Messages

Hey Wingman
We're neighbors!!  I'm at HH, blue dock 20.  Your at the new "south" location.  Formerly, Sailing Emporium.

To see your fuel tank level (gauge needle reading) the key must be on (also the alarm will beep).  When key is off, the needle will show ZERO.  So when refueling, I need to listen to the alarm beep.

Greetings Wingman.  As you can see, our boats must be siblings as the hull numbers are only 6 apart.  We probably were in the plant "neonatal" room together!!  Where do you sail?

I'm guessing there is no metal in or near that hanging locker?

Is there an external fluxgate compass for the unit?  Do you know where it might be mounted?  There might be a yellow sticker somewhere on the boat telling you where it is (if the installer put something to show where it's hidden).  If you have a tool box, or something that causes compass interference, sitting next to the compass, that might be the problem.

Sounds like a shredded belt. Mine did the same thing.

When you check the level of the fluid you are not supposed to thread the dipstick all the way down. You just rest it on top without screwing it in. If you checked the level  by totally screwing in the dipstick you may have under filled the fluid. Since you say this is the first time you changed it my thought is you may have checked the level this way.

Hi Jim...  We put down a small plastic stool.  Just like in this picture.

The bottom line is the ONE vent, through the stanchion, does not do anything with allowing air (i.e. oxygen) into the tank.  Peggie advised me to route my second line forward, at a 45 degree angle (not straight up from the tank to the rub rail).  That's why I ran it forward toward the bow and exited the hull where the cabinet is on the v-berth port side, just below the rub rail (if you remove the screws along the frame, that cabinet comes out in one piece, exposing the hull).  The hull flares in at that point, as opposed to amidships, where that area could be in the water when heeling.  She said leave the stanchion vent alone since more venting is better than less.  If anything that would help with cross ventilation.  Here's a picture.  You can see the vent right below the rub rail, where the toe rail splits.

I have a second holding tank vent placed right below the rub rail, port side.  Exits the hull about were the closet is in the v-berth.  It's well above any heeling angle.  It's placed forward so as the boat moves, it will push any air going in into the tank.  This was advised by Peggie Hall, expert in waste management. 

Well, the best thing to do with your holding tank vent is to provide two vents for cross ventilation.  This provides oxygen in the tank to promote aerobic bacteria (as opposed to anaerobic, which is what causes the smell).  A high thru hull for the second vent is what is advised.  I did that on my tank.  If your tank is on the same side of this thru hull, you might want to re-purpose the hole.

I've personally never sailed on a C350.  Just going with the feedback I had with a fellow that works for a Catalina dealer that I speak to often.  He has sailed many Catalina boats (along with others) for many years.  His impression is there are other models that will sail better.  Can't remember the specifics, but it just stuck in my head that it wasn't the top of the crop.  I don't think that model had that long of a run. 

Clenhart
You can raise the back end of the dodger by adding an adjustable eye end.  I did that to my dodger, not so much to raise because of clearance (however it was one benefit), but to tighten up the front end of the windows because they were sagging.  By adding this and shifting some of the other poles, my dodger windows are much more taught.  I suppose whoever put my frame together made things a little too loose.  Sailrite sells these, but you can find them other places.

John,
It appears with the anchor in place, the anchor will be further forward of the bow pulpit.  Some marinas include any other items attached to the boat like a swim platforms, the dinghy attached to the davit, to the overall length and not only the "length" of the boat model (i.e. Catalina "34").  A 28ft. power boat with a swim platform is much longer than 28 feet.

By the way, it's interesting that you want to move out of your trawler since I seem to remember it wasn't that long ago that you switched over.  Any of your other options instead of a C34 would be good boats, except the 350.  I spoke to a dealer friend a number of years ago at the boat show and it's not considered one of the stellar boats Catalina designed.  Since you have an issue with overall length, have you considered a Catalina model in the 30-32 foot range?  I've been on "newer" Catalina models in that range and the new designs have a lot of room inside, certainly good for a couple with a few guests on board.

I've never seen a problem with the location of the unit.  During the season, I leave the fridge on 24/7.