Messages

[or has something else failed in the system that I need to check out]

As I was getting ready to leave the boat this past weekend, I went to use the head and found it was not fully operational.     It would not pump water from the lake to rinse the head.  It would take the waste from the bowl to the holding tank without any problem.  I checked the thru-hull and it was not obstructed...thus, I am making the assumption there is a clog or some sort of obstruction between the thru-hull and the bowl.  Does anyone have any advice on where/how to check the line to see if there is an obstruction...or has something else failed in the system that I need to check out.  Thanks!

Thank you to everyone.  I am pleased to report I just got back from 9 days on the water and the autohelm worked flawlessly and with NO NOISE!  Before I left on my cruise, I simply rinsed out the mechanism on the wheel with some fresh water at a high pressure from the hose.  They wheel had always made some sort of noise and even that is gone.  This will not become a regular maintenance item for me each spring.  Thanks!

Thank you to everyone.  I installed my replacement propane tank and it fit great.  To be cautious, I did end up replacing the gauge, regulator and hoses as well.  I guess I was paranoid not knowing how old they were.  Great piece of mind.

I was out for a very nice sail in about 12 knots of wind this past weekend when I started to hear a noise from my steering while my autopilot was engaged.  (it may have been too stiff for the autopilot, not sure)  When the wheel turned, or when I manually turned the wheel, I heard a noise that can best be described as a soft rubbing sound. It was most certainly NOT metal on metal, but like a plastic or rubber on another surface.   I do have an Autohelm ST4000 autopilot on the wheel which I don't know the age.  The sound was most prevalent when the wheel was "under load" and not when we were sailing down wind or in lighter air.  The sound continued when I was motoring back to the marina, but at a lesser extent and not as prevalent.  No noise at all when the wheel is turned while resting in the slip.  When I got back to my slip I inspected the steering mechanism through the inspection area in the aft berth and did not find anything that looked unusual in the steering mechanisms.  I removed the compass from the binnacle and took the top off the binnacle to inspect...nothing looked unusual. 

I am now trying to figure out if the noise was coming from my autopilot or if I have something in the steering system that is failing, etc.  Has anyone experienced this or does anyone have an suggestions as what this might be or what to inspect for issues?

Also, should any lubrication or maintenance be done to the steering system?

Thanks again....Does your tank have some extra room on the diameter?  Do you think that larger size will fit?  I have found it on line from $95 to $119 range.  This looks like a very cost effective alternative.   I think I will order one this week.  Thanks!

Ron;

Thanks!  My hull is 1211 so I assume the size of your locker is the same as mine.  The specs on the 10# cylinder show the overall height of 17.25" and diameter of 9.6" accordingly....is that the same one you purchased?  They show $95...is that the right one?

Does anyone know the dimensions of the propane tank that was original to a 1992 C34?  My tank has run empty and being that it is so old, I either need to replace the tank or replace the valve...trying to determine best option for us.  I forgot to take measurements, etc. last weekend while at the boat.  I am looking at the possibility of purchasing a new tank, but smaller, so it will fit in existing locker with the new type of valve, etc.   

I have read the posts regarding this issue, but I need not see any dimensions that will fit in the existing propane locker without modifying it.  As always, any wisdom be appreciated.

I am not sure what I am missing here and maybe you are talking about something else...Catalina Direct has the entire raw water strainer for my 1992 C34...replaced it this past spring...

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1161&ParentCat=71

I hope this helps. 

Thank you for the comments.  My battery bank is recently upgraded and brand new.  I just want to be able to top batteries, or keep up as best I can with the drain on the batteries when on the hook.  At the dock I have a great charger that does the job, I just want to have something to keep me from having to run the engine more than I have too...again just weekend sails out to the Lake Erie Islands.  I don't want to invest in the larger solar panels as they are not needed under our conditions. I will give it a shot and let everyone know.

Has anyone had experience with using portable 20Watt solar chargers on their boat.  I am considering adding one to the boat to allow me to trickle charge the batteries during the day while on the hook.  This would only be for the occasional long weekend out and about, as we don't do any extended cruises more than a week at a time.  I have seen the portable ones that simply plug into the cigarette lighters and are used as a trickle charger.  I just want to do power maintenance to offset the drain from my refrigeration and to eliminate having to run the engine so much.   I have two group 27s for the house bank and one group 24 for the starting battery.

I have a 1992 C34 and I am going to convert the ice-box to refrigeration.  I have installed a new battery bank to accomodate the electrical requirements brought on by installation of refrigeration.   

Can anyone tell me how big the (cubic feet capacity) the icebox might be?

I want make sure i install the correct size capacity of compressor and plate.  If anyone can tell me dimensions and capacity, it would be appreciated. Thank you.

Paul;

I can HIGHLY recommend Doyle Detroit...ask for Karl.  The customer service there was first class...and they treated me like a king.  I purchased a new Main for my 1992 Catalina 34 about 6 weeks ago, and they went above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of.  The quality of the sail is great and I could not be happier. I talked with 8 sail lofts around Lake Erie and none of them treated any where close to how well I as treated at Doyle Detroit. They wanted my business and did what it took to earn it.  All the quotes were within $400 of each other and Doyle was in the mid-range.  THEY HAVE EARNED A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE! Give them a call...you won't be sorry.

Tom

A friend of mine who previously owned a Catalina 30 gave me a UK Flasher...cruising spinnaker.  Can anyone tell me if the mast height of a C34 and C30 are close enough to fly the same spinnaker on both with success?  I figure that I will fly it about 5-6 feet off the deck to make it work.  Thoughts?  If anyone has any pictures of their deck layout with a cruising spinnaker, that would be helpful as well.  I have flown them on smaller boats and I assume the principles are the same.

I would like to purchase a new main sail for my 1992 C34 Tall Rig.  Does anyone have any reccommendations as to what loft I should purchase from?  I use my boat for cruising on Lake Erie only.  I want to get a good quality sail for a reasonable price (not too much to ask), but more importantly, I want to be able to get good customer service as well.  Thanks for your thoughts.

In my earlier post I inquired about installing refrigeration...many good suggestions as I anticipated. Thank you. While I am contemplating the type, placement, etc of the refrigeration sytem and electrical upgrades I will continue to use blocks of ice until I install some refrigeration.   

I am not a big fan of the foot pump for draining the ice box...has anyone disconnected the pump and simply let gravity drain the ice box to the bildge? This was the method of my previous boats.