Topics

Cool Change going back into the water this spring, after long stay on the hard.  This was due to the illness of my wife.  I will be going back up to the North Channel.
Paulus

Looking for 2 handles.  Have been looking around but so far no luck. Does anyone have a couple laying around or know were to find them. Happy to purchase them.  The screws measure 1 3/4" from centre to centre and about 1" tall.
Thanks,
Paul

Does anyone have a source for the sea water strainer bowl?  Looking for the bowl only.
Appreciate your help.
Paul

Looking for a face plate for my Standard Horizon DS45.  Unit works great.  Will be happy to purchase and pay for shipping.  Face plate needs to be in good condition.
Thanks,
Paul

The glass on the front panel is cracked.  Does anyone have a unit for sale. It works but I want replace the glass.
Paul

I would like to raise the boom about 6" so that it would not rub on my bimini and flatten it out more.
Has anyone done this?
Would appreciate any thoughts or ideas.
Paul

PS:  Cool Change returned from the North Channel just before Labor Day.  My wife and I spend 2 1/2 months in this wonderful area.

Just a thank you to all of you that have put articles on this forum on how to take out the old and put in the new. There were many articles over the years on this forum.
Read most of them.  Replacing the old water heater(19yrs old) a seaward with a new seaward today.
Thanks,
Paul

Looking for a mini Led rocker switch with the light build in.  This is for my propane on/off switch.  The exterior measures 1/2" x 3/4".  Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

No problem finding a mini with a candescent bulb built into the rocker. 

Cool Change is back from the North Channel.  Wonderful weather and good sailing.  However, I encounter a minor problem.  On Lake Michigan I had a very rough sail(weather man said N winds 10 to 15, waves 2 to 3'. Perfect!)  Winds became 25 to 35 and waves 6'.  I had reduced sail but occasionally a wave swept over the boat. Checked for leaks and the dog on the front hatch, left side was dripping water.  I placed plastic under the hatch.
Can you take these apart and rebuild?  Should I look for a new handle?  Leave it alone and wait for a heavy rain?
Thanks,
Paul

Cool Change will be leaving for the North Channel on the 19th.  Will launch on the 17th. We plan on spending about 6 weeks on Northern Lake Huron.  My wife will join me at Blind River.
Hope for favorable winds.  All paper(digital) in order with the Canadian gov't.
Paul

I am including a pic.  Took these off.  Brought them home and managed to damage one with the router.  Not sure the technical name of these pieces of trim are but the pic will show it.  If anyone knows were I can buy a replacement, would be much appreciated. I need the starboard side and maybe will have to replace both of them??

Is there any scuttlebutt about opening up the North Channel for American sailors this summer?
Hoping for good news.😊
Paul

Does anyone have the engine part # for Kubota?  I want to purchase a new casket and thermostat for my Universal 25xp.  The local Kubota dealer need the engine serial #.  I think it is located on the dipstick??
Thanks,
Paul

The light on my propane switch on the electrical panel no longer lights up.  The switch still works.  Does anyone have a used switch from an electrical panel that they replaced.
The switch is 13/16 by 5/16.  My panel is black if that is helpful.  Did anyone replace their electrical and keep the old one?  Catalina Direct is out of stock and will not have one available until this fall.  The one one is a simple off and on switch with a indicator light to the side of the switch will be their replacement.  No switch with the red light build into it.
Thanks for any help.
Paul

We can work, launch and going sailing.  Opened up about 2wks ago.  Mother Nature is not cooperating.  Had rain and snow here today.  No warm weather yet. 
Next week is looking a little better.
Paul

I am looking for the rubber seal between the power supply and the motor on my Autohelm St4000+ .  It is the seal that covers the plug on the small motor that protects the electrical connection from the elements.  I have a small crack and would like to replace it. 
Does anyone know the part # or where I might purchase it.  I have not contacted ray marine yet but will.
Thanks for any help.
Paul

My gps is 15 years old and in the mornings the screen is hard to read and the chips can not be updated.  I would like to replace this gps with a new Garmin.  Ideas and suggestions would be welcomed.  This is the first time in 15 years that I have searched the internet for a gps.  There seems to be a lot of bells and whistles.
Any ideas and suggestions would be welcomed.
Paul

Those of you that have purchased an outhaul from CD are your satisfied with the quality?  One of my lines broke and it has been working very hard for the past few year.
Time to replace.
Thanks for any info.
Paul

We have returned from the N. Channel after a fantastic summer.  Good sailing from Muskegon and also on the return trip this past week. Tried new anchorages and also picked a lot of blueberries.  No bears.
Three of our six grandchildren were able to joins us.
Good to be back.
Paul
PS:  Will post a new topic if needed.  Broke my out haul this summer.  Needs replacing.

