Messages

Since it looks like you're in San Diego, I would recommend getting a quote from Luis at LG Sails. He has a good understanding of how to maximize performance. He made my genoa and we have done well in the races with it. He made a vertically battened furling main for a friend's Beneteau as well, so he will probably have a good understanding of the trade-offs for your sail too.

-Eric

Like Noah said the compressor in your isotherm unit is smaller and isn't designed to cool an ice box as large as ours. Defender has an array of options from Adler Barbour and Isotherm: https://defender.com/en_us/conversion-systems The properly sized isotherm system is significantly cheaper at ~$1150. One of the guys on the Catalina 34 Facebook group recently installed that himself and posted about it.

I have replaced the bulbs with LED, but the reason I asked about replacements is because one of the shades has broken and others are partially melted/deformed in places from bulb heat from before the LED switch and before I bought the boat.

Looking to replace the cabin lights in the V and aft berths in my 1988. What have people used and have they been durable for you?

Chuck,

Here is a photo of some "Window Sticks" that Ron mentioned. Looks like my PO probably made them out of 1" PVC and some rubber chair leg caps.

-Eric

FWIW, in addition to SD, there are also flare collection events all over California on different dates. 

I am not based in LA, but a quick internet search found this group: https://www.catalinasmbay.org/ It's probably the fleet Stu was talking about. 

Mine failed about a year ago.  I found a control module online for around $90, but my compressor was shot, so I replaced the whole cold machine which was around $1100 and added up to $2000 something once you added paying someone to install it.  I bought a control module first and attempted to replace it myself, but it did not solve the issue, so I can't verify the source.  See if you can find a model number on your controller.  You can search for "101n0210 danfoss" which I think was the one mine had, but it was discontinued and I think you would have to try a later model which may be the "101n0212" but I am not 100% sure. 

Anyway, I hope that helps. 

-Eric

FWIW, I had a similar idea about WD-40 and doing that made my pedestal go from hard to impossible, so I don't recommend it. In the catalina direct listing it warns about not using lubricant and I think I read it somewhere else too after I already had used it, but it was a while ago. I hardly ever lower the table, so I have just lived with it since. I did find a system that looks very similar to the Zwaardvis pedestal on my 88 and very well could be manufactured by Zwaardvis here: https://tacomarine.com/triton-2-stage-adjustable-table-pedestal-system

-Eric

I am reviving this topic because I believe I am going to need to replace my sink and the Catalina direct price is now up to $670.  I am looking at this sink
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/vollrath-102-1-2-17-x-25-2-compartment-20-gauge-stainless-steel-drop-in-sink-10-deep/922102-1-2.html instead.  One could google Vollrath 102-1-2 to find other similarly priced sources for that sink.  Anyone have any recommendations on sourcing a replacement sink? I am also interested in any faucet model recommendations because I will have to replace that as well. 

Thanks,
Eric

The PO installed the Schaefer boom furling system on my 1988. That, combined with the electric winch he also installed, makes raising and lowering the main a breeze. I have owned the boat for 10 years and haven't had any issues with the furling system. I don't reef very often, but you have a lot more flexibility there. Performance doesn't take a huge hit because you can still have a fully battened main. You do lose some ability to adjust your main sail. No outhaul, or cunningham, extra weight in the boom, so you will need to upgrade your vang as well. I think it might extend the life of the mainsail as it's really well protected when furled. I have heard they are quite expensive, though.

https://www.schaefermarine.com/our-products/boom-furlers/

I have some photos of the blocks installed on my 88. They were originally installed by the previous owner and he used 2" high wood backing, but I replaced the turning blocks he used with new Garhauer blocks recently. I don't know any of the rationale for his choices in how he set it up, but it seems to work fine.

I used Whyte Cap Canvas Works in San Diego to replace a couple of pieces of canvas that had worn out recently. Peter did a good job for me and I feel like the price was fair. My dodger is about to wear out and, when I decide to replace it, I plan to get multiple estimates to compare prices, but I will definitely get an estimate from him.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/whyte-cap-canvas-works-san-diego-2

Hello Sailors,

The guard arm on my Hood Seafurl broke off on my 1988 and I lost my furling line guard. It still furls and unfurls fine, but some of the furling line will always escape from the drum during a sail and so someone needs to go up to the bow and make sure the line is in the furler drum before furling the genoa. I would like to try to fix it since the basic furling mechanism still works. I emailed Hood to see if they had any replacement parts and they said no and that the company that did the tooling for those parts went bankrupt in 1994. So, any advice or creative ideas from the wise sailors on here? Or any old Hood Seafurls lying around that were replaced?

Thanks,
Eric

Ken,

FWIW, the link below is the alternator I have on my boat as I was considering buying a new one recently. Instead, I had it rebuilt because the housing had cracked due to too much vibration on the bolt through the mounting bracket. The electrical was fine. I bought a replacement housing online and a better bolt to limit vibration that I found in a post on c34.org somewhere. I didn't have the tools to do the alternator rebuild on my own. So I found a local alternator shop, that did the repair for much cheaper than a new alternator. Could be an option for you too.

Part No: 8MR2198L
http://www.prestolite.com/pgs_products/specs.php?pf=true&item_detail_id=26470&item=8MR2198L&product=ALTERNATOR