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Topics - Mas Tequila

#1
Main Message Board / Well we've done it now
March 03, 2020, 08:00:27 PM
I have to say that we absolutely love our 34 and she has been a fantastic boat for us and has never let us down. During the summer we spend about a month in the North Channel and then shorter trips which tend to run for a week or two at a time. We have plans on cutting the lines in a year and plan to sail full time to little islands with palm trees. We felt that in some ways our 34 might not be the best boat for us for that purpose even though we certainly have seen a number of people doing just that in much less capable boats. A few things we wish we had would be more storage, water tankage, and a walk through transom. There are a few other minor things but those are the bigger ones.

So...we made an offer which was accepted on a Beneteau 440. She is the 2 cabin model which we really like the layout of. She's a very clean boat and has very low hours on her. The survey is scheduled for next week and we are expecting that to go very well. We actually saw the boat a couple of years ago while visiting my son at his marina and it just stood out as a boat someone took very good care of. Anyway, long story short it came up for sale and we were really impressed how clean it really was when we looked at it. We talked about it and threw out a low ball offer which we never expected to be accepted but of course, it was. We learned recently that the owner was in a position that he really needed to sell but I won't go into that here.

So I'm finding that I'm more apprehensive than excited. Our 34 is going to my son and I've threatened his very life if he hurts our baby. The one thing that really has me so apprehensive is I'm finding the support for Beneteau's is nowhere near the support for Catalinas. The support I have found here has been amazing!!! There hasn't been a question about any part of our boat that hasn't been answered and there is so much information available that I received answers to questions I didn't even know to ask. Catalina yachts have been so helpful every time I've called them and I even received an email the other day from them asking how things turned out after the damage we suffered last year turned out and if they could be of any more help. What I am fast finding out is there isn't anywhere near the same kind of support when it comes to Beneteau.

We'll see how it all turns out and I'll let you all know. As for now I still own our 34 and you can rest assured that it isn't going anywhere until I'm comfortible with this 44.
#2
Main Message Board / Winter storage warning
February 13, 2020, 05:51:03 AM
A friend of ours had an Oday which I believe was a 28' but I could be wrong on the size. He sold it last summer and just shared some rather shocking news. The new owner let him know that water had gotten into the pad support posts on the cradle and one of them had ice build-up inside and it expanded and raised the pad like a hydraulic ram about 5 inches which then put a 3 foot crack in the hull. Now I really don't know anything about the construction of Odays or the condition of the hull except to say that our friend had it for years and sailed the snot out of it without any problems that we are aware of.

He's going to send me some pictures and I'll post those when I get them.

Obviously not a Catalina but I thought it was worth passing this on.
#3
Main Message Board / Sickened by what we found
April 08, 2019, 05:33:18 AM
So we went to the boat yesterday to remove the shrink wrap and get started on our boat projects and are absolutely sickened by what we found.

We have insisted that the boat be stored level or at least stored with the bow slightly elevated so if the shrink wrap were to leak water would be able to drain out of the cockpit. What we found was the boat was placed on the cradle to far aft which caused it to sit bow down. It was also placed on a grade which further placed the bow in a downward position. We found the keel was only supported at the most forward point and that a 4x4 post had been jammed between the cradle and the bow just forward of the keel. The shrink wrap had a 5 foot hole in it right over the cockpit and we found the cockpit had so much water in it that it had been draining into the boat through the forward portlight of the aft berth. The shrink wrap had collapsed at the bow and was filled with about 50 gal of water which caused the shrink wrap to tear away from the bow putting all that pressure against the foil of the roller furler bending it to the point that it will have to be replaced. The stanchions had not been cross supported and 4 of our brand new stanchions are now pretty badly bent. To say the least I was pretty angry at this point but what we found inside sent me right over the edge.

We found that the brand new house bank batteries were comply flat and the solar charge controller had gone into a self protect mode and shut itself off. The battery selector switch was in the off position and we were wondering what could have pulled the house bank down. The bilge pump switch was in the auto position and I wondered if water had gotten into the bilge and the pump could have drained the batteries. I really thought that it was more likely that pump would have frozen and blown the breaker. When I checked the bilge I found it was flooded all the way to the floor boards and was clear in color. We always make sure the bulge is completely dry and then add a couple gallons of antifreeze to protect the bilge pump just in case so why would the water be clear unless so much water had entered the boat that the antifreeze ended up being pumped overboard.