We launched Cool Change this morning and will leave for the summer on Saturday, June 8th.  Will spend some time on Lake Michigan and then headed to the North Channel.
Wish all of you a great summer of sailing.
Paul

Several years ago, I bumped my head on the depth sounder and put a crack in the glass(plastic?).  It does not leak water but would like to replace it.
I contacted the company you see if they had any left.  They did not.  These were replaced a few years ago?  Does anyone know if you can replace the glass on the unit or does anyone know who might still have some of these around.  All my instruments work and see no need to replace them.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Paul

Thinking about putting a mantus swivel on my 5/16 chain and 32lb bruce anchor.  The rep at mantus recommended the S1.
Appreciate any thoughts about the product and size.
Thanks,
Paul

I am going to install a smartgauge. I have 4 golf cart batteries wired in series-parallel.  Does the positive wire have to run to each positive post on the 4 batteries and the negative wire run to each negative post.  Can I run the positive wire to one positive post and also do the negative the same way on the opposite corners.  The diagram on Balmar's website shows 3 separate batteries, no battery wiring.
Thanks for any help.
Paul

Our refrigeration unit stopped working on the way home from the North Channel.  Back to ice blocks for the trip home.  After trouble shooting the system, I discovered that the thermostat was not functioning. The manual was very helpful in and practical in trouble shooting the problem.  Simply bypassed the thermostat.   I ordered a new one from Nova Kool and also the resistor for pre setting speed for the compressor.  They are sending me 2 new resistors, the resistor was not bad.
My question is:  Why would there be different resistors for the compressor speed?  I am installing the same one as the unit came with(black one).  I have a very limited knowledge of electronics and would appreciate a little feedback.
Thanks,
Paul
PS:  They did not charge me for the resistors.

Looking for an anchor locker lid for a 1990 C34 for a sailing acquaintance in Canada.  Any ideas?  Tried to get him to join our organization.
PS:  Great summer in the North Channel
Paul

If you have not checked on your free replacements, you might try and call the company.  I placed my order in November and they told me that I would have them by the end of December.
Called again in January and was told that it would still be a while because of the back log.  Called again in April and they told me that their computers had crashed and my order was deactivated!!  They activated my order and it was to arrive in 2 weeks.  No merchandise.  Called today and they had to activate my order again.  This time I spoke to the supervisor and she send my order directly to the warehouse.   "Will be shipped tomorrow and arrive in a week". Each time I spend a hour on the phone listening to music.
Need to be persistent and patient
Paul
PS:  The supervisor gave me a direct phone number to check on my order.

What are the long term effects of using bio fuel?  I believe bio fuel was pumped into my fuel tank 4yrs ago.(can't proof it) Would appreciate any comments on this topic.
Paul

I would like to repaint the 1" white boot strip near the water line.  Would like to hear from those that have done this.  I have the following questions:  1. I would like to use one of those small spray cans that can be pressurized by  Co2 sold at the local ACE hardware store. 2.  Can 2 part paint be used in these and do a nice job. 3. Anyone recommend a 2 part paint.
Thanks,
Paul

I installed a cam cleat on my mast to help raise the main and got the most "bang for my buck".  A small but very helpful improvement in raising the main.
Thanks to those who had suggested this improvement.
Paul

Does anyone know if you can replace the glass face on these instruments.  Perhaps someone has one of these instruments that are no longer working.  I only need the glass face as the instruments are in good working order.  (Bumped my head a couple of years ago) I have a small crack in the glass but does not seem to let water in.  I have very few project this year and thought I might pursue this one.
Thanks
Paul

We had returned from our cruise to the North Channel.  Had the opportunity to meet with several of our Catalina member.
Had a great trip.
Cool Change
Paul

Thanks for all the advice, discussion and camaraderie on this site.  Hope to see some of you in the North Channel this summer.  Boat goes in the water on the 31st and hope to depart Muskegon on the 1st of June.  Hope to see some of you in the North Channel.
Thanks, Paul

