Messages

Julian,

We purchased a new MK 11 in July of 2006, equipped similar to what you are looking for. We purchased new because we could not find a late model boat in the Pacific Northwest. Shipping a late model MK11 from California and adding options that were included in the new boat was more money, it was an easy decision for us.

The battery charger went out after 30 days and was replaced under warranty. We also had some hoses to tighten up and one to replace. The windlass started leaking last year and also was fixed under warranty. No other issues or problems with the boat. We also added an ESPAR diesel hot water heater to the boat, it heats the boat in 20 degree weather.

Our friends bought a used 2004 C350 in new condition shortly after we bought the C34. They had alot of trouble handling the boat, too large and freeboard was an issue, they sold it and bought a C310 which they both love. Get on different boats to see if they are right for you, you will know when you have found the right one.

Good luck finding the right C34, and as others have said don't hesitate, you will love the boat.

PS.... It is veryyyyyy easy for a couple to handle, and yes we love the low freeboard.

We missed you Jack......and your right fleet 5 is so disciplined....LOL.

Tony,

The link below will take you to the site where you can order the pump. We ordered the PHC LBA as our toilet was the headmate compact. Our bowl and seat fit fine on the new pump. I have 2 friends that have both replaced their Jabsco's after seeing how well the Raritan works. Their wives are now much happier.

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detail.htm?group=1357&cat=1002

I have corrected my post from cutlass bearing to stuffing box.....That's what happens when you post late at night 1/2 a sleep and cut and paste.....LOL

Our hull numbers are only 6 apart, I can't imagine his boat does not have the same drain hole that mine has at the back of the engine pan, unless someone at Catalina did not drill one, or low enough. If there is a hole I would make sure it is not plugged. Most of the water evaporates before ever going to the bilge on my boat.

I am looking forward to adding the Gore packing next month when I pull her to paint the bottom.

Bill,

I say BS, not a design defect. I have 2006 MK11 and have a drain hole to drain the water from the dripping stuffing box. My limber hole only allows about 1/2" of water maybe a pint of water. I have never got water from this area in the galley area.

If your getting more than a few drips a minute your stuffing box probably needs tightening. I tightened mine for the first time this spring. I plan on pulling the boat out next month for bottom paint and will replace the packing with the packing (gore) Ron and others have recommended. You can tighten the gore packing down so that there are no drips from your packing.

Tony,

To break the anchor out I just rap the chain around the cleat in the locker (the cleat is very large). Works very well, no slippage and anchor comes free.

Tony,

We also heard the same thing in talking to the Maxwell rep., do not use the windlass to break out the anchor.

We always use the cleat in the locker to tie off the anchor. We also use the boat to free the anchor.

I believe I just had a bad seal that failed after 2 years.

Serge...

Sorry I was not clear, 2 separate issues.

The oil you see is 90W gear oil and is leaking out of the seal between the motor and the windlass. This is the seal that I had replaced under warranty, and leaked under the v-birth. You can get to the bottom of the windlass and electric motor by pulling the wood panel in the front of the v-birth.

The grease I spoke about was for the clutch on top. When I released the clutch it would catch because of old dry grease, cleaning the assembly and adding new grease solved that problem.

Tom...strange enough I just arrived at the boat and find a little film of some oily stuff floating  in the bilge.
Traced it up to the bow.  Underneath the V berth there was a little streak of some yellowish liquid comming down. The only oil in the bow is the windlass.
Strange that this morning I was reading you post and a few hours later I find my windlass leaking.
Now You have mentioned that you talked to the Maxell rep and he said to grease it!!! when you had oil that came out of the unit.
Or is it that the grease melted down under heavy sun (we had in the last  week or two) and leaked on the floor?
Can you help since I am confused...about oil and grease.
Thanks

Mike,

The link below will take you to the Lattitudes and Attitudes site where we purchased ours. We have recommended these to 3 other couples, they have all bought and can't believe the difference in anchoring.

They are called marriage savers......LOL
Best $60.00 you will ever spend on the boat.

http://www.seafaring.com/shipstore/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=marriage+savers&x=27&y=8

Ken Juul addition.  They are also available at www.cruisingsolutions.com

Tony,

We had the same problem with lowering the anchor that you are expressing. I was looking into adding the down control becuse the clutch had to be so loose the chain would fly out.

After finding the oil leak and talking to the Maxwell rep he had a suggestion for us. He said Maxwell recommends you grease the windlass at least once a year, twice in harsh conditions. I pulled the clutch and in 10 minutes had everything greased. It made a huge difference in letting the anchor out. The electric up/down solution with the remote will be a great addition if you move forward with it. Let us know how it goes.

I concur with your comment about the 2 way headsets. We bought a set this spring and used them almost every day on our 3 week cruise to the Canadian Gulf Islands.
For $60.00 the safety they provide in anchoring or getting a mooring buoy is a no brainer. Also the Admiral does not yell anymore........I am the quiet one.......LOL.

The MK11 standard is a foot operated up switch only.

I contacted Maxwell and was told the reversing solenoid would be required. Price for the parts quoted was $200.00-250.00. You might find the parts cheaper through a 3rd party.

I decided for the little effort it is lowering my anchor and chain it was not worth making the change. I can control the speed at which the anchor and chain drop with the windlass.

Also I had to have my windlass rebuilt under warranty this spring as a seal went out and dumped all of the gear oil onto the V-birth. Luckily we had some packaging under the v-birth mattress so the oil did not ruin the mattress..... very very sticky oil (gear lube).

My fluxgate for the auto is also located in the bilge area, and has worked fine for the last 3 years

Our 2006 MK11 had a headmate head in it and worked well up until this spring. I had a rebuild kit that I purchased 2 years ago so I rebuilt it in April thinking I would get another 2-3 years out of it. In june we spent 3 weeks on the boat in the Gulf Islands and the pump was getting weaker by the day, when we got back I started researching heads and found out the headmate was discontinued. Peggy on sailboatowners.com recommended a Raritan PHC pump and using our Headmate bowl and seat. We ordered the PHC pump 3 weeks ago and installed the new pump last week. The new pump fit great and covered all but one of the original mounting holes of the headmate. All hoses fit without any changes. It was almost a direct replacement for the headmate.

I wish I would of made this change at the first sign of the Headmate failing as the Admiral loves the ease of pumping the Raritan PHC. We are also using much less water flushing the head so our tank goes longer between pumpouts. This has been the best $250.00 we have spent on the boat, I highly recommend this change at the first sign of head problems.

Cat 34 MKII Hull 1760, M35B factory 3 blade fixed prop.

2200 RPM.......  .6-.7 gal.    6.6 knots
2400 RPM.......  .7-.8 gal.    6.9 knots
2600 RPM.......  .8-.9 gal.    7.2 knots

Add .1-.2 in chop or waves over 2-3 feet.

We hang ours on the second rung of the swim ladder, with a cooler underneath. It makes a great seat behind the helm for the wife.