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Topics - Jeff Tancock

#1
Main Message Board / Loss of RPM
May 14, 2019, 07:06:13 AM
Looking for some thoughts and group wisdom regarding my engine's poor behavior.
I have a 25XP. Owned over 25 years.
It has always run the same. It's always been hard to start. Full throttle in gear has always been 2600RPM pushing boat at approx. 6.5 knots depending on condition of the bottom.
Full throttle in neutral has been 3200 RPM.
Took her out for a spin recently. Still hard to start, full throttle in neutral is 2800 and in gear 2100. boat speed 5.4 knots. Had this problem at end of last year but it might be a bit worse. Not sure.
Something is definitely wrong.
Hauled last year so shouldn't be the problem. Fuel pump ticks away as usual and I have been told (or read) that these old pumps either work or not...not in between.
No big smoke to indicate injectors.
Recently replaced both water pumps.
Suggestions??????
#2
I am determined to finally get at the icebox and improve the insulation.
I've read everything on this site at least a couple of times.
I will remove the counter if it will allow me to see what I am doing rather than blindly spraying foam, but not if it is a waste of time.
Some say when the counter is off the access around the box is the same, Ron says good access to the starboard side/hull void.
My boat is a 1988 (hull #630). If you are anywhere near me and have removed your counter, what did you see?
Thanks for any thoughts regarding the galley counter and other icebox insulation strategies!
Jeff
#3
Main Message Board / Fuel issues???
June 26, 2017, 09:53:04 AM
I'm looking for some thoughts......
After finding a leak in my fuel tank, I removed, repaired and replaced it. I used the boats fuel pump to empty the tank and then refill the tank from buckets in the cabin. I had trouble priming the pump at first but eventually got it done. Then I had trouble bleeding and starting the engine, but got it done.
Now I am having some trouble getting the boat up to full speed. Normally full throttle is 2600RPM and 6 to 6.7 knots depending on the bottom. This weekend when I put the throttle on I could get no more than 2200RPM and about 5 knots. I thought maybe the cables, all ok. I thought maybe really dirty bottom or prop. I can see that the rudder and its not bad.
The thing is that the fuel pump is really going fast when I turn on the power. It slows a bit but is still clicking 3-4 times a second. Seems too is much going on there. I went through the bleeding at the fuel filter on the engine again but it's still clicking excessively.
I can't find any other leaks or loose fittings. It seems to be a fuel supply issue.
I'm wondering if there is air trapped somewhere else that needs to be bled or if there is something wrong with my fuel pump. Do these pumps act like this when they are dying?
Any thoughts appreciated.
#4
Main Message Board / candlewax and nonskid
March 31, 2014, 09:43:06 AM
Anyone else make the mistake of spilling hot candle wax on the nonskid?
If so, how did you get it off?
Silly problem, dumb question!
Thanks for any ideas....roasting allowed!
#5
Main Message Board / temperature sensor for charger
January 27, 2014, 07:56:57 AM
I just replaced a 20 y.o. Statpower Truecharge 40 with a Xantrex Truecharge 20+. I think that these are basically the same unit but a name and color change after Xantrex took over Statpower. Don't know details...
My question is related to the temp sensor. I tried in vain to drag the new temp sensor through the channel followed by the old sensor by taping it to the old one and pulling. No way.
I kept thinking that they are probably interchangeable.
Anyone know if it is fine to just use the old sensor. The new one looks fancier but not sure if it's any different.
#6
Main Message Board / No power!
October 21, 2013, 08:04:08 AM
After a boys sailing weekend I went to start up the trusty old 25xp to get back to the slip and nothing! No nothing...
Luckily the only boat out in the cold foggy afternoon was a 26' Tolley with a knowledgeable tow driver who kindly escorted us back to our slip. There was no time to investigate as 2 crew had to run fast. One for a ferry the other for a flight.
So now I'm thinking....why no power? Turning the key.....zippo. No gauges, no lights on the engine panel, no glow and obviously no start.
Sore power charges fine, batteries are fine, house functions seemed fine (lights, pumps etc.)
So before I go out to the boat next time I would appreciate some thoughts from experienced or other knowledgeable forum members....

What are you initial thoughts. Where would you start and how would you proceed?