About this time I noticed the door that accesses the hot water tank was ajar and would not close. The covers for the battery bank and dry storage at the forward end of the settee had also popped out of position and now wouldn't fit. I also found water under the v-berth and couldn't figure out how or why there would be water in there. I keep my tools in the dry storage locker under the settee and when I went to get a few tools I found the locker was flooded but not with water but with water and antifreeze apparently from the bulge. Considering that this area is sealed off from the bilge I really started to get worried and my worst fears were justified. I found a large crack in the forward bulkhead and along the stringer which allowed water and antifreeze to enter the locker. I took a screwdriver and climbed out of the boat to tap along the hull to see if there could possibly be any delamination and to my horror I found a crack in the hull just forward of the keel where that 4x4 post had been jammed against the hull and water and antifreeze was leaking through the hull. The crack is in the keel stub and is not a Catalina smile but higher than that. Needless to say I was sicken by what I found.

We talked with the marina owners who took a rather oh well kind of attitude. I'm waiting to hear back from the insurance company and will be contacting a surveyor to come out and take a look. I will let you all know what they find as soon as I know more.
#4
Main Message Board / Adding a wash down pump
August 21, 2018, 08:28:54 AM
We have decided to add a wash down pump to be able to hose down the decks and wash the anchor and rode when we have been anchored in a muddy bottom. We have been just using buckets but "she who must be obeyed" thinks that is a pain and wants a wash down system.

I've ordered a Jabsco 32605 Series Marine ParMax 4 GPM Washdown Pump Kit which should be here in the next couple of days. I intend to tee into the thru hull for the sink foot pump and in a perfect world I'd like to run a line forward to the anchor locker but access looks like a real pain. An alternative might be to run it to the port side coaming near the shore power. Of course we would have to run a hose forward if we wanted to wash down the anchor and rode. More often than not we find ourselves washing down the cockpit, it's amazing how much sand and dog hair can accumulate there. We have one of those collapsible hoses which works pretty well and stores neatly so running it forward that's not that big a deal.

Oh we are also in the great lakes so no salt water.

Question is, have any of you installed a wash down system and if so where did you run your water line?
#5
Main Message Board / Propane line run?
February 15, 2018, 01:20:17 AM
Our boat undoubtedly had an alcohol stove/oven back in the day which the PO replaced with an origo alcohol stove. That stove worked OK but we decided to install a microwave and propane stove similar to what you may have seen on Kindred Spirit. Last year I installed the microwave which we have been very happy with. We ran an extension cord to the microwave because I wanted to make sure we were happy with it's location before I started drilling holes to mount an AC receptacle behind it. Again we are very happy with the microwave and use it all the time while plugged into shore power so installing a proper receptacle is on the to do list in the next couple of weeks.

The new stove top has been bought and the framing is finished and it is ready to install. The question is for those of you that have a gas stove, how is your gas line run to your stove? I really don't like the idea of drilling holes anywhere unless I'm absolutely certain where to put them and why.

I'm nearly finished with the propane locker and have everything on hand to finish that up and get it installed and wired. Still need a propane detector so if you all have a suggestion on one you like let me know.

Here is a picture of the microwave install.
#6
Main Message Board / Extending the pushpit
January 27, 2018, 12:12:58 PM
Totally for sake of argument. The admiral has asked a number of times if I could extend the pushpit rails forward. Her thoughts are added security and the ability to mount a grill more forward instead of hanging off the aft of the push pit. The thought is adding a stanchion halfway between the pushpit and the gate stanchion and welding new rails from the pushpit to the added stanchion and then to the gate stanchion enclosing the cockpit. We already plan on adding other gate stanchions as many have done to make midship boarding easier. The tubing and the stanchions aren't that expensive and my son is a master welder who says it would be a piece of cake for him the weld it up right on the boat with his portable tig welder.

