Messages

I am moving from the wet locker to the space under the V berth to gain storage space.  The control for the unit is a Cruisair three knob panel with a bourdon tube and relay box.  I would like to replace the knobs with a programable thermostat sytem.  The retrofit kit from Cruisair is around $600.  I am considering building my own relay box.  Has anyone fabricated their on thermostat / relay system to replace the older control system?

Steve DeLange

Prior to 1989 and some of the early 1898 C34's had a sternrail that had 4 posts and the center rail went all the way around.  The later 1989 C34 had two piece stern rail with 3 posts each and no center rail in the back attaching the two sides.  This is similar to the 1990 setup except the ladder is different.  (See Attached).  I have a 1986 and i want to install a two piece sternrail, but Catalina parts needs the measurements from a boat that has the two piece unit.  When I tell them Iwhat I wanted to do, the parts person said it couldn't be done because the mounting would be different.  I realize the holes won't align and that doesn't present a real problem as I will modify the hull as necessary to fit the rail.  I would just like to do it before we paint the boat.

Steve E. DeLange

I am still trying to find someone with a late 1989 Catalina 34 with a split stern rail (see attached photo) so I can get the dimensions of the bases.  Catalina parts says they can't build one without the measurements.  A local shop wanted 4K.  Anyone know where I can find one?

Steve DeLange

Ron:

The cover portion ot the Step/Motor Cover is 3/4 plywood.  I am having to rebuild my cover also due to years of scuffs and stains

How soon are you going to need it?  I am refrubishing my interior and fabricating some custome cabinets.  I will be picking up several sheets of 1/2 and 3/4 teak plywood and will likely have come 3/4 left.  I would be a long shipment though from Houston to Seattle/Tacoma.

Everywhere I cut through my liner floor for repairs or access there was a plywood underlayment on the liner.       

Ron:

Thanks for the improved description.  We have ground all the delaminated glass from the beam.  The other beams seem to be intact.  I am still concerned how to dry the wood sufficiently without removing the floor and the remaining glass covering the wood.  A big problem is the boat is currently sitting under a plastic cover with all the windows and fittings removed being prepared for paint.  I think I am going to have to wait until the paint is finished and all the hardware reinstalled so I can heat the inside of the boat to dehumidify it. 

Steve

While sealing and torquing the keel bolts, I discovered the fiberglass surrounding the floor beam under the mast had delaminated on the aft side.  We cut off some of the glass and found the most of the aft side was completely separated.  The good news is the wood is not rotten.  The bad news is the wood is very wet.  Any good ideas about drying out the wood?  How dry should it be before we reapply the fiberglass?

Steve DeLange

You never said how you get the engine started when warm.  Do you have to wait until it cools? Is it every time or occasionally?  When it fails to turn over, is there a significant voltage drop?  If you you do not have a connection problem, you could have a starter that has a winding that open when hot.

Steve DeLange

Stephen:
There is not a lot of dry storage of sailboats in this part of the county.  What land is available is used by boatyards for maintenance.  There are a couple of places around Clear Lake that people store their boats, but I think they are restricted to boats that load/unload from trailers as they do not have a lift. You might call Marsh Marine @ 281-334-7488.  That is where I have my C34 while I am reworking it.  He can carry your boat from the lift and lower the cradle at his yard, but it is really full.  He might can move it to a local lot somewhere that has space.  How long are you going to have your boat out of the water?

Steve DeLange

Where are you stopping in the Houston area?  Most marinas are around Clear Lake which is on the west side of Galveston Bay.  Keeping on the hard cost nearly as much as in the water in this area.  Another consideration is how long are you going to be out of the water?

Doubt I put anyone to shame, I just had farther to go.

The rewire is likely as I am also installing new Raymarine sailing instruments, S1 autopilot, C80 chartplotter and VHF 240.  Rewire should be easy as the boat has been gutted.  An alternative I am considering is installing a NMEA2000 module to send engine data to C80 display.  That would mean I would only need to install switches and indicator lights which would fit on the C80/VHF navpod.

The shutoff cable is not a major issue as I am installing an electric shutoff solenoid.  While it is possible to install it in parallel with the shutoff cable, I don't really see the need as the lever on the motor is not difficult to access.

I regards to paint, the entire boat is beint repainted.  All of the fittings, stanchions, tracks, and woodwork have been removed for refurbishment or replacement and we will start repairing the surface flaws Monday in preparation for paint.

As far as photos, there are not many of the disassembly because my camera was being repaired. (My wife decided to check the carryon that contained the camera case on our return trip from Europe and the bags ended up traveling for 7 more days to places unknown.  Camera returned damp and inoperable.) I will start obtaining photos of the mods and reassembly. 

Steve

Post 1994/95 Catalina started installing the engine control panel on the pedestal.  Has anyone retrofitted an older C34 with a pedestal mounted engine panel?  I am considering the upgrade and i would like to fill the existing engine panel hole when we start painting the boat next week. 

Jeff, No problem with pictures. Currently the boat is stripped of everything (tanks, plumbing, woodwork, windows, engine, etc).  We cut the liner to take the step out that held the shelf on each side.  We will be reshaping the liner tomorrow to match the hull contour, so the windows will fir properly.  As I start cutting and installing items, I will take pictures.