Messages

Thanks for that info - there seem to be a few numbers out there: 1.98, 1.96 and 2.08!
Any info on the AVS on a MK1 - and any other capsize/stability information?

Hi, does anyone happen to know the "capsize screening ratio" for a 1987 MK1 standard rig, standard fin keel 5'7"draft?
i.e. the number that is considered good if it is less than 2.00 for offshore sailing.
There was a very useful post where a member did an assessment on his boat and arrived at a figure of 1.98. I cannot decipher the formula that he used to work out this number (my math symbol ability is sadly lacking!). He reports that his boat has a tall rig and a fin keel, so I am wondering if this number is different or even better with a fin keel and standard rig.
It is however encouraging to know that if the figure is 1.98 or better, it is below the 2.00 threshold and makes the 34 a blue water capable boat in terms of stability.....

How about $300 for the whole kit?

I pulled the whole system off the boat to make way for a below decks system. I should be clear - the autopilot works and I was using it before I uninstalled it. I made one modification: the drive wheel attachement to the helm seemed to have worn smooth so that there was a bit of slippage sometimes as the drive belt slipped on the wheel. I used a spare belt, cut it and turned it inside out and glued it to the autohelm wheel. This worked very well for me because it meant that the grooves on the drive belt were gripping in new the grooves on the drive wheel, so no slippage and the system tracked a lot better.

Just to be claar that I have done this, other than that the system is as it was when I bought the boat and recently uninstalled it.

Mark

I just pulled a working autohelm 3000 off my 1987 MKI. If anyone is interested please let me know. All parts included. mark.richards@email.com.
Mark

I fitted those 5 1/2 inch dome lights in the salon yesterday. They did not line up to the original mounting holes - there were two screws on the original and three on the dome lights - but no matter, I replaced the 4 salon lights over the sofa area with those dome lights and they really are great. For the two forward lights, port and starboard, I put in the white lights with two settings. For the aft lights, just forward of the nav station and galley, I put in the version with the red and white option. Perfect for night sailing, also with the use of the Dr. LED chart table light that I recently put in.
Next project is to replace the very dated plastic swivelling reading lights in the fore and aft cabins with the brass LED Taylorbrite versions...
Thanks for the advice.

....big rain yesterday, beckson ports in the aft cabin let in a lot of water - have ordered the new gaskets, rain protectors, and screens from catalinaowners.com - apparently they are not fully waterproof without the spoacing effect behind the gasket of the screen or a spacer (nop actual speacer seen online so far, so got thescreen instead).

Stu, that 1500 mile report is very useful reading, thank you for pointing me to that.
Mark

Thanks for the info! the 5 1/2 inch dome fitted into the same mounting holes as the original sliding light in the salon?
Mark

Pogmusic: any more detail on that westmarine light would be great - it sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the info. While on the same topic, what did you do with the swivelling lights (kind of like a lightshade with a clockwise turning switch on the top) that are in the forward and aft cabins on the 87 MKI's?

Thanks for the info:
Stu: I was vexed by trying to find replacements online. Looking at the online Catalina stores, such as sailboatowners and catalina direct, I see a lot of useful replacement stuff but only new ideas for curtains/blinds - not replacement originals. On a similar note, the type of cabin lights that I have on my 1987 MKI do not seem to be available - bulbs or the whole light fixture. In the salon the lights slide two ways, are rectangular, and if you slide one way one bulb comes on, the other way and both bulbs light. Centred and the light is off. Do you know anything about these?
Thanks for responding to me and have looked at some of your comments you may well tell me that these questions have already been answered! I sent in my membership to C34IA and I am awaiting my log-in for tech notes etc. I am indeed a newbie to the 34, having only owned her since April 2009.
Mike & Joanne: thanks for the tip. I just got an email from someone who may have the whole kit. that may solve the problem of the tabs etc....

And another thing (off topic): I have been scanning the site for technical info on my 34 in terms of offshore capability. I have found some useful stuff. The question that I am trying to answer for myself is: The boat is perfect for what I use it as, a coastal family cruiser. How far do I go in equipment terms to make this more offshore capable, or is that not wise? Equipped for offshore - tankage, sails, etc - does the 34 measure up in terms of design quality. This is my questions - equip and keep the 34 forever and eventually take her further offshore, or eventually have to buy a new "blue water cruiser".......

Hi,
My 1987 MKI has been missing the curtains in the salon since we bought her a year ago. Does anyone have a set or know where to get them from? The tracks are still there - I am looking for the curtains for the two large non-opening windows in the aft part of the salon. The opening hatches in the salonm do not appear to have ever been fitted for curtains or blinds and anyhow I see that there are commercially available solutions for that readily available - but the question of the original curtains for the tracks still vexes me....
Thanks,
Mark

Hi, do you still have those cabin curtains available? Are they for the MKI? When we bought our 1987 MKI a year ago, the curtains in the salon were missing and I am wondering where to get replacements from....?
Thanks,
Mark