I can't say I'm sold on the idea but don't really have an argument why it couldn't or shouldn't be done so I thought I'd toss it out to all of you for your input.
#7
Main Message Board / Fixed lenght whisker pole?
November 18, 2017, 04:01:00 PM
So the boat next to me has his whisker pole just laying on his cradle and I contacted him about another subject and asked him if her would like to to store it for him. Being a rather expensive piece of equipment and there might be a few people that would drool on it (like myself) I offered to put it in a safe place. He of course thanked me and said that it was an extra one and if I wanted it I could have it for $100. He couldn't remember what size it was nor did I pay that close of attention. It might be a fixed length pole but it is a Forespar, I'll look closer next week. My thought was even if it was a fixed length I could buy a longer tube and add the end fittings. Now I would like an extendible pole and talked with Forespar and they recommended their LC 10-18 but at nearly $1000.00 shipped it's outside of the budget considering we are installing a new Garhauer traveler and a new dodger, bimini and connector.  :shock:

I've read somewhere that a fixed length pole should be equal to the J measurement which for our boat would be 13.5 feet, that seems manageable. I've also read (again somewhere) that a fixed length should be the J measurement X the genoa size. So in my case 13.5J x 1.35 (135 genoa) = 18.05 pole length. That seems to long to be manageable to me.

I was wondering if any of you had any thoughts on this. I've never had a whisker pole before but now that we are doing extended cruising I can sure see the need to have one. Given that we are dumping another $7000.00 in the boat this year a new whisker pole just isn't in the budget. 
#8
We have been entertaining the idea of installing a radar arch. We think that this may solve a few issues that we have as well as add space to allow us to expand to adding radar at some point, solar panels, outboard motor mounts, moving our GPS antenna up and out of the way, etc. The system that we have been looking at will mount outside of the pushpit and extend above the bimini which will free up some space around the cockpit which does tend to be a bit tight with all the goodies that tend to be mounted to the pushpit. It also incorporates dinghy davits which is very attractive to us.

Just wondering if any of you have added an arch or your thoughts.
#9
Main Message Board / Furlex headsail track?
April 26, 2017, 05:51:37 AM
When we bought our boat she was on the hard with the mast down. The boatyard had lashed the furling track to the mast but left the drum unsupported which of course bent the track. There is a kink in the track making it impossible to raise the headsail using the starboard side of the track, we were able to raise it using the port side but it's tight. Also when furling the headsail there is a bit of a wobble in the track. I can't seem to find a replacement and thought that the collective wisdom here might have an idea where to find it.

Oh and the boatyard claims no responsibility and said that if the PO wanted it supported he should have built a support for it.
#10
Main Message Board / ANL fuse common busbar
March 11, 2017, 06:12:48 PM
I've been reading everything I can about doing an electrical upgrade this spring. I'm sure I've read every part of the electrical 101 at least 3 times, I've printed nearly every copy of the schematics and have drawn and re-drawn my own. One thing I found that rather intrigued was 3 ANL fuse holders that are connected by a common busbar which is credited to Mail Sail. Search as I might I haven't been able to find such a busbar anywhere, I guess I could make one easy enough by drilling out some copper bar stock but was wondering if anyone knew where I could find one.

Here's the link since I seen to be impaired at posting pictures:

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/blue-seas-buss-bars.183114/




#11
Main Message Board / second anchor?
February 19, 2017, 08:10:27 AM
We are putting together a list of projects  :cry4`and supplies for a trip we are planning to the North Channel this summer. Looking at the number of tight anchorages we are thinking a second anchor would be a good idea to have along considering we may need to set two of them. We will be carrying 250 feet of spare rode but have been wondering what spare anchor we should carry. We have been leaning toward a Danforth and thought if we knew what size fit the mount in the anchor locker it would store well.

This is by no means set in stone and were wondering what ideas you all might have.
#12
Main Message Board / electrical system overview
January 15, 2017, 12:28:15 PM
I wanted to review our electrical system with you all and see if any of you have any input. The PO had started to do some upgrades but never finished the project. Everything is working fine but we are looking to finish it up with the goal of being able to spend extended time cruising and on a hook if we wish.

The PO had just installed a new Aquamaax 120 amp alternator, a serpentine drive and a Balmar MC 614 regulator. There also is a new Balmar smart gauge installed but not yet wired. A custom built battery box to fit 4 GC2 batteries under the settee just forward of the sink was installed. There were only 2 GC2 house batteries installed and the start battery was also in this box. The battery charger soon gave up the ghost after our purchase and I installed a Genius 20 amp charger I had laying around temporarily. A new Balmar add a battery switch and ACR are new and still in the package which I will be adding this spring. The alternator also appears to be run to the positive lead on the starter.

