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A posting of Stu, evidenced by an easily posted picture, of a sailor appreciating the dedication of people moving their ships past the moments of man.  We who photograph would like to know the technical aspects of the camera used, light conditions, lens information and if Stu found the picture previously posted in C34 Association boards or credited to any other project previously completed by C34 Association members?

And in addition did Stu give way to this craft or did they alter course to avoid having their picture taken at close range?

Merry Christmas to all!

Stu:

One of our great pleasures of sailing is night sky star gazing.  We visually track the space station, find out if our sailor friends know the stars/planets and debate, in layman's terms, Einsteins theories of the universe.  The Milky Way is spectacular from Stockton Lake!

And of course . . . the conversational point of why the moon looks larger as it rises?  Thanks for the post on the stars.

Joe and Carol
YachtaSea  244

I believe the capsize ratio measures ability of a vessel to withstand knockdown.  You can find the formula by research but the C34 appears to measure around or less than 2.0 which is marginal.  My thoughts are only in a microburst would one experience the valued design stability of the C34 in application of capsize ratio to seaworthiness.

Our lake can become crowded with sailboats and power boats seeming to give no clue to their constant course or right of way management.  We plan well in advance to give way to about everybody who seems determined to stress us by not altering course or following the rules.  Using the engine is always an option to lengthen distance between ships that "pass in the nightmare" of possible collision.  Sounds like you did the best and it worked.  A ship can well signal its intentions in overtake passing by making at least a ten or fifteen degree heading change.  As you mention, what the hey with these captains not adjusting their heading to enjoy the view of a passing sailboat under blossomed sails?  There is also merit to briefing crew of your decision way out of a mess early in the tangle rather than trying to figure out when or if another vessel is going to give way. Knowing what your plan is far outweighs trying to figure out  the other guys plan.  Best of sailing wishes.

Looking around Harbor Freight found a battery powered LED bicycle handlebar light that fits on the Bimini frame and spreads a perfect spotlight to aid folks coming and going on board in the dark. Mounted another one to spotlight helmsman location. Only $6.00 and they work great.

We had a boat load of guests both days sailing last weekend.  And as some of you may have experienced, someone broke off the ignition key.  No problem. . . with a handy knife blade, we could turn the switch on and off.  Upon return to dock we extracted the broken key part and, believe it or not, found the six replacement keys we had made when we purchased the sailboat.  My question:  Is it worth the trouble to replace the keyed ignition with a more user friendly toggle or other kind of switch?   We could extend a guard over the key and design a new key head, but have any of you fixed this problem in a special way?

We used the memory foam for three years.  Then, we had a mattress factory make a special firm bed mattress to fit our aft berth. Two piece about seven inches tall.  Now, we store the orginal pads and use the mattress. We were quite satisfied with the foam but are better pleased with the mattress! Thinking about having the same thing done for the vee berth.  Best of luck taking those wonderful on board naps.

It seems age of things and people present harder tasks where simple becomes complex and easy becomes more than just messing around.  My solace lies in no longer having "man fits" as projects turn, at first, more work than thought then more time and money consuming than planned.  This weekend, it was the bilge pump, looking as if it was pumping at volume, yet no bilge water exiting the boat. Checked out everything: float, pump, hose, cleaned bilge area, etc.  Sitting and laying on the floor working on the pump managed to hide tools and screws from myself, developed new communication skills shouting to wife watching stern for water, and found a couple of things surprisingly stored in bilge area.  Drove to three marina shops for replacement pump finding none in stock.  Now, thinking when  installing new pump if nothing blows out the back, just may have to have a "man fit."   Will up the pressure so I can spray power boater speeding by stern! At least, not dealing with the odor of your problem, I know you are content for the time being with the struggle you endured to fix the holding tank problem. And, like at lot of us, will wait a few days or weeks before opening another can of worms on the road to completing little become big projects while wife reads a book.

Our boat has very light lint fuzz stuck to the interior teak walls.  How do we remove this fuzz?  It isn't noticeable unless the sunlight shine directly on it.  It looks like sunbeam lint stuck to the teak.   I do not want to change the color and do not want to refinish.  Any suggestions appreciated.

A discussion with previous owners and a qualified survey should quite your curiosity. Some things could be stiff, stuck or brittle without being exercised.  I know of one C34 used for a floating cabin without mast installation and it's new owner tuned it into a sailing beauty.

The Universal Diesel is a good engine. Best of Luck! 

Walk about the marinas looking for baby boomer's couples having a smaller Catalina who might want to move up.  Offer a flyer or sale bill to folks and ask them for word of mouth reference to any of their friends who are thinking about moving up to a Catalina 34 size and quality yacht.  It might take you a few hours, but you will meet nice folks and spread the word of your selling in a personal way.  Just a thought.  My family, coming from a history of sales always wanted to know who was in the wings waiting for something to move on the market or be offered up at a perceived bargain.  And, word of mouth, such as these postings, may be the least expensive user friendly, advertising there is.  Good Luck.

Previous owners helped make our decision to purchase easy.  When we first had poccession and went below with cleaning materials, and this is the truth, we couldn't find anything to clean!

We installed the net for our dogs!  Whose picture you can see in the Fleet Four news of the coming June MainSheet issue. ( Spencer is the dark poodle and Sunny is the light poodle. ) Who seem to want to take their watch from all points on deck!  I like the net.  If you install one fix it so you you can tighten up points of sag and adjust the net easily.  Our job took quite some time to make it look fine around the bow spirit.  We did not take the net totally around the cockpit and stern.  Only brought it down the non boarding side of the boat stopping at the stern. If I did the job again, I would use a pilot line to affix the net bottom side to the lifelines / stanchions concentrating the botton of the net stretched tightly and having the top of the net laced short of the top lifeline.  You'll see what I mean if you this project DIY.  The net has weathered well cause we don't take it off in the winter.  Best of Luck!

P.S.  In the next MainSheet, all the dog members of Fleet Four are pictured with their crew!

Well, we can tell by the joy of your words you are truly settling well into your new Catalina.  Ours is a 1988 and we share your experiences ahead knowing you will enjoy sailing the Catalina and reading the posts and articles on this C34 message board.  Congratulations!

We are interested.  Our orginal furler continuious line needs replaced.  A good tome to consider conversion.