Messages

Just to let you know we had a Catalina 34 on Lake Erie a couple weeks ago burn to the water line. Taking the boat out for sea trials, the instrument panel caught on fire. 4 people in the water survived but had hypothermia. Don't know but am guessing the Glow plug button. Big wires that come straight from the battery. Charlie

Had 1986 M25 in Lake Erie lost engine coolant every winter. Filled it up and ran all summer without topping it off. Never really figured it out, I did suspect the engine to coolant pump gasket.

Your sending unit is bad just take it out and replace with a new one. Done it a few times. They never seem to last. I usually take the wall off in the aft cabin. Charlie

flexible coupling doing solve vibration problems. They might help a little bit but the root problem is still there. Charlie

Sailboatlisting.com works good and is cheaper than most. I just recently sold mine but did it with a for sale sign.

Another place to look the electric fuel pump has a screen in side it. I have seen mine it was terrible. Charlie

Did you change the prop if your over pitched it will go slow and smoke. If not its fuel that's all a diesel has. Small micron filters are trouble seen it before. Charlie

Had the same problem had to put new rollers in the big wheel . does it make a noise when you turn it. Charlie

Check valve took all mine out they rarely work properly. Not necessary in a Catalina 34 Charlie

Easy way is stand at the mast and eye ball the sail groove it will tell you where you are at port to starboard. Also if your backstay is too loose the mast will pump at the dock in strong winds. Charlie

Some of the mast base had wood inside them. Depends on the year. Charlie

Dave do you get a small amount of rain water to collect on the starboard set in the cockpit. Charlie

I have Hull 95 1986 and have a water tank under the V-berth.  Also one in the main cabin. I get a little rain water on my starboard seat in the cockpit . I heard they moved the water tank aft to correct the problem. Charlie

I have the same problem all summer I don't loose any antifreeze. Ever winter I loose it all. Mine comes from a bolt on the antifreeze circulation pump. just fill up ever summer every things good.  Charlie

the most important is changing it. I let mine go for a couple years it changed color to gray. That is not good I used a small pump on my drill motor to suck it out. Had to do it more than once to get it clear. If you can go in reverse not forward your clutch  pads are gone . Charlie