Messages

Thanks Stu, that helped.

I have never pulled the mast but am assuming that the water is getting into the mast step through the bolt holes that secure the bracket for the mast on top of the mast step. Based on the info in your link I am trusting that there is no wood in the mast step to rot which is comforting.

Thanks again.

Garth

Thanks Patrice. It has been on there a while but I think it got lost......generally my luck with technology.

I appreciate all answers and advice though.

Cheers,

Garth

Thanks for posting the photo Mike. Now I won't feel guilty when I forget to take a picture on the weekend!!

I've got the Zarcors on my '89 and they don't get in the way at all. They have presented no issues with tacking or docking, and aren't in the way when lifting the stern locker lid. If anything they were a great add and have become the favourite seats on the boat, as well as a table when I am bbqing on the transom - multipurpose! I don't have a photo handy or I'd post one. If I remember on the weekend, I'll take a couple of photos and post them.

Cheers,

Garth

The zarcor ones are awesome. We have them on our 89. Fit perfectly and easily removeable if needed. I think they were about $250 for a pair. Check zarcor.com.

Cheers,

Garth

I learn a new term every day. You got me with limber holes.

"A limber hole is a drain hole through a frame in a boat designed to prevent water from accumulating against one side of the frame. Limber holes are common in the bilges of wooden boats. The term may be extended to cover drain holes in floors."

Cheers,
garth

Thank you for posting the photo Ralph. Worth a thousand words!!! I can see exactly what you're talking about now.

Cheers,

Garth

Hi Ralph,

I'm interested in what you have done with the Schaefer 504-30 2 Over 2. Could you please post a photo.

Cheers,

garth

Thanks Ken. Thanks Ralph.

Hi - I posted a question earlier today regarding the keel step. It initially showed up in the normal list of topics. But when I returned to the message board it is now at the top (with a push pin) with the group of bolded messages at the top of the board that are permanent. What did I do wrong? Or did someone move it - and why? Help???????

And I count on the incredible knowledge shared on this board - yet no one has commented on my mast step question.

Cheers,

Garth

Weird impeller problem solved!!!!!

I had a mechanic by the boat on Friday and he was stumped initially as well but he figured it out.

The impeller must have been in the pump for a while and had worn very slight grooves in the cam. This prevented a tight seal and a prime with the blades of a new impeller. He removed the cam and smoothed the surface at his shop.

I didn't know what a cam was on Friday morning but I do now. It is the part of the pump that causes the impeller blades to bend before they hit the intake. And it is removeable which I also learned on Friday.

The good news is that the mystery is solved and there is lots of water pumping through.

Cheers,

Garth

Hi All,

Any help would be appreciated. I have included a photo of my keel step. There are two holes in the keel step. One connects this section of the bilge to the section of the bilge in front of the mast - this is the larger white hole at the base of the keel step. What is the second hole - it is a bit higher up to port? It was plugged with some sealant, which came out recently and fresh water drained out. Is this a drain for the keel step? And, if so,  where did the water come from? Is there a hole under the mast that drains into the keel step? Or did it fill when the bilges filled up above the hole with rain water that seeped out of the mast? I am assuming the latter.

What is the keel step made of under the fibreglass stringer? Poking at it, if feels like a type of cement or mortar. 

My concerns are related to water and rot, so I am trying to understand where the water is coming from and what the keel step is constructed of. Per some earlier notes on the message board, it sounds like it used to be wood but that Catalina stopped using wood before my boat year. My 34 is a 1989, #964.

Thanks all,

Garth

Thanks all. Stay tuned and I will provide an update, but it will be a couple of weekends because we're heading skiing for a week this friday.

Cheers,

Garth

Thanks Stu. That will be my next check - good idea!

Cheers,

Garth

Hi Ron - thank you for the suggestion (which makes sense) but the key is properly in place.

Hi Paul - I have checked them carefully and the part no. is the correct part no. But I will pull the old one out and do it again. I was also thinking of ordering one of the Globe impellers and trying it - I figure it can't hurt. Next step will be a diesel mechanic, but as I mentioned they don't believe me.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Cheers,

Garth

The key is properly in place.