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My 1987 34, hull 362, has been collecting small amounts of water inside the hull pocket above the skeg, forward of the rudder post/ aft of the shaft strut. It then spills over and runs into the bilge. In my search for a source, after thoroughly drying the depression and waiting overnight, water had entered the depression again. No rain or water source outside above waterline, and the water is salty. 
I have just read several post in the forum that indicate this is not an uncommon leak, but none related one common entry point. It seems there may be cracks or weepage at several locations.
I would like to avoid a haul till next season, and was wondering if anyone had successfully stopped or mitigated the leakage by filling the in-hull depression in front of the rudder post and aft of the strut bolts with an epoxy, foam or other sealing agent?

It is a slow leak and fully manageable, though disconcerting. Im sure it has been present during the 2+ years of my ownership and likely with the previous owner.

I would appreciate your thoughts, ideas / suggestions for a filler.

Regards to all,
Marc

The aft polyethylene water tank in Spellbound has developed a crack in a compound corner near the top of the tank, where the depression is locate to clear the steering mechanism.  The crack is extending down the aft wall and across the seam horizontally.
Has anyone tried a repair or know of a replacement for the this tank.
I understand not all 1987 34's had this tank, which is about 30 gallon capacity.
I intend to remove the tank this fall.

Thnaks,
Marc

Hello All,
I'm hoping I may get some insight to my issue after repowering Spellbound this Spring with a Beta 25. The engine install went well with minimal issues and I performed initial sea trials last week. Warranty requires among other things operating at WOT and reaching 3600 RPM.  After the 15  minute runs at a 50% rev and 75% rev, my 1st trial failed with a max of 2950 RPM, at which point the engine was working quite hard and oil pressure fluctuated and start dropping. I throttled back slowly, rnas at various rpm's for another 15 minutes a tried WOT again with the exact same results.  Terminated tests and returned to port.  I pulled the boat a d prop and had it repitched and balanced at HAle propeler here in Old Saybrook, CT.  The prop is a 2004 sailor style 3 blade, 15". It was 15 x  and they re-pitched it to 15 x 7.5 based upon all the input data. The second sea trial was performed yesterday and it again failed, topping out at 3200 rpm with the same high load and fluctuating and dropping oil pressure.
I had the prop pitch reconfirmed by a third party as correct for all loads by Beta in NC.
My fuel system is all new with 60gpm rated Racor (10Uc) and a parallelled electric lift pump on a bypass for priming and backup to the Beta mechanical pump.
My exhaust riser is the original MX25 Universal riser slightly modified to fit the new engine location. The riser had the aft leg shortened about and inch and the port leg to the water box shortened about an inch. It is 1.25 inch SS material in quite good shape.

I am at a loss as to what to look for with the low engine RPM.. Beta marine is looking at a set of photos of my installation, and I am waiting to hear from them.  Local mechanics said the prop pitch is not correct yet, and/o,r there is too much back pressure on the exhaust at high RPM due to the 1.25 inch riser. Mt calcs say this 1.25 dia. riser equates to a loss equivalent of about a 48 inch long straight piece of pipe after accounting for the three 90 degree bends in the riser.  With the higher rpm of the Beta over the MX25 I think this may be the issue.
Where to spend the money?  Re-pitch the prop again, or make a new riser in a 1.5" diameter, or any other suggestions?

Thanks for listening.
Fair winds and weather.

Marc

With the present deep discount coupons available for bottom paints , I am looking to buy paint for Spellbound, my Catalina 34 here in CT. The plan is to winter in FL this coming Fall.  Having not purchased bottom paint for years, I am looking for recommendations for a good value paint for these cruising areas.  I do not know what the present paint is, but it is in good condition after last season. I am attempting to contact the previous owner to ascertain what he used.

