Messages

Just as a follow-up.   I replaced the "bail" on my anchor roller with a larger one from Garhauer.  Only $12 and now the Manson anchor sits flush on the roller without hitting the furler.

Joe

Joe:  do you have a size or part number?  I'm planning to do the same.

Thanks,
Michael

I'm convinced the C34IA membership is a great deal, so it's not a matter of if, but of when.  I suspect that I'll come across an issue or opportunity soon that will push it into the "A" list.  Or it may end up as a Christmas present  .

I don't know how Catalina handled the sale.  It was pretty informal and fast, so they may never have bothered to list it as "pending" on the site.

Thanks,

Michael

We closed the deal on our C34 in early October.   The boat was listed on Yachtworld.com, but we purchased from Catalina in Ventura as the boat had been a trade-in.

No, we didn't get an invitation from Catalina.  Yes, we were aware of the website/association, and searched the forum as part of the due-diligence process before buying. 

So far, just a website/forum member.  Considering becoming a full member.  The major reason we haven't (and I'm sure the other members will relate) is that purchasing a boat is expensive and we've been trying to prioritize the must-haves from a safety and operational point of view.  Since the boat is fairly new (2005 with <150 hrs) and we're deferring a lot of enhancements, becoming a member is on the "B" list.

Good suggestions, but I've verified that the removable faceplate is installed correctly, the contacts are clean, and I've pushed the reset button many, many, many times.  I pulled the unit out and traced the wiring, and verified that I have voltage on both power leads into the unit.  I even broke down and read the manual--a testimony to my state of dispair.

I've pretty much resigned myself to replacing it, but wanted to see if the failure mode is common.

I'm troubleshooting a problem with the stereo on our 2005.  There's a Sony car CD/receiver installed, but it's only powered up twice in the couple of months we've had the boat.  Like most car stereos, it's designed to have the constant power to maintain memory settings, and turning off the "stereo" breaker on the panel shuts off all power.  I've tried reseting it, but it doesn't power up.  I've verified with a multimeter that the power cables to the unit are hot.  My working theories are:  1)  it's just broke or 2) the constant loss of power was something it was not designed for.

My question to the group is:  has anyone else had problems with a stereo failing due to the power cycling?  

I keep the boat in a slip with a charger, so I'm thinking of taking Ron's advice and wiring the constant lead to unswitched power and putting my own in-line switch in for those rare situations when I want it totally shut off.

Thanks for all of the feedback.  In particular:

Ted:  Thanks for the search link.  I ran a few searches and it helped to fill in some of the missing pieces.  I also went with 3/8" sheets.  I haven't purchased the blocks yet, but am thinking of trying two configurations: using some climbing loops I have to go to the stern cleats and the extra set of cars on the toerail track.  

Indianfalls:  your post jogged a memory, and when I checked the sail, I found I also had a broad strap to wrap around the furled jib and anchor the tack.  I have no idea of the pros or cons, but will give it a try in our next light air day.  (Unfortunately, it rained all last weekend--here in Southern California!)

Tom, et. al.:  Regarding running the tack line through a block on the anchor roller bail, I was under the impression that there was a backing plate under the roller than reinforced it.  What would you estimate is the safe working load for the bail?  The forward cleats on this 2005 are pretty far back from where I need to run the line so I don't know that's an option.  I'll have to look and see what else is up there I could use.

One of the nice "extras" that came with our lightly used 2005 C34 MkII was an asymmetrical spinnaker.  The previous owner did not finish rigging for it and it has never been used.  It appears to be a nice sail, by North Sails, and has a sock.  I don't know the size.

The boat has a dedicated spinnaker halyard led back through the deck organizer to a bank of clutches at the front of the cockpit.  There is a tack line that is run parallel to the jib furling line, from a clutch on the port side of the cockpit along the base of the lifelines and through a block secured to the bail on the bow roller.  

What I don't have is sheets or blocks for the sheets.  Since I've not used an asymmetrical spinnaker and I'm new to the C34, I have a few questions for those who have gone before:

• Any recommendation for what size block to use for the sheets and where/how to attach them?  The rest of the gear on the boat is Garhauer.  I assume I'll be bringing the sheet back forward to the main winches at the side of the cockpit.
• The jib sheets are 5/8".  Can I go a little lighter with the spinnaker?
• With the way the tack line is led, there's not much separation between the spinnaker and the forestay.  I understand the preferred approach is to double the length of the sheets and pass them forward of spinnaker to make it easier to gybe.  Any other suggestions?

Thanks again,
Michael

Thanks, John.  That does look much better.  Will have to check it out next time I'm in West Marine (which is way too often with a new boat).

Michael

And the OEM spanner in the emergency rudder kit leaves a lot for improvement, anyone know where to get a good replacement?

I would also interested in a better tool, if someone has made or come across one.  I've practiced installing the emergency rudder, but had to bend the tool to fit and still wasn't impressed.

Michael

Thanks for all the great feedback.  I'll have to go down to the boat and experiment with the placement using some of these ideas.  I do want to be able to see the gauges so I can routinely check the pressure.  Also, thanks for the confirmation that screws wouldn't be enough for the wood bulkheads--I'll get some through bolts and acorn nuts.

The PO had put combination smoke/CO detectors on the boat (aft cabin and saloon), but one has come down as he used double-sided tape, so I still need to fix that.

Hello!  My wife and I are now the proud owners of C34 #1703, docked in Channel Islands, CA.  The first couple of weeks have gone by in a blur, as we get to know the boat and set things to right.  The forum has already answered quite a few of the questions that have come up, but here's one for which I would like to "ask the audience."

The PO didn't use the boat much and purchased a lot of equipment that was never actually installed.  One of the smaller items is the fire extinguishers.  I have four and have already mounted one under the companionway stairs.  I was thinking of trying to mount the remaining ones in the forward and aft cabins and in the cockpit.  

My question to the group is: where did you mount yours, and how?  I'm reluctant to screw into the bulkhead panels as they feel like they don't have a solid core.  I'd also like to meet the mutually exclusive objectives of having them visually out of the way but easily accessible.  What has worked well?

Thanks,

Michael