Messages

Mike,
I'd just replace the dorades.  Shamrock is a MKII (no dorades) and I for one don't think that eliminating the dorades was an improvement.  May be just a cost cutting change.
Jim

I'm paranoid when it comes to grounding my wing keel.  Worry about the plow anchor effect.  Good to hear that Ken powers off.  What concerns me more is that the rudder is only inches shallower than the keel.  Still I would not have bought a fin keel, too limiting for cruising Lake Erie.

This was sent to me.  Thought I'd share.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=888wQhRcmjQ

Looks a lot like the toilet flange wax seals I carry (but have never used) for emergency.  About a buck at any plumbing supply.

Jim

Here in Lake Erie the advantage isn't so much sailing as it is docking.  Anything over 5 feet and your docking (cruising) options decrease. 

Sailors,
Excuse me for posting something not related to Catalina 34's.  I'm asking because I value the collective wisdom and experience of this group.
I'm thinking about building a boat this winter.  Leaning towards Chesapeake Light Craft  "Eastport Pram"

http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/wooden-sailboat-kits/eastport-pram/eastport-nesting-dinghy.html

Of course, info from them is only positive.  Has anyone done one?  Experience using one? 
Jim

The stretch would only apply to the loaded section.  Depending on how you lead your sheets and genoa size this would be a lot less than 50 feet (may be 10 feet).  And the sheet loads are not high, sheets size has as much to do with hand feel as strength.  If it feels good use it.

I use jack stands (it's our Yacht Club requirement), so this is an opinion only.  I have a wing keel,  for that I'm sure 4 pads are good.  For the finn keel if you store in a real windy location with the mast up may be 6 pads may be better.  I'd go with 2 thoughts.  One the weight is on the keel, the pads are only for balance.  More than snug on the pads is bad.  Second is that Catalina (Frank Butler) leans to over build.  If there were problems ,complaints, about the cradle I think they would have been fixed.
Jim

Back when I was looking for my next boat, I looked at a Tartan 37 with Dinghy-Tow.  The owner, a Canadian, had sailed to the Caribbean and back twice using the Dinghy-Tow, with a dog.  ie twice a day trips to shore.  Had nothing but praise for the system, claimed to leave the motor on the dinghy except very rough conditions.  I don't have first hand experience.  The unit looked well made and simple to use.
Jim
http://www.dinghy-tow.com/

My manual and the one here (pg7) claim 42gal.  may have change over the years.

Matt,
Congratulations, hope you are as happy with your C34 as I am.  A couple of months ago I installed a Xantrex tru-charge 2 20amp, I'm very happy with it.  Didn't buy the remote, didn't see that it added anything.  It did look like a great addition if the charger had a access problem.  And it's real simple to add if I change my mind.  I did buy the temp sensor.  I'll let others talk batteries.  The factory set-up works good for me.  I'm mostly at a dock.  Have gone a couple of days running lights, fridge, pumps, ect. without recharging.  Just checking the battery voltage for charge.  Battery needs are determined by how the boat is kept and used.  If you moore or anchor your needs are differnt than if you have access to shore power.
Hope this helps
Jim

Must have been the same bucket they measured the holding tank with.

I lot of "amature" shrink wrapping goes on here.  I've done quite a lot myself.  Only had one problem, was next to the oil recycling station, a gust of wind put the shrink wrap onto to oily drum, got a little oil on the shrink wrap, burned a big hole, about 3' before it stoped on its own.  Never did that again.  Now I warn about cutting the shrink wrap on a driveway or garage floor with any oil on them. 
Never known of a boat burning due to shrink wrapping. 
Jim

I'm glad I got the chance to see and tour the Bounty.  I know it was "built for Hollywood" but it gave me a real appreciation for the golden age of sail.
Sad news,
Jim

Thought I'd come in with what many Erie boaters do.  A few guys will get together and buy a shrink wrap gun and supplies, then go from boat to boat shrink wrapping.  Generally the boat owner does his own frame, then with 3 or 4 working it's about an hour a boat (if the mast is down) much more if the mast is up ( 3-4 hours).  A few years ago (I had a 30 footer) it cost me about $60 a year for shrink wrap and supplies.  Still think that it would be less than $100 to do Shamrock.
I'd suggest the first time to step the mast before shrink wrapping.  It makes it easier the first time.  And you can reuse the cover (I once got 3 years from the same cover).  Compaired to maintaince and projects that sailors from this site often do, shrink wrapping requires much less skill, just a nice fall day.
Jim

I think the investment in a cover (both time and money) depends on the winter conditions you expect.  In Erie,PA if you cover it has to be a good one.  Few if any blue tarps last the average winter.  Can do more harm than good with a cover.  Just a couple of cautions from me.  Use caution with the stantions, snow and wind loads can bend or cause the stantions to leak.  I've seen pulpits and pushpits (on other brands) bent and broken from the deck.  Most important don't ever tie a cover or tarp to jack stands.  The wind can get under the tarp and pull the jack stand out.
I have a custom made cover and sturdy frame.  Takes me a couple of hours to put it on, going to do it today.  May be I'll take it off April 1st...that's an April fools joke...doesn't happen often.
Jim