog you need.  We bought our young Schip from Safari Schipperkes in Ft Worth - sight unseen, (we are in CT) and he is as terrific a boat dog as our others were.  Here is a typical Schipperke story: they are serious about their duty as captain - they rarely sleep when underway -   One Sept. night we left for Block Island about 10 pm.  Once we got thru Watch Hill Passage, the Jack Russell and I went below and curled up under a wool blanket.  My husband and Hoover were left with only the pedestal cover for warmth.  Hoover refused the protection and sat stalwartly by the wheel intil we picked up the mooring. 
I am a nut about wanting the boat clean, but our Schips and Jack Russell have been so wonderful that I don't begrudge the extra vaccuuming and washdowns! 

Thank you all - just got back from Block Island-planned to go to Nantucket, but elderly dog issues and family visits to the boat meant we needed to be near the fast ferry. MOSTLY remembered to turn off the gas switch, but, I am looking forward to replacing that lighted switch! 

The toggle on the electrical panel that turns propane off/on is not lighting - however the switch does work.  Catalina 34-1989.  Any ideas?  I found a parts listing for an orange one, but ours is red. Thanks.   Kate

We just bought an 89 C34 in April - our major upgrade this year was a solar panel mounted on "faux" davits.  We had davits on our P33 and mounted the panel there.  My husband didn't like the stress of the dinghy on the stern of the boat, so for the C34 he designed the faux ones for the solar panel.  Works great - also mounted the GPS antenna there.

My husband will be 60 this year, I will be 55.  Yikes!!! We hope to have many more years of sailing.  My father sailed until he was 84 and Parkinson's just made it impossible.  We have a dear friend who is 86 this year - first year he has not single-handed to Block Island from Stonington.  He will, however, sail out accompanied by a land lubber with sharp eyes and strong arms!  We think the trick is to have a relatively stable boat, with all lines running to the cockpit. Lazy jacks are a must - I am not fond of clambering around on the deck, dousing the main when it is blowing stink.  However, I am shorter (lower center of gravity) and more nimble than my husband - plus I have more faith in him retrieving me than the other way round!  With the lazy jacks, just drop it down until we get into calmer waters.  As you say, sailing with only the genoa is better than no sailing at all!  I plan to ride horses and sail well into my 80's.  A gentleman who trained saddlebreds for eons, rode a mule to the center of town on his 95th birthday!!!!  He would have sailed too!  Ibuprofen for the arthritis and you have years to sail!  K

We have a couple of chips in the gray, non-skid of our 1989.  My husband wants to spruce it up - Interlux doesn't seem match the gray.  Anyone know what the best match is?

We just put on 1 85 watt panel from Jack Rabbit Marine - ordered the panel, was here in 3 days.  We had davits on our P33 and mounted a solar panel there.  We just bought an 89 Catalina 34 - had "faux" davits (husband doesn't like the dinghy weight on the transom) made to mount panel.  Works great - sturdy mount, out of the way.  We love the oh, so quiet solar - even here in what has lately been cloudy, rainy New England, the panel kept fridge and lights going strong on our 17 day cruise.  I envy your tropical cruising!

Just returned from a 17 day cruise - well, several days were actually spent on a mooring at Block Island - our first trip on our 89 Catalina 34.  Had a huge fridge on our 33 Pearson, so took some planning to pack the Catalina's.  I bought white plastic baskets (I think Sterilite, but might have been Rubbbermaid).  One larger basket that sits on top rack, a smaller for bottom rack.  They worked well, although the large one was a bit tricky to remove, but not too bad.  Could actually snake my had down to reach the bottom basket and find the needed items using "Braille".  A quart of milk and soda or beer cans stacked fit well between the baskets and freezer box.  The freezer box is located on the aft end of the fridge - would have been more convenient at other end - oh well.  One thing I did this year was use some freezer packs (kind that come with Omaha Steaks) in a drink cooler.  Had two - froze one, used other in drink cooler, switched as necessary - worked pretty well. As I used up frozen food, I stuck a few drink cans in freezer for a bit before adding to drink cooler.  I also used a collapsible cooler for cantelope, apples, and other fresh fruits and veggies bought at home (cheaper!).  Put the left over hunk of ice when I bought a new block in fruit cooler and in drink cooler.  When fresh fruit is gone, fold up cooler for storage.  Then, as the cruise is waning, there is no fresh/frozen food left and plenty of space for drinks!!  I also used a block of ice to help reduce power consumption. My husband had "faux davits" made on which to mount an 85 watt solar panel.  Worked well.

Where do you store your wine bottles on an '89 Catalina 34?

http://www.canadianfleece.com/products.htm

Here's a web site that makes custom Canadian fleece sheets.  We use aerobeds - so we use a regular size sheet set.  I actually got mine from a CT person, who has since disappeared.  It would probably be worth your while to see if king size will work  - cheaper I am sure than custom.  I always use those sheet clips - that way you can get a good fit from any sheet that is large enough. The clips make anything fit, plus you don't have the sheets coming untucked and then you have to climb over everything to fix it!  the Canadian fleece isn't cheap, ours were $70 for a twin set) but every night I climbed into bed, chilly spring, hot, muggy summer, or cold fall, I was so glad we spent the $!  I think a queen might fit aft - the Vee is so wide, you may need king.  We just bought a Catalina 34 two weeks ago - had a Pearson 33.  If it will ever stop raining in CT, we'll get to enjoy it!!!  Can't wait!!!!!!

Yes, however it looks like you can't put the bimini down - is that so?  It gets cold up here - we often need the sun to keep us warm, so we want to beable to close up the bimini!

We want to put a Kyocera 85 watt solar panel on our boat. Was on the davits on our last boat.  Our Catalina 34 doesn't have davits, and my husband prefers not to install them - not crazy about the weight and stress on the stern.  Has anyone put on a simple arch that doesn't interfer with the bimini - or "faux" davits to just hold the solar panel?  Kate

You might want to try sheets made of Canadian fleece - we got them last year - never too hot or cold, and always feel dry - you never go to bed on a muggy night feeling like you are between two wet lettuce leaves!  One of the best comfort investments that we have made.  Kate