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1

Main Message Board / Leaking Fuel Tank

« on: August 23, 2020, 12:23:17 PM »

Early in the 21st century (2003 or 2004) the aluminum fuel tank in Surprise my 1987 Catalina 34 had a significant fuel leak, and I replaced the tank at that time.  A couple of weeks ago Tropical Storm Isais tore through Long Island (and other places), and somehow caused a new leak in Surprise's fuel tank.  This time the fuel is not gushing out of the tank, but seems to be leaking slowly. So, I suspect there is either a small hole or small crack in the tank.  Instead of replacing the tank,I wonder if there is some sort of external sealant or patch that I might use to stop the leak more or less permanently. 

Please let me know if you know of something I can use to patch the tank.

Thank you, and keep safe.

Vic Suben
Surprise   Hull no. 453

2

Main Message Board / Rust stains on gel coat & non-skid

« on: July 01, 2020, 04:16:25 PM »

I have a 1987 Catalina 34.  I was cleaning the teak handrails with steel wool, and stupidly did not clean up ALL  the steel shavings.  Needless to say, with the next rain, the steel shavings rusted.

No I am faced with getting rid of the rust stains.  Please let me have some suggestions on methods to get rid of the rust stains.

Thanks for your help.

Vic Suben
C34  Hull no. 453
Surprise

3

Main Message Board / Raw water leak behind raw water pump

« on: May 07, 2019, 06:24:08 AM »

After running the M25XP engine after the winter layup, I noticed a slight water leak coming from the area where the raw water pump assembly mounts to the engine block.  When I looked closer, and stuck my hand in the area, one of the nuts securing the pump to the block disintegrated in my hand.  Also, it looks as though the threads on the stud are  corroded.  I'm looking for a material that could be used as a temporary repair until the mechanic can come out and do the repair properly.  Thanks for your suggestions.

Vic

4

Main Message Board / Lewmar 30 self tailing winch

« on: May 04, 2019, 01:23:19 PM »

Surprise is a 1987 Catalina 34, hull no. 453.  I started to disassemble the Lewmar 30 self tailing winch to lubricate it to stop the occasional squeal when the winch was under load.  When I checked the Lewmar website to find out about lubricants I found that the pictures and descriptions are different from the winch I have.  On my winch, there is a top plate  secured by four screws.  The screws go through the top plate, and the stripper before entering the threaded holes in the winch body.  When I tried to put the winch back together I was unable to get the holes in the brass plate to line up with the threaded holes in the winch body.  I would like any suggestions on ways to get the holes to line up. (Photo attached)
Thanks,

Vic

5

Main Message Board / pock marked gel coat

« on: October 19, 2018, 01:25:31 PM »

I wonder if anyone has seen localized pock marks in the gel coat.  In Surprise, the pock marks are in the water line strip and also just above the stripe.  This is only on the port side.  Any suggestions as to the probable cause and a cure are welcome.

6

Main Message Board / Roller Furler

« on: July 08, 2018, 05:42:52 AM »

Surprise is 1987 Mark I boat with a standard rig and a Furlex roller furler.  Last year I bought a used jib (~116) in good condition.  I used the jib in the last half of the season last year, and although the sail's luff is not as long as the 155 I had been using, I had no problem furling and unfurling it.  This year is a different story.  I've had problems furling and unfurling the sail.  When I observed that the halyard was wrapping around the headstay, I added a pennant at the tack to get the sail's head closer to the fitting just below the sheave.  This set up worked once.  Now the furler jams when I try to roll up the sail.  I am looking for suggestions as to how to solve this problem.

Thanks,

Vic

7

Main Message Board / window frames at opening ports

« on: June 19, 2017, 12:35:19 PM »

 

Surprise is a 1987 Catalina 34.  The plastic frames at some of the opening ports in the main cabin and v-berth keep coming off.  Although i replaced the velcro, the frames still come off.  I am trying to find out if there is another way to secure the frames.

Thanks,

Vic

8

Main Message Board / Propeller Shaft

« on: August 17, 2015, 04:51:35 AM »

  When Surprise is hauled for winter storage, I will need to replace the prop shaft. I am planning to start by loosening the set screws holding the shaft in the coupling and then  the stuffing box gland nut.  The next step would be to get the cutless bearing out of the skeg. By tapping the propeller's hub I am hoping to get the shaft out of the coupling.  Finally, I would remove the prop and the cutless bearing and pull the shaft completely out of the boat. If you have pulled the prop shaft, please let me know if my planned procedure will work.

Thanks,

Vic

9

Main Message Board / Holding Tank Plumbing

« on: May 18, 2015, 11:07:01 AM »

 :cry4`I was about to start replalcing the hose leading from the holding tank to the "Y" valve, the hose  from the "Y" valve to the through-hull fitting and also to the deck fitting.  Although I had seen the plumbing many times during the years I have owned Surprise, I never really LOOKED at it until I was ready to start this project.  I found the plumbing arrangement in Surprise is counter-intuitive.  The head discharge goes into the bottom of the tank.  A hose from a point near the top of the tank goes to the "Y" valve, and from the valve other hoses connect to the macerator, the through hull and the deck pump out fitting.

I am curious to know if anyone else has seen this sort of arrangement in their boat.  Please let me know.

Vic

10

Main Message Board / Holding Tank

« on: April 16, 2015, 04:33:17 AM »

Just before Surprise was hauled at the end of last season, I had the harbor's pump out boat pump out the holding tank.  When I started to replace the holding tank's hoses, I found there is still stuff in the tank.  So i guess the pump out boat is not up to the task of getting everything out of the tank.  I am looking for suggestions as to how to remove the remaining bad stuff (probably several gallons) from the tank.
Thanks,

Vic Suben

11

Main Message Board / Cracked Bomar Hatch Lense

« on: January 02, 2015, 01:18:49 PM »

 


The Bomar hatch just aft of the mast in Surprise is cracked at the corner near one of the dogs.  Can the lens itself be replaced, or do I need to replace the entire hatch.  If the lens itself can be replaced, are there any tricks or special metjpds that I need to pay attention to?  Also, where can I get a replacement lens?

Thanks,

Vic

12

Main Message Board / Water Pump Impeller

« on: December 18, 2014, 08:33:50 AM »

   Surprise is a 1987 Mark I Catalina 34 with the M25XP engine.  The engine is fitted with an Oberdorfer raw water pump. I am trying to find an inexpensive source for an impeller for the Oberdorfer pump.

Thanks,

Vic

13

Main Message Board / Cold Cranking Amps for M25XP

« on: July 02, 2013, 06:20:40 AM »

I am considering replacing the electrical panel in Surprise a 1987 Catalina 34.  As part of this change, I would also replace the main battery switch.  To select the correct switch, it would be helpful to know the cold cranking amps of the M25XP.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows the current draw of the starting motor.

Thanks,

Vic

14

Main Message Board / Navigation Light

« on: May 28, 2013, 01:43:25 PM »

Has anyone had to re-wire the navigation light mounted on the bow rail?  If so, how did you get the wire through the rail?

Thanks,

Vic

15

Main Message Board / Reacher/Drifter

« on: January 16, 2013, 08:42:14 AM »

Does anyone know the dimensions that a reacher /drifter headsail should have for a Catalina 34 with a keel-stepped mast.  Surprise is a standard (not tall) rig. I need to know the luff, leach and foot dimensions.

Thanks,

Vic