Messages

How are your batteries?  I have no additional fuse in mine, but just wondered if you had checked voltage at the unit?

Thanks, Ken.  I went to the website and had the same problem when I tried to get to the catalog through the link on the left.  But, when I used the catalog drop down link and clicked on interior lighting, it worked.  I think I will try to contact them tomorrow and see if I can pick up four new diffusers.

Anyone know who the manufacturer was for the saloon cabin lights in 1994 era boats? The round plastic covers on mine are total goners.

We were coming back to San Francisco from Hawaii on our 34 and our Autohelm broke one day out.  We were heading pretty much due north on a beat.  We found with the boat well trimmed and the wheel lock partially tightened, she would sail herself with only minor tweaks occasionally.  We did 1,000 miles north this way.  Didn't work once we flopped over and headed east and were on a broad reach, but hard on it was great!

Hi Bruce,

I lived aboard my '94 C34 for five years, three of them with my son as he went through the last three years of high school.  Things were somewhat tight, but I really enjoyed it.  I made several storage modifications, such as closing in under the nav station for another cabinet.  I ordered the boat new with a large Freedom inverter charger and that was great.  I would definitely advise caulking around the base of the toilet if you plan on showering aboard as the bolts go through into plywood under the covering glass and the area can begin to rot out.  I had that problem, though the loose toilet didn't show up until halfway to Hawaii - ooops!

The boat has many bins and with a little thought, closed plastic storage bins, and a slimmed down wardrobe, its not only doable, but quite pleasant.  Loved the look at night with candles lit and soft music on.  I remember one night when I was a bit lit and sending good thoughts to Butler and Douglas about how much I appreciated living in such a beautiful space - nearly a piece of art I thought at the time.  Goes to show how too much wine can get you maudlin

We have a dripless shaftlog added a couple of years ago.  Completely dry bilge and much less condensation in the boat in the fall and winter (San Francisco area so no winterizing).  One of the best additions to the boat.

One addition I really found helpful for single handling and have used even when we have had lots of crew, is double preventers made out of vangs.  I use two four part tackle vangs and attach them with a sacrificial loop of line tied to a bale on the boom.  The vang is attached to this and two fittings mounted near the toe rail on each side of the boat.  The lines are led back to cam cleats mounted on the outside of the coaming on each side of the boat.  They can be easily controlled from the cockpit and make a great way to jibe without worries.  Also help in flattening the sail of you need to pull the main down more when it is out a bit.  We also run jacklines and have attachment points for harnesses in the cockpit as well.  I would expect that falling overboard while singlehandling would not be fun!

I've had four golf carts on a epoxied wood shelf bolted into the original battery box in my 1994 C34 for 10 years.  I also added another battery for engine start by building a box on the starboard side near the water tank.  I've changed the batteries only once since then.  Did a trip to Hawaii with two weeks out and only motoring to chage since it was a race and three weeks back.  Only needed to run the motor every three days to keep the fridge happy.  We played lots of tunes, ran the SSB and weather fax, and generally wasted electricity through the whole trip.  IMHO golf cart batteries are great.  They are light and easy to swap out when you want to and are very cheap to buy at various locations.  I also run a higher output alternator that was a bolt on replacement with a smart charger.  Also have a big freedom inverter so the blender doesn't have to be 12 volt.

In my estimation, the 1990 with the "molded in" steps is the best of both worlds!!  You have the steps, but didn't loose the center space for storage.  The walk thru cut that center space in half and leaves a smaller storage on each side.   

The walk through on my '94 certainly does make for smaller storage space and, with the adler barber compressor in there it also limits it.  However, we were pooped big time with a wave coming back to San Francisco from Hawaii and having the open transom was great.  Had to grab cushions, but the water just flowed out immediately.  The pooping was actually from the side as we were on a beam reach in big seas with 45 knot winds at the time about 300 miles from San Francisco and headed due west.  Actually, on that trip we just used the lazarette for plastic water bottle storage after we finished drinking each bottle since they can't be thrown overboard.  Figured they were light and wouldn't mess the compressor up.  Was a bit of a hassle getting the last few out, but gave us a good out of the way place to throw them!

Haven't crossed the Atlantic, but sailed San Francisco to Hawaii in 98 PacCup and back in my 1994 C34.  Logged a good 4700 miles on the trip.  That was the windiest Pacific Cup they had had to date and the boat suffered no problems.  I would suggest looking at ocean racing category 2 (think that was it) requirements as there were some safety things that were good to do including having an emergency rudder (several boats that year lost there rudders, but not ours).  The boat is a moderate displacement boat, not a lightweight and my impression is that she will stand up to pretty much what's thrown at her.  We had several days going out and several closing on the west coast where we were experiencing 45 knot winds with gusts above both hard on (leaving) and on the beam (returning).  Was a pain, but exhilerating and the boat did very well.

Tom, thanks.  I'll give burping a try!  I know it worked on my kids when they were many years younger.

Hi Ray,

Last year I bought my 94 34 back from the guy I sold it to in 1999.  He kept it in great shape and updated lots of stuff including all the canvas.  Great deal!  Anyway, he also put a PSS dripless stuffing box on which I like a lot.  However, after running at higher rpm for awhile I also got a terrible noise.  Dropped the rpm and it stopped.  Ran the boat back to higher rpm and it was fine for awhile, but then began again.  I was quite worried and checked everything, but couldn't find any problems with shaft, alignment, transmission, etc. and thought it probably involved the shaft seal.  Now, with your post, I understand what is happening.  Thanks!  Any specifics on how to go about the "burping"?  I presume, simply loosen the seal to allow a bit of water to flow through and then retighten.  Is that correct?

Gary

Send 'em my way.  I love my 1994 34, but $150,000...

I use webbing and simply run it from cleat to cleat outside the shrouds.  Running inside makes it hard to move all the way forward without unclipping.  Important at times, especially when flying a spinnaker at night.  No loops - easier to tighten as they loosen when wet (which if they are flat nylon they will do) if you just tie them on the cleat as you would a line.  I also run a webbing line from an eye installed under the companionway to one just before the pedestal.  This way several can clip on at night in rough weather while in the cockpit.  We used this rig on a San Francisco to Hawaii race and family "cruise" return trip.  Worked well and was cheap!