The boat is a 1988 (#630) 25xp. Wiring harness (not including the solenoid) was done shortly after I bought the boat 15 years ago (1998). Still using standard wiring set up with 1-2-all-off switch. Batteries (2X6V house, 12V Group 27 back up) are new last year. Never had any trouble other than the chronic sluggish start up. I've visually checked terminals, grounds connections, etc. over the years and never found any obvious trouble.
Time to delve into the wiring and figure it out I guess! My season here in the Pacific Northwest has come to an end so I now have lots of time....

Thanks for any thoughts and/or any shared experience....
#7
I have a large crack in my tinted glass port above the galley, gooped with silicone for now. It's on the "to do very soon"  list.
I have read the Tech Wiki info.
Looks like Catalina goes without the screws that are there? Any new or helpful info from anyone who has replaced these fixed windows would be greatly appreciated....
#8
Main Message Board / Help... anchor rode tie off?
May 13, 2013, 09:58:27 AM
I had a new anchor roller installed due to insurance claim (not my fault). Now that I have looked at it I realize that the new anchor roller makes my centre cleat unusable to tie off the anchor rode with getting chewed up on it's sharp edge. Any ideas for a new strategy? Cleat in the anchor locker? Some sort of fairlead to route around the roller's edge and back to the cleat? Any thoughts appreciated....
#9
Main Message Board / Deck thickness at bow?
May 09, 2013, 05:10:50 PM
Anyone know the thickness of the deck at the bow of a Mark I (1988)? I am thinking of installing an anchor lock aft of my bow roller and possibly a pair of cleats and it would be nice to know the thickness before I start drilling. Thanks
#10
Main Message Board / LOA
June 06, 2011, 09:31:44 AM
Does anyone know the LOA of a Mark I ('88) including the pulpit? Thanks!
#11
Main Message Board / knot meter through hull leak
April 10, 2011, 05:24:16 PM
I can't find a reference, so I am reaching out to the collective knowledge base here regarding my knot meter through hull. Anyone know if Catalina installed the paddle wheel through hulls so I can access a "been there done that" guy or would it have been a dealer arranged install? My boat is an '88 (#630) and it appears that I am getting water weeping in aroung the fitting in the V-berth section of the hull. Before I attempt a repair I am looking for any comments about it...is it plastic or bronze (I can see what looks like a metal flange on the inside), is it a nut type backing that just backs out with a wrench, will I be able to just scrape away the old sealant (sikaflex?), will I need a new fitting because the old one will break, any other bits of advice before I make things worse? I need to make another scouting trip out to the boat so the more knowledge I have, the more useful it will be in planning my final assault.
Thanks for sharing any and all info and thoughts....
Jeff
#12
I know this topic has been covered several times in the past, but I'm looking for some follow up on those of you who have raised your split on a Mark I to ease the movement through the split in the backstay. How high did you go up and was it enough or was it too much? It has always irritated us ducking and squeezing through the split.
I have pulled my mast for the first time ever and thought that it was an opportune time to raise the split and do a few other things. The local rigger suggested putting  turnbuckles at the bottom of each side and going up about 10'. He wasn't really sure how high to go. Any thoughts? I did rig a backstay tensioner years ago but am willing to leave it off to get better passage.
Thanks!
#13
Main Message Board / Fuel pump done?
August 15, 2010, 05:47:44 PM
I am looking for some suggestions on a problem with my fuel supply. My inspection bowl under the primary fuel pump had lots of water in it today. I drained it off then tried to purge the air out of the system by opening the bleeder valve and turning on the key on. Fuel filled the bowl quickly but the fuel pump kept going crazy and wouldn't slow down. I kept working on it but couldn't get things to work. I tried to run the engine but it died shortly after starting as if not getting any fuel. I pulled the "out" hose from the pump and there was nothing coming out. The fliter was changed recently but I have been seperating a fair bit of water this season (another story regarding the fill cap). So I am trying to figure out if the pump is dead. It still clicks loudly as usual bit much faster......does this mean it's ok or could it be done? Is it being starved for fuel by a plugged filter of something else? Could there be some sort of airlock in the pump and it can't prime itself? I have tried to research the board quickly but I am on the run time wise and I was hoping that with all the wisdom on the board I could get some trouble shooting thoughts and ideas. The fuel gauge reads just under a half and I read with interest that it should be able to run without a pump. I plan on going out to the boat tomorrow to get it ready for a 4 day weekend with my family so time is an issue...
