Messages

I recently pulled La Luna to show her to new owners when we discovered a 1/4 inch gap at the front of the keel.  A surveryor suggested we get a professional yard involved and they found the boat had been hit a few times in the keel. The repairer did a cover up job and the keel has been hanging improperly for about 10 years.  Now the keel is off and they have found stress fractures around the base of the grid and some delamination around the front of the first keel bolt. My surveryor did not see this nor did the surveryor of the previous owner who had the boat for 7 years. 

Big repair, not covered by insurance. Any advice on the strength of the grid and just how much I should be looking to add to strengthen the area.  Even some contacts at catalina might be useful.  So far, the price is 10K.  I will of course have to fix it right as I will not pass a problem on to a new owner. 

I passed on the previous emails about keeping the boat to my wife.  She is open to the idea but concerned about any future problems.  My view is the boat will be stronger after the repair than it ever was.  Has anyone out there had a bad grounding?  What was your experience with the repair.  In 30 Yrs of sailing, I have not damaged a boat like this one has seen.  The rest of the boat is very sound including a rebuilt deisel and new interor and plumbing.  The boat was at one time in charter (not known to me prior to purchase) so they revamped it prior to selling to the previous owner.   

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dan Kuhn
La Luna

Hi Folks,

I recently had the pleasure of pulling my fuel tank and having it repaired. When I took the tank off the boat I noticed that the port side lean decreased but did not go away.  I do have a small bar fridge under the nav table and a microwave on the Port Side in the area above the Nav table so no surprises.  I do remember reading about the lean but can anyone shed some light on where it comes from? 1) Without the fuel tank and with the holding tank empty, is there still a lean?  2) What is a normal lean and what would that look like on the water line?

I have La Luna for sale at the moment and so I am curious about this topic so prospective buyers can get the skinny.  I love the boat and it sails wonderfully, but alas, we have a one year old daughter and I will meet my son upon his arrival in May 06 and with two small children, well, life changes.  I will be back though as the C34 is truly a delight.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Dan Kuhn
La Luna (with a growing crew)

P.S.  I am looking for excuses to keep the sailboat, so you never know!   

[NO CONTEST]

Dan : I've got K50's on the front and K75's on the rear.  If I were you I'd go for K75's as I don't think Vetus will split a set of 4.  

On the Drippless packing - The Goretex is NO CONTEST over the West Marine green goop.  I'm one of the few people that have used both and the Goretex is SUPER, much easier to install and lasts longer.  

Thanks Ron,

When I go to the website for Vetus they indicate as priced "each"; are they normally supplied in sets??  In Vancouver CA I was quoted $100 ea, meaning $400 for the set.  If you know of a more reasonable vendor, I am all ears.  

As for the shaft packing, Gortex it is, I plan to quickly haul this fall, check the new paint, wash the hull and change the packing/zincs before putting her back in for the winter.  My goal is a winter dry bilge.  I plan to feed a tube from the base of the mast into a shower sump with a small pump to keep the rain at bay by pumping into the bilge line overboard.  I always wanted a dry bilge boat and I am amazed at the dryness of the C34.

I'm not too sure about the bottoming out that Dave mentions.
Vetus company recommends the K50 for the M25&35 Universal engines.  

As I previously mentioned I have K50s in the front and K75s in the rear.  Like Phil I have an extra set of 4 new K75s for $50.    

Hi Ron,

So far your advice has been right on the money, so here we go with the next project.  

Mom says the noise and vibration below are too much so off we go to the land of motor mounts to start.  I have a 1991 Mk 1 with the M35.  K75's or 50's? You probably sent your K75's off already but if not, I will take them.  Here in Canada they are a bit of a premium but worth it if Mom and 7mos old Sophia are happier.  My mechanic agrees with your assessment of keeping the rpms up . As the universal fellow in Vancouver he is keen to keep the RPMs up and says the engine will last longer if we simply switch in and our of neutral when docking (like the ferries do I guess).

My first step will be to replace the mounts but next will come the coupling.  I looked at the vetus flex coupling but it seems awfully long.  I have the other articles from Tech Notes etc, but I wondered if you replaced the coupling first, the mounts or both at the same time?  I will also be hauling to put the dripless stuff into the shaft.  Green Goop or Gortex, your preference or advice would be appreciated??

I realise this is a lot of questions but hey, I appreciate the forum allowing me to seek info so please bear with me.  I have done much to La Luna in the past year and the love affair continues with the C34.  Best boat in 30 years of sailing and I have raced and sailed quite a few.  

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.  

Daniel Kuhn
La Luna

Soon to Be  renamed Sophia (after our daughter)

Thank you all for your input. The plans are quite clear and I look forward to walking on to La Luna  through her new stern gate in Sept.

Daniel Kuhn
La Luna

I was reading with great interest a modification someone made to their stern rail which allowed them to pivot it to port or starboard and enter from the stern while at the dock.  Our daughter Sophia (6 months) loves the boat but mom is nervous getting on and off with the baby.  This would be a great solution, which would in turn allow me to put netting on all the stanchions/lifelines.  This would also benefit our Lab who loves the boat but makes me nervous with is adventurous spirit!

Can anyone steer me in the right direction.  I tried various searches and although I can remember most the article, I can't remember where I saw it.  

Daniel Kuhn
La Luna
"Sleepless Skipper"

I would just like to say thank you for all the help in my search for alternate filters.  Your response was both instant and very helpful.  As new C34 owners, I feel we made the right choice in our purchase with this website being a part of that decision.  I hope to contribute to the group as I upgrade La Luna into the future.

Daniel Kuhn
La Luna

Hi Folks

My wife and I are new C34 owners.  This site is great and has given me some great ideas which I have already implemented (microwave and bar fridge helps with being prepared for our new baby's needs).  On the other hand however, there is so much info I sometimes read something and later cannot find it.  In particular, I was reading an article or perhaps an update on different models of fuel and oil filters which were compatible with our Universal M35.  I do my own maintenance and I am always interested in alternatives to seeking out that illusive part (especially when in some far off port).  My engine is due for filter changes and I wonder if you might be able to direct me  through the labyrinth of information.  

Daniel
La Luna

P.S.  New Baby Sophia means I cannot spend hours looking for stuff anymore (or at least for a while).  Oh how life changes!!
Vancouver BC