Messages

Hi All, Just finished the installation of my new autopilot on our Mk 1.5 and adding the rudder sensor was the challenging aspect. Thanks to all the postings on that subject that guided me through this project. Like Robert, I wanted to avoid removing the water tank. To get the sensor position at the ideal 5.5inch position, I had to install a small interpose plate glued with thick epoxy. Getting this leveled was challenging and I use a Car jack sitting on top of the water tank to glue it up. All good with dock calibration completed. Sea trial this weekend.

Francois Pelletier, San Diego, CA
S/V Whitecaps
Mk 1.5 Hull #1292

welcome.... Great to see some Catalina 34s across the pound. I have also a MK 1.5 Hull #1292

Maybe a bit late to this tread. I bought an Obendorfer N 202M15 pump in March from online shop at $225 free shipping.

https://www.pumpsandpartsonline.com/shop/oberdorfer-pumps/rubber-impeller/rubberimpellerpumps

I called them prior to place the PO, and they claimed they had 10 in stock. They are located in St-Louis, MS. Received the product in approx. 1 week. All good. I installed it and replaced original Sherwood on my 1995 MK1.5 M35A. Easy using the procedure found on Cat34 org. Got the Gasket and spare rubber impeller from Catalina Direct.

Francois   

Noah

March is as good in San Diego. Saturday 15-20knots chilly but sunny. Averaged 6.2 knots over 4 hours . Made it to the Mexican boarder.

Francois
S/V Whitecaps

Ron,

Good point. My boat was weighted at 16000lbs at the Shelter Island Boat yard during the survey. This was full loaded (gas, water, dinghy engine, radar, tools, sail inventory, etc...). Assuming this is a bit more than 1000lbs... I can assume the total displacement near 15,000lbs. That would lower the capsize ratio below 2 but also lower the AVS.

Report from Shelter Island Boatyard during survey inspection:
Hailing Port: San Diego, CA
Beam: 11' 9" *
Weight: 16,000 lb. (travel lift's scale)
* listing specifications
Displacement: 11,950 lb. *

Francois
S/V Whitecaps
MK1.5 Hull 1292
San Diego

Hi Paul,

Thanks for sharing... I love those analysis. So much I did some WEB searching on the "Wolfson method" which was new to me. For those interested in more details the "Wolfson method" and its interpretation:

http://www.gerrmarine.com/Articles/StabilityPart2.pdf

I noted that the author suggest to measure the DCB at 1/8 beam off the center line. That according to them reduce the number by approx. 10% from the straight draft minus keel height number. Not sure if this rule of thumb applies to the CAT34, but using DCB at 1.6 vs 1.8 has a relatively significant impact reducing the AVS from 117 to 114. But what does it really mean? According to the article first graph... a knockdown with a vessel with an AVS of 120 would spent on average 2 minutes inverted. At AVS 114, it would take (again on average) near another 30seconds extra. Probably these 2 minutes would be the longest experienced by any sailor!

But, before being concerned about recovering from a knockdown, one should worried about not capsizing. Here there is the well known Cap Size ration [Beam/(disp/64)1/3]... and the Catalina 34 is doing ok at 2.06 where blue water vessels normally hit below the 2.0 mark. Many Beneteau's in the 35ft range are above 2.10 while at the other end of the spectrum Island Packets can hit near 1.8. This formula is again an approximation and getting the actual "stability curve" for the Catalina 34 would be more telling.

All in all, I agree with you that the Catalina 34 has great abilities in open ocean. Better than most Coastal Cruisers.

Francois
S/V Whitecaps
MK1.5 Hull 1292
San Diego

Hi Jeff,

This was reported by both the Engine Surveyor and the Marine Surveyor. Neither removed the insulation but they did find corrosion near the muffler. They might have pulled a bit the insulation at that end. But, both made it clear that this was a must do before using the engine for extended hours. so.. I essentially changed the Exhaust Riser, the heat exchanger and many cracked hoses. They engine has run smooth since.

Hi Alex,

Actually, I am in contact with the previous 2 owners. The last owner was essentially doing local sailing in San Diego for the past 7 years. But the owner prior to that bought the boat in San Francisco bay, did major upgrades and sailed to Mexico (Baja Ha Ha 2012) and Sea of Cortez before sailing back to San Diego. You read their blog on their sailing adventures at the link below.

http://pksadventures.blogspot.com/

Very useful for us as we are planning a similar trip in few years (yes lots of boat projects in between).

Francois

Congrats Alex. We have very similar boat. I have hull #1292 another MK 1.5 here in San Diego.

Francois
S/V Whitecaps

Hi Noah,  I anchored in Mission Bay (Mariners basin) on Aug. 22 with the same exact anchor without problems. I was in 18FT of water at almost high tide, with winds from the south.  I got 50FT of chain, it was very very crowded and was able to payout only 80 FT total (far less the desired 5:1 ratio).  We swung quite a lot during the night as the wind died and turned to the west in the morning. That was my first time anchoring with my new Catalina 34.  Reasonably happy. But based on your comment, I probably need to experiment further... 

Roc,

Snake River device is now sold by Tank Edge Manufacturing.

https://tankedge.com/products.html

I bought directly from their website. They have done a small improvement by adding an external voltage regulator. Got tech support so I could optimized the sensor position and finally I tested the device in the lab with the tank and it did perform well.

Got two extra sensing inputs, but not sure I'll ever install the sensors on the water tanks as these are difficult to reach. 

Francois

Ted/WBev,

Good observation. Will fix this ASAP. I also wonder if the stanchion vent is effective. Anyone upgraded doing a hull through vent?

Francois
S/V Whitecaps

Ed,

I bought directly from Ronco the B179 tank for much less than $400 last April. Call them for a quote, they are very easy to work with. I picked it up at the factory in Orange County, Ca. I also requested different positions for fittings and elected to have input from toilet at top side center. I changed all sanitation hoses using  Raritan SaniFlex as they are very easy to work with and install. While doing this I decided to add a Snake River tank monitor which so far provides decent accuracy.

Francois
S/V Whitecaps
Hull #1292

Ah... nothing easy. I removed the muffler riser today and it looks like I got a 3 pieces nipple'd riser similar to CD part #Z3055 (see picture). But, I do measure the extension closer to 3 inch. So, should I go with Z3055 with 3.5inch extension or Z4491 with 2.5inch extension? Or it really doesn't matter and both will work?

please post or send me a message re which riser you get and why, as I have a 97.  also, did you have to replace the exhaust flange?  and how long for various things.  think I'll have to have mine done, as I can do basic stuff but this seems over my head.  thanks.

Hi Mark (Captran), I got the Z4491 with 2.5inch extension. Did the installation this morning without issues. I did change the flane as well.
Now moving my attention to the heat exchanger re-install. Always something.

Ah... nothing easy. I removed the muffler riser today and it looks like I got a 3 pieces nipple'd riser similar to CD part #Z3055 (see picture). But, I do measure the extension closer to 3 inch. So, should I go with Z3055 with 3.5inch extension or Z4491 with 2.5inch extension? Or it really doesn't matter and both will work?