Thanks,
Marc

I pulled the engine out of Spellbound (1987 Catalina 34) yesterday and I am looking at options for a replacement engine, verses a rebuild.
I like all that I have heard from and about the Beta 25, but I have not found any information or found anyone who has actually done the this refit.
From what I have found so far is that the Beta 25 will fit in the bed and shaft alignment is fine, but, none of the exhaust riser options for the Beta 25 I can locate are compatible with the exhaust arrangement in the boat.
All the Beta risers go directly aft, while the Catalina has the water-box on the port side about adjacent to the transmission front end.
I cannot see how I can possibly refit a new water-box and exhaust to accommodate the Beta straight aft risers.
I need a riser that turns 90 degrees to port before the rise mimicking the M25XP riser in size and arrangement.

Has anyone experience in the Beta 25 refit and/or a solution to the riser arrangement?
Short of having a custom riser made, I do not see how this will work.

Any suggestions welcome...

Thanks all,
Marc

I am going to pull my 1987 M25XP for refurb this winter due to coolant in the oil.
I have been speaking to companies regarding cost for a replacement if it becomes warranted during the inspection/evaluation of my engine.  One supplier of a Beta (Kubota block with trans.; $7,700) replacement for my engine stated that with my year and model engine they have found that MANY leaky head gaskets have been due to the cylinder sleeve moving down in the engine block, thus allowing a leak path by the head gasket.
In all my reading on this site I have not seen any entries where this has been noted as an issue?
It would be quite a waste of time and $$$ to do a rebuild with new head gasket, etc. if this is occurring and not recognized!

Any thoughts/ comments or experience with this????
Any dealers for a replacement engine at reasonable cost?

I am also looking for a reliable and reasonably price supplier for the Kubota D950 parts and gaskets for this project.

The rebuild article by David Sanner Queimada #611 was/ is very helpful.

Thanks all...
Marc

After have lab tests performed on my M25XP oil and coolant I find that I have coolant in the oil at a severe level rating as well as high lead levels (babbitt?)
I am pulling the engine this fall and as my winter project will pull the head and look at the lower end as well. I need to fabricate a cradle/stand to hold the engine while I work on it. Has anyone purchased, have one, or know where to look for one.  Any dimensions for the engine mount locations would be helpful, as I can get some angle iron and have one welded.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,
Marc

I am a recent owner of a 1987 Catalina 34 - "Spellbound".
BEFORE I had the opportunity to read the terrific information available here, I rewired the battery system on the boat with all my best intentions.

I have attached a sketch (PDF) of my arrangement and would like comments and suggestions on the arrangement for improvements.

Using a Blue Sea Systems 5511e switch I divided the battery banks into 2 separate but joinable systems.
All battery wiring is new 2AWG. A common ground point is installed for all grounds in the House battery compartment (Salon aft seat).
I selected the Quest isolator based upon my previous years experience as a power boat owner and the isolators were quite common and trouble free in my usage.

The alternator has the Orange "Sense" wire disconnected  completely.
There was, and is, an Echo charger installed, but is not wired at present.

The additional console breaker and switches for cabin lights, water pressure and anchor lights would allow me to open the main battery switch to OFF, and just use the bypass circuit for evenings on the hook with nothing else energized.
Thank you in advance....

Marc

I recently bought a 1987 Catalina 34 with the Universal M25XP engine. 
I replaced the weepy Sherwood sea water pump, and all the closed loop fresh water hoses except the water heater loop.
( Note, a good replacement for the FW pump hose is a NAPA Part number 11802 hose. UPC 0029769119570. mfg. by Gates. 90 degree bend, 1"ID x 3/4"ID.)

The engine runs quite well and the oil is not appearing contaminated in any manner.
However (caveat), I am loosing coolant, about a pint for every 5 hours of running time.

I have been unable to locate any sign of the coolant anywhere, which is scary.  I am concerned that it is going out through  the heat exchanger or some undisclosed or viewable component.

I would appreciate input for where to start peeling back the onion skin so to speak in search of the leak.
Any similar experiences or historical experiences?

Thank much,
Marc