So here is the plan. We will be installing 4 new 6 volt 230AH Duracell lead acid batteries which have the GC2 footprint in the battery box. Relocating the start battery, most likely under the aft berth. Install the new battery switch and ACR as well as a new Sterling Pro Charge Ultra 50 amp charger which is new in the box sitting on my kitchen counter. (Thanks Main Sail). Rewire the alternator and Pro Charge directly to the house bank. I have a close friend who's home is completely off the electrical grid using solar here in northern Michigan and have been picking his brain on designing a system for us. This isn't set in stone yet but we are leaning toward a 340 watt solar panel mounted on the davits and run through a Midnite Solar 30 amp MPPT charge controller, the marine version. All of the lighting fixtures in the boat are being replaced with LED which again are sitting in a box. We will be changing all of the nav lights to LED as well.

I do have a couple of questions I could use your help with. I'm wondering where to install the Pro Charger and ACR. I'm thinking under the nav station and running the charge wiring to the house battery side of the battery switch and the ACR charge wiring to the start battery, again at the battery switch. I also want to install a terminal fuse block on the positive terminal of the house bank but I'm not sure what amperage it should be. Ideas?

Anyway I'd love to hear any ideas you all might have with our plan and if you see anywhere that I need to rethink the plan.

Thanks in advance.
#13
Main Message Board / Bow water tank replacement
December 21, 2016, 08:59:56 AM
We have two fresh water tanks, one located under the starboard dining seat and one in the bow. The one in the bow is cracked and given it is original and probably has gotten brittle over the years we would rather replace it than try to repair it. It's a Ronco B-114 and Catalina Direct has them but they are charging nearly $100.00 for shipping. West Marine is checking to see if they can order them and said that if they could get them there won't be any shipping charge if it's sent to our local store. Still waiting to hear back from them. Just in case would any of you have an idea how to save on shipping charges? Not trying to be cheap but $100.00 saved is $100.00 I can spend on other goodies.
#14
Main Message Board / Dressing up the coaming
December 16, 2016, 09:21:06 AM
Over the years there have been a number of fittings that have been installed and removed on our coaming, bimini deck mounts, cleats, etc. They have been repaired with what looks like thickened epoxy in some spots and marine tex in others. While there isn't any problem with the structure all the repairs are rather ugly as they don't match the non-skid or the color. We are thinking about just covering them up with possibly teak deck steps or possibly something like SeaDek. Have any of you done something like this and if so what would you recommend?

We would love to hear your ideas.
#15
Main Message Board / Rudder is soaked
November 06, 2016, 06:16:17 PM
Today we pulled the boat and placed it on the hard and while doing so I found that the rudder had water running out of it. I found a hairline crack about 1/3 of the way down on the port side which was leaking water as well as water dropping out of the bottom. I'm guessing the crack is likely from the rudder being full of water when it was stored for the winter and having it freeze. When we first bought the boat in August I did notice what looked like a rust stain and was wondering about the condition of the rudder at that time. Do to a number of factors which are to long to go into now we launched the boat the first week of September figuring we would sail for a couple of months to see if any real problems appeared. For the most part things went well and only a few small issues appeared, need to re-bed hardware and the like. I did have lingering thoughts about the rudder and contacted Catalina Direct for the cost of a new rudder just in case we might have a problem or wanted to upgrade to the newer design. They quoted $3050.00 shipped for a stock replacement and $4500.00 shipped for the new design.

OK that is simply out of our budget right now so I have another idea I would like to bounce past you all. I don't know if any of you have seen "Boatworks Today" on YouTube but they show how they remove the outer skin on one side of the rudder, the foam core and rebuild the rudder. It doesn't look like like rocket science and I'm sure I could handle the foam and glass work. Also my son is a welder who works on some pretty crazy materials and I explained to him about the steel frame inside the rudder and how it can rust out. He says he could easily fabricate a new frame out of stainless and weld it to the rudder post.

So I guess what I'm asking is if you were in the same shoes what would you do? 
#16
Main Message Board / Replacement winches part deux
October 31, 2016, 01:43:57 AM
I just have to share our wonderful experience with all of you and I hope I'm not breaking any forum rules here. Keep in mind that this is the short version of this saga.

As many of you have seen I had posted a question about replacing our Maxwell winches on the forum. A short time later I received an email from someone asking if they could give me a price on new winches. Later I found out that person was KWKloeber. Not really knowing who I was answering I said that would be all right and figured it was most likely just some salesman who would quote me something close to a list price.

