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Topics - melp64

#1
My original plan was to revamp my CNG stove to a propane stove. The stove is really in good shape I don't think the PO ever used it. But after doing a lot of research switching out the orifices and installing new thermocouples on the all the burners to bring it up to nautical safety rules plus build a vented propane locker, I am weighing out different options. I could buy a induction stove top for 148.00 and and airfryer/oven for 189.00. I have always planned on installing solar panels and a inverter, my question is how many battery's will this take to run this. 
#2
Main Message Board / winter projects
September 17, 2023, 08:02:24 AM
Hard to believe it is almost time to cover the boat for a second time. I am starting to pull items out of the boat that I will be able to work on over the winter. First one is the CNG stove I have found another 2 burner propane stove and oven and this winter I am going to try to convert it to propane, if it doesn't work I will be no worse off. If it does then Ill build a propane locker. I like the one on this site but maybe a two cylinder?
Before I cover I need to have all the plywood cut for the countertops, I'll bring these home also as I want to try to make white epoxy countertops. I almost have all of the teak trim pieces refinished already, and will need to reattach when the countertops are complete. My big hold up is the bathroom bulkhead, there is so much damage from water that half of it is rotten I plan on cutting out the rotten areas tab in new half in plywood, all the areas in the bathroom I am going to install new FRP board. This will make the bathroom look brand new. I wish I had two more month of weekends that would make it for sure that I will splash next year. With the bathroom and all the countertops that were rotten its looking like next year splash may be a dream.
#3
Main Message Board / from the worst to silky grey.
September 10, 2023, 03:31:02 PM
When I first bought the boat I thought the bottom was going to be the largest project on the boat, so I thought. It was a long weekend but I'm pretty proud of how the bottom turned out. It started out looking like a 100 year old house to having it media blasted, completely sanding the whole bottom with 80 grit, cutting out the catalina smile fixing it and fairing that area and the keel.
This weekend started with washing the bottom, then cleaning it with acetone, taping off the waterline and putting two coats of barrier coat.
#4
Main Message Board / Water tank venting.
August 28, 2023, 07:30:13 AM
For the last few months, I have been tearing apart the saloon and the galley, and the saloon and the nav station areas. All of this because the PO didn't maintain the vents of the water tanks that are vented thru the stanchions on the deck. I don't ever want to have to do this again Is there a different way to vent these tanks beside going thru the deck were leaking is possible. Couldn't the vent hose go up to the bottom of the deck and then loop down to the bilge? I am guessing that the hose goes to the stanchion so it you over fill it the water would exit out the stanchion.
#5
Main Message Board / Just an update
August 22, 2023, 03:31:15 PM
I have had a few ask me to update the project. I had some of the best news so far, a buddy of mine who is a diesel mechanic stopped by the boat and check the motor and transmission. With a fully charged battery and 2 turns of the key the motor fired right up and purrs like a kitten. He did suggest replacing all the hoses as some of them are showing their age. He also said the hoses that go to the water heater have been put in a loop and is bypassing the heater (not sure why??)
After the media blasting I have sanded the hull and fixed the Catalina smile. I ordered barrier coat this week and I am hoping to paint the hull this weekend. I don't think its possible for me to do the barrier coat and the bottom paint in one weekend so I will have to sand the bottom again next weekend and then do the bottom paint.
The V berth has all the woodwork completed and the insides of the compartments are painted. I still want to paint under the bed but that seems like a good rainy day project.
Aft cabin has been cleaned and all the panels and running trim has been completed. Me and the wife have decided to put mattresses in the v berth and the aft cabin.
Working on the saloon at present I have the bulkheads varnished and running trim completed I took out the paneling above the sliding glass doors and not sure if I am going to replace them.
whats left besides a really long list Basic. Galley replace countertops and divider that was ruined by water same with the other side by the nav station. And of course the head, I only have the door varnished. And of course the fun stuff all the plumbing and electric.

I am thinking about trying epoxy countertops for the kitchen and the small counters in the v berth and aft cabin I have these all finished already but i think I can put it right over the formica.
And probably the most disgusting thing I have ever done was cleaning the bilge that had water in it for 4 years everything was slimy at least 1/4 thick. I plan on sanding the bilge and then paint, but every time I get ready to sand more water found its way back in I'm told it comes from the mast. For only working on the weekends I'm pretty happy with the progress.