My flexible solar panel after 4yrs has a slight color change, from blue to a blue/gray.  This panel stays on the boat all year around.  This change is due to the UV rays to the plastic or laminate.  It does not affect the output of the panel.  Any ideas as to cleaning the laminate on the panel?
Appreciate any ideas.
Paul

I have replaced my pelican hooks with "new shinny ones".  I have 3 old ones in working order and would be happy to give these to a fellow sailor that might have a broken one.(springs broke in two of the five)
Paul

I want to replace my fluorescent tubes with the following:  12" F8T5 LED Tube for Fluorescent Fixtures (FL-T5-66)
These are from Marinebeam.  Has anyone done this change and what brightness did you choose?
The original came from West Marine and are working fine,  need more light.
Thanks, Paul

I have the original instruments on my boat.  Working great.  Would like to replace with new or used ones in good shape.  5' diameter.  I know that the company is no longer in business.
Thanks for the help.
Paul

I have the original pelican hooks on my life line and stern gate.  Need to replace 2 of these as the springs are broke.  Anyone have an idea were I might find these.  Have already check Catalina Direct and WestMarine.
Thanks,
Paul

Espar Heaters.  I installed a Espar heater last season.  I used 3/16" copper fuel line from the pump to the heater, could not use the plastic line that came with the espar as it would not meet Coast Guard requirements.  Heater has been working fine.  Today, after talking to the Espar people they told me that I should be using the plastic fuel line.  Those of you that have and espar heatesr, what type of fuel line are you using from the pump to the heater? 
Thanks, Paul

Has anyone undertaken this project?  I believe the packing has to be 3/8" square but not sure on length or if you need to put in separate coils.
Appreciate any info. 
Paul

Cool Change is back after 3 months in the North Channel and Georgian Bay.  I installed a new charger last spring.  I have 4 golf cart batteries(1 large battery) and a starting battery.  I had left the charger on the factory setting(sealed) and had no issues.  We only used shore power 14 days during this summer.  Noticed this summer that my charger only ran for a few minutes and then went into maintenance mode when plugged into shore power. Should I have programed it for flooded batteries?  And also would this charged detect that the batteries were being charged by the solar panel?  I called the company, the young man I spoke to seems to think along these lines but was not a good listener.  Would be interested in some of your thoughts.  Had no issues with our electrical needs. 
Thanks,
Paul

Cool Change is going in the water on May 27.  Everything is working fine.  Had to replace the float switch, apparently it did not like the Michigan winter or just getting old.  Replaced and working fine.  Hope to leave for the North Channel on the 28th or 29th.  This will be my 3rd summer on the solar panel.   I solo sail to the North Channel(Blind River) and my wife meets me there and will spend the rest of the summer in the North Channel, McGreggor Bay and Georgian Bay.
Paul

Has anyone installed the Swiveling LED interior lamp from West Marine? Thinking about changing the V berth lamps.
Thanks, Paulus

Searched the message board and found on G-908 pumps.  My M25xp engine has a G-3 sherwood pump.  Would like to rebuild this pump this winter.
Appreciate any help. Paul

Just removed my anti siphon valve to check it out.  All is good. But, I did notice that the inside diameter is only 1/2 inch, and I thought that I had read that this should be 3/4 inches.
Your thoughts.
Paul

I have my starting battery ground to one of the bolts in the bell housing.  Reading the Catalina manual, they do not recommend this set up.  Any ideas why not.  It is bolted to the engine.
Paulus

Installed it in the (wet hanging locker) now the pantry.

Reading the manual on my new ProNauticP Series charger(12v30amps), do I have to use this on my flooded batteries?  The manual seems to indicate that this is more important for AGM and GEL batteries.
Appreciate your thoughts.  I have 4 golf cart batteries and 1 starting battery.
Thanks, Paul

I know there was a topic on this subject.  Can't seem to find it.  I want to replace the casket.
Thanks,
Paul

I posted this about 2 years ago and wondered if the thinking on battery chargers have changed.  I have a Pro Mariner and noticed that it is very hot to touch.  I am going to replace it this fall.  Last time I posted this topic most of you recommended the Pro Mariner Pronautic P or the Sterling Pro Charger Ultra.  Any new thoughts?
Thanks,
Paul

This summer I noticed a small oil leak.  It seems to be coming from a black knob located below the alternator.  The mechanic seems to think that this was or could be used for a dipstick.  Part of the black rubber coating is missing. It does show in the manual, but no idea what it is or can it be replaced?  Appreciate any ideas or thoughts.
Thanks,
Paul