Boy was I wrong!!! Through a number of emails he asked me to provide some measurements so he could make sure that he was able to find the proper replacement winches for us. Ultimately we talked on the phone and I realized he really knew what he was talking about, not only that but he's just a great guy to talk to. He educated me on power factors, construction materials, finishes, what was available on the market and how they compared to each other. He even provided videos. Through what must have been 50 emails (my dumb questions) we decided that the Lewmar 45 CST Evolutions were just what we wanted. So he sent us a quote and I nearly passed out when I read it. I mean Defender's scratch and dent, it fell off the back of a truck sale wasn't even close to this price. No where, and I mean no where online were there prices anywhere close to being this low. KWKloeber has a business to run so I'll keep the prices to myself, if he wants to share that with you I'll leave it up to him.

So the Admiral, also known as "she who must be obeyed" wasn't quite as trusting as I was. She's the keeper of the books when it comes to the boat and basically thought I had lost my mind. She also seems to think I have a spending problem when it comes to the boat. As she put it....some guy, who just contacted you on the internet, that you don't know, wants us to just send him a bunch of money for some winches at a price way lower than the very best prices listed anywhere? Yeah baby!!! What could go wrong?  :shock: Well I then contacted KWKloeber and told him that we defiantly wanted the winches but the Admiral had some concerns. She wanted me to ask him about COD, paying for one of them first, on and on. I really was feeling like a real pain in the a**. I knew KWKloeber had put in a tremendous amount of time and now I felt like I was jerking his chain. He was very kind and said that he understood her concerns and was sure we could work something out, his solution was however a bit of a surprise. He told me that he was afraid that the winches might not be around at those prices for very long so he just went a head and had them sent to my office and I should see them the next day  :shock: :shock:. He said, "if they are what you want and you are happy with them just send me a check".

WHAT? :shock: I mean he doesn't know me from Adam and was trusting enough to do this? The winches came as promised and they are simply perfect, brand new in the box and not a mark on them. So the Admiral sends him a check....to the wrong address!!! I called KWKloeber in a panic and tried to explain what had happened and honest to God the "check was in the mail" Apparently in an attempt to keep my blood pressure down he and the Admiral had already talked and he let me know that the mail sent to the address we sent the check to was automatically forwarded to him and not to worry about a thing.

I don't know if KWKloeber can beat everyone's prices and who you all do business with is, frankly, your business.

I just wanted to take a moment and publicly say thank you KWKloeber for everything.
#17
Main Message Board / Replacement Winches
September 30, 2016, 11:33:12 AM
Our primary winches are of course Maxwell 26s which are not self tailing. The drums are very smooth and even with the sheets wrapped with 4 turns they slip terribly and "She who must be obeyed" thinks they would better serve as a fish reef and frankly I tend to agree with her. (not like I really have a choice) So the question is....what would you all replace them with? Also the guides to selecting the proper size seem more confusing than helpful so any insight there would be of great help.

Thanks in advance
#18
Main Message Board / Replacing lifelines
September 08, 2016, 10:48:22 AM
One of the projects I am looking at is replacing the lifelines on our new to us boat. I'm sure they are the original lines which are the vinyl covered type. I can see some corrosion and the covering is cracked and just plain ugly. They sag pretty badly and the adjustment is maxed out. I've read up on DIY lifeline projects and it sure doesn't seem like rocket science.  So what I'm thinking is replacing ours with 316, 1X19 3/16" uncovered stainless. I guess 1/8" would work but I think something a bit larger would not only be stronger but feel better on the hands. Thinking about the swage style fittings because they cost a bit less and using a bolt type swager is inexpensive as well. I was thinking I could also use a cut off wheel on my die grinder to cut the wire to size after taping so it doesn't unravel all over the place.

Anyway if you all have any insight I'd love to hear it.

1986 hull # 11

Mas   
#19
Main Message Board / Another new owner
August 31, 2016, 05:24:03 AM
Just wanted to take a minute and introduce myself as a new Catalina 34 MKI owner. We just purchased hull # 11 and can't wait to get out and sail her. The PO spent 5 years doing a refit with the idea of retiring on her in the Caribbean. Unfortunately due to health reasons he ended up having to sell her. She has all of the critical upgrades done professionally and extensive upgrades including brand new Raymarine E series chartplotter, new auto pilot and zero hour rebuilt engine with the serpentine belt system and high output alternator. The list of other upgrades and new equipment is very long and includes all the receipts. There is still a few things that need to be done and I fully expect to be picking your brains soon. I used to own a Catalina 30 and my better half owned a C & C 40 which just goes to show you that we don't have the sense God gave a fence post. Anyway just wanted to say hello.