#6
Main Message Board / Plumbing questions
August 13, 2023, 05:20:42 PM
As I am working my way thru this boat I will never be able to drink a glass of water from this system as it has to be the nastiest I have ever seen. Every line seems like it is a garden hose or some kind of a plastic water line. I have a garden hose that runs from the anchor locker under the v berth thru the hanging closet all the way to all the lines under the galley sink. I attached some pictures of below the galley sink and the garden hose running thru the hanging closet. Can anyone tell me what the black plastic things are in the first picture, there is several of them in the galley sink area. The second picture shows a clear plastic filter?? that is all cracked which I have no idea what it is for. The third picture shows some shut off valves (white) the pressure pump and a foot pump I think operates the icebox. The fourth picture shows the garden hose running thru the hanging locker.Any information would be appreciated. Also how does the sink drain it looks like it is directly hooked up to a thru hull.
#7
Main Message Board / Dock rash, Paint or gelcoat
July 30, 2023, 05:36:44 PM
I have always figured on painting the bottom barrier coat and paint by myself I was hoping to have a buddy of mine that is a professional painter paint the top part of the hull. I was told that the marina does not allow any spray painting of the boats as they paint boats. So I am left with painting the part of the boat that everyone can see myself. I thought that maybe I could buff off the oxidation and wax it, until I remembered the dock rash. So I have 3 choices  1. fair out the rash and paint the boat my self. 2. try fixing the gelcoat, then buff and wax. 3. have the marina fix and paint the boat.
3 isn't a very good option for me, I can easily fair all the rash out it is the painting I am nervous about. Have any of you ever fixed that much dock rash how did you do it and did you paint or match the gelcoat.
#8
I can't wait for the weekend, I was able to arrange to have the bottom of my boat media blasted. I think this could have been one the the largest jobs of refitting this boat. My question is a lot of the boats here in Michigan use VC17 for their bottom paint. How long will this last and if I was to start the loop and go towards salt water would I have to remove the VC17 to repaint it with bottom paint that would be good for salt water. After the media blast do I need to first clean everything then put a barrier coat paint before the bottom paint or the VC17??
#9
Main Message Board / Black soot and cleaning
July 06, 2023, 01:43:29 PM
As I am refinishing the interior the more I notice black soot in the head and aft cabin. Is there a specific item on the exhaust that would be the most area that would leak. Has anyone had to clean soot off the fiberglass what did they use
#10
Main Message Board / Marble or solid surface
June 06, 2023, 03:27:53 PM
I was planning on installing a solid surface for the galley and bathroom countertops. I had a vendor that very graciously offered to put marble tops in the boat at a price no one would refuse. This marble is only 15/16 thick so it not as heavy as a full 1.5 thick countertop. I am wondering if anyone has ever done this, and does anyone think the weight might be an issue. For the galley top marble to solid surface is a difference of 70 lbs, the bathroom would be about 20lbs difference. 
#11
Main Message Board / water leak by galley
May 01, 2023, 06:22:34 PM
I Google a lot of the interior pictures to see different ideas and what my boat should look like. One thing I notice is in most of the pictures that show the wood divider between the galley and the salon is most have a leak by the 110 outlet. You can tell because the paneling is gray were it meets the divider. Mine has leaked so much or rather neglected the divider needs to be replaced. I opened the two covers that are in the salon and there is some kind of hose that runs thru there is this the problem or is it leaking from the deck. It must be a common problem as you can see it in some degree in almost every picture
#12
Now that the weather is starting to warm up I have been able to make it out to the boat for the last two weekends. Each time I go I end up adding to the list that I posted a while ago. last trip I was looking at some of the wood trim on the outside of the boat. I'm not sure if all 34's have the small 3/4 half round trim on the cabin, mine does but it would have to be replaced. so my question is has anyone ever taken that trim off and did you replace it or what would it take to just leave it off?
#13
Well since the weather has warmed up a bit I have been able to start working on my long list of things to get done. I have read most of the info on this forum and of course u tube, but sometimes you get 5 different videos on the same thing. So my Question is I am going to spend the money to have the bottom of my boat soda blasted, If the boat is only in fresh water is the only thing needed is the NC17? Or do I need a barrier coat primer first.
Or would it be best to use a bottom paint and does that need the barrier coat primer first?
#14
Main Message Board / Spring and summer to do list
February 26, 2023, 06:37:49 PM
Well buying the boat in the fall gives you a lot of time to think of thing to work on in the spring in summer. I would like to get the boat weather tight so I don't have water problems when I'm doing interior work. If anyone has more suggestion let me know and I'll add them to the list.