Thanks for any thoughts!
I have pulled the screen in the past, the fuel looks clear (no growth), I was hoping to get through this next 2 weekends then I don't mind pulling the tank etc. etc.
#14
Main Message Board / fuel issues
August 02, 2010, 09:08:04 AM
Hi All
I am having an ongoing issue with my fuel this year. I live in the Pacific NW so the boat stays in the water all year but doesn't get used in the winter. Filling the tank and using additives is standard practice for the winter hibernation. This spring I discovered water in the inspection bowl of the fuel filter. I drained it off a couple of times. Then after reading what I could in here I opened the bleed valve at the dock and ran the fuel pump for about an hour and seperated most of the rest of the water. I had very little show up as I ran the tank down. I was planning on pulling the tank out and cleaning it as I had done 5-6 years ago when I had an explosive growth of some sort in the tank, but didn't want to do it on a full tank. Things seemed fine and when I was very low I added a couple gallons (10 liters) of deisel and checked it carefully as I used it up and there was no sign of anything wrong...nice clear bowl. So I then went ahead and put in 3/4 of a tank (60 liters) thinking that I may have got off easy, but then ran into water again when motoring for a couple hours this weekend! I can't think of a water source other than the fill cap leaking when I washed down the boat. Is this possible? I checked and the cap was on tight enough that I needed the winch handle to make it budge. I checked and there is an "O" ring at the base of the threads. Should there be another washer there? Any thoughts or experience with this as an issue? Thanks in advance...
#15
I am still functioning with the Hood LD 915 furling system that came with my 1988 C34. You may have guessed. A critical little bit of a shackle stud escaped overboard while I was putting on my headsail in a rush. I am having a bit of an issue finding one locally. Any suggestions for those with experience. It is shown as part no. 5993-001 ("Shackle Stud and bushing on the halyard swivel assembly"). Thanks! :cry4`
#16
Main Message Board / AC switch for the outlets
June 19, 2007, 05:46:15 PM
I'm wondering if anyone can save me a trip to the boat and tell me what they know about the push button off/on switch for the 120 volt outlets on the electrical panel of my 1988 (#630).
A candlestick holder fell and broke off the tip of the switch and needing to get a guest to the airport I didn't have time to remove it. I am thinking that it is just a switch and not a circuit breaker and that it is probably 30 amps. Any helpful comments would be appreciated.
#17
Main Message Board / sitting on her keel
March 05, 2006, 05:39:41 PM
I now have access to a marine way....the type where the boat just rests on a grid as the tide drops. I have only had my boat lifted out of the water by a marine way so this other way makes me a bit nervous. I am wondering if anyone out there has experience using this type of way and can tell me how the boat behaves if left to rest on it's keel. Is it stable or does it want to tip forwards etc? I just want to change my zincs and clean off my shaft and prop.
#18
Main Message Board / Cabin Lighting
April 18, 2005, 11:02:59 AM
The lighting in our main salon is very poor for reading and playing games,cards etc. I've looked at lots of lighting improvement options but never felt confident enough with what I've seen to make a change. Just wondering if anyone else has found a good solution for the salon lighting with 12 volt alternatives to the off/one/two bulb lights that are mounted under the side decks of the older Mach 1 boats.
#19
Main Message Board / Fuel tank pick-up hose
September 03, 2003, 03:30:14 PM
Can anyone who has pulled the uptake tube in the deisel tank of a Mark I ('88 vintage) 34 tell me if it lies right on the bottom of the tank. Is it a soft tube or is it a hard tube with an angle cut across the bottom? How far is it from the bottom of the tank?

Thanks
#20
Main Message Board / Forward hatch leak
February 02, 2002, 04:26:02 PM
I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble with the hatch over the V-berth leaking. When we're sailing in the big ones and water comes over the foredeck we usually get a little gush of water on the V-berth cushion. Anyone figure out a simple solution?
Jeff Tancock #630 (1988)