#15
Main Message Board / LPG
February 16, 2023, 04:53:16 AM
Reading a lot of article here on this website seem like folks aren't fond of having propane on the boat. I was looking for a small refrigerator that uses AC/DC/LP. Is having lp gas on a boat a bad thing. I know the stove on the boat right now is gas. Do you think a refrigerator that uses gas would be a bad idea. I was thinking of building it in underneath the nav desk.
#16
Main Message Board / whats under the floor
February 05, 2023, 04:37:54 PM
I've only had my boat since august and within months had to wrap it up for the winter. Since then I have been refinishing all the doors drawers and any of the frames I could get off the boat. I am missing the flooring in the aft cabin and in the galley. I have the main cabin and the V berth and Nav station. The galley and the aft cabin looks like it will be a 1/2 thick. The main cabin I'm guessing is 3/4? My wife didn't seem that impressed with the teak and holly floor that is in the boat now and wants something that would match closer to the wood work.
So here is the info I'm looking for.
1. How thick are the panels in each section?
2. How they held in place. (screw thru the face?)
3. Whats under the large pc of flooring in the main cabin?
4. How deep is the bilge in the middle panels under the table?
I know these seem like simple questions but because I cant get back into the boat I need to ask
#17
Main Message Board / Front hatch
January 04, 2023, 04:22:00 AM
On my boat my front hatch is solid (no window) Has anyone ever taken the fiberglass one out and replaced it with a glass one. Or is there a way that I could add glass to the existing hatch.Is it worth the time and effort?
#18
Main Message Board / Portlight size
December 16, 2022, 01:01:25 PM
Does any know the exact size of the portlights on a 1987 Catalina 34 (Lewmar)? They are opening but the glass is all cracked looking and I need new seals. My boat is covered for the winter and I'm trying to get parts for the spring. I have six that have the latch and two in the aft cabin that have knobs that tighten. I also have one that was installed above the galley stove.

thanks
#19
Main Message Board / waterbased or oilbased
December 05, 2022, 06:11:12 AM
I have read and watched more videos on teak oil, oilbased varnish, waterbased varnish. There must be thousands of options on which to use. Oilbased varnish is about 115.00 dollars a gallon, which is easily found. Waterbased I cannot find anywhere even at a paint store. After all the videos and articles I have read this is what I know, Oilbase you have to use thinner to clean up and it leaves an amber tint to the finish. Waterbased cleans up with water and leaves a clear finish. If I use the oilbase am I really going to notice the amber tint from it??
#20
Main Message Board / flooring
October 14, 2022, 04:08:52 PM
Trying to find out what most are installing in their boats
#21
Main Message Board / Cabin sole
October 14, 2022, 02:35:29 PM
Has anyone made new cabin sole panels. The ones that I have now are moldy and stained. The small section that goes by the mast is broken and I don't believe is all there. I was thinking of using 3/4 birch plywood and routering in the grooves, staining and finishing the top then caulk the grooves and then more finish. I planned to epoxy the bottom. I've watched a lot of videos some use LVT flooring or lament flooring. I've also seen the videos on the fake teak flooring. Is there a trend in the flooring
#22
Main Message Board / Removing boom for winter storage
October 14, 2022, 02:13:23 PM
This is the first time covering my boat for the winter. I am leaving the mast up, but is it OK to remove the boom? If I remove the boom I will be able to put a tarp over the cockpit and wrap around the mast. This will cover most of the port lights and the one hatch. I plan on running a rope from the mast to the back of the boat for the tarp to hang over. If anyone has a easier or better way I am open to suggestions
#23
Main Message Board / refinishing the interior
October 02, 2022, 06:31:40 AM
Has anyone ever removed all the trim sanded it down, then reinstalled it, plug the fasteners and then stained and varnished. I know I can take all the drawers and doors and sand them all down at home but I was wondering about the frames and the panels. Id love to just refinish all of it off the boat. But you still have to plug and sand so I don't see that working.
I'm hoping someone else did this and has a good system

#24
Main Message Board / New C34 owner
September 27, 2022, 04:23:28 AM
hello
I just purchased a 1986 catalina 34. It was used to teach college students how to sail. all the cushions will have to be replaced, cabin sole will have to be remade, and all the trim needs to have a finish put on. I think the trim is the largest project, besides the bottom paint.
Does anyone have a list of what might have come standard on a new 34?
As I have never sailed I apologize ahead of time as my terms may not as a long term sailer