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Messages - Mick Laver

#166
Main Message Board / Practical Sailor eBook ad
May 15, 2013, 11:03:29 AM
I just got an ad from PS for their ebook "Entry Level Cruiser-Racers". An excerpt from the book:

"An interesting aside: We learned in talking with builders and dealers that they know their market, including personality types, and the likely use of the boats. By their accounts, Catalina owners are more likely to sail, and work on, their boats; Hunter owners are more likely to use the boats for dockside entertainment, and reach for a credit card when repairs are to be made. Beneteau owners seem to fall somewhere in between."

I guess we all knew that.

Turning off the smug now before it comes and bites me you know where.


#167
Main Message Board / Re: New Batteries
May 01, 2013, 03:19:17 PM
Well that certainly turned me around in a hurry. I'm back to replacing my trusty T-105s with the same, and swapping out the starter battery (A WM Gp 27 deep cycle ... I have no idea why the PO put that there) with an Optima 8006-006-FFP. My original plan included upgrading the charger (that Xantrex Tru-Charge 20A doesn't make much of a dent in a 450 Ah house bank if you're using a generator) with a 50A Inverter/Charger (Magnum), as well as upgrading the alternator to a 90 or 105A. I'll still do that, but not going all Lifelines just saved about $1200. And maybe a lot of pain and grief. Thanks all.
#168
Ed - I've used Jan Mitchell (jan@mitchellscanvas.com - 619.778.1007) for many years. He made a bimini for my C30 (working with me to devise a clever way to wrap it around the backstay) and did many small to medium repairs. He's made a hatchboard covers, and "door" that hangs off the back of my dodger, and is currently making some weather curtains for the cockpit for my C34. Everyone I've recommended him to has been delighted with the work.

He is only word of mouth (but I suspect this list qualifies - word-of-small-group if you will. I checked with him first to make sure I could put his name out.) He's extremely reasonable and is fanatic about getting the job right. My only caveats are that if you're in a big hurry he's not your guy. Not that he's not conscientious, he's just always busy. He's also a bit of a "character" and I know that can put some people off, but we think he's a super nice guy.
#169
Main Message Board / Re: New Batteries
April 30, 2013, 08:13:59 AM
Mainesail - Yes, 6V "golf cart" batteries will fit in a C34 quite nicely. In fact I'm about to replace my 9-year-old Trojan T105s with Lifeline GPL-6CT 6V AGMs. One of the main reasons I'm going with AGMs (other than maintenance and safety issues) was the deeper discharge cycle, but now you're saying Lifeline also recommends 50%? Since the AGMs are much more expensive (~4x) than flooded I'm starting to wonder if the marginal additional hassle of dealing with flooded batteries justifies the additional cost!
#170
I'm replacing the Sherwood pump on my M35BC. The old one is pretty corroded (see attached) and I figured it was time to bite the bullet. There seems to be some disagreement about whether or not to use a gasket sealant like Permatex on the seal when you replace just the impeller, but I couldn't find anything on the list about using sealant (or not) on the gasket when you replace the entire pump. Thanks.
#171
Main Message Board / Stern cleats for Mk II
March 15, 2013, 11:47:23 AM
I'm considering adding stern cleats on the raised areas on either side of the swim step. Location TBD (see attached photo.) I'd like something better to tie up the dink when we're moored or at anchor. I'd also like to be able to work a stern anchor off the cleat if necessary. So the questions are: Has anyone added cleat(s) in this location, and if an appropriately sized backing plate were used will this area carry the load of a stern anchor? The Herreshoff cleats I'm considering are at Catalina Direct, parts Z1062 or Z1586.
#172
Hi Ralph. A SD 34 fleet is a great idea, but at the very least you should join the San Diego Catalina Association, http://sdcatalinaassoc.com/. A great group!
#173
Main Message Board / Re: Flex-o-Fold Folding Prop
January 15, 2013, 02:24:38 PM
Craig, all
Yes that makes sense. I didnt even consider the different reductions.

I'm going with the 3-blade 15x9. Since I can make hull speed with either the 9 or 10 pitch the 9 makes more sense for my situation.
#174
Main Message Board / Re: Flex-o-Fold Folding Prop
January 14, 2013, 10:51:51 AM
Hi all,
I'm also going to replace my fixed 3-blade with a Flex-o-fold 3 blade. I replaced my fixed 3-blade with a 2-blade Flex-o-fold on my 1985 C30 and it was one of the best upgrades I ever made, both for sailing and performance under power.

There seems to have been a lot of discussion about the recommended pitch on the C34, with most folks opting for the 15x10 for the M25XP. Flex-o-fold recommends the 15x9 for the M35B (which we have), which to me is a little counterintuitive. Since the M35BC has 10hp more shouldn't it be able to handle a the higher pitch better? OTOH if running the engine at 3000 rpm vs 2600 rpm doesn't make that much difference on wear or fuel consumption, wouldn't the 9 be a better choice for low-speed control?

I know this is an old thread, but I'd certainly appreciate the group's opinions. Thanks.
#175
Main Message Board / Re: Mk II water tank capacity
November 07, 2012, 10:07:57 AM
Yeah, I did notice Kent's drawing omitted the cutout for the steering quadrant. I just figured it was artistic license. :) The length and width are the same, though. If anyone has a later model Mk II (a friend's 2000 also has a "short" tank, so after that) I'd be curious if the tank height is *really* 13".  If it's 10" you have a 30 gallon tank.

Anyone in San Diego willing to look? I'll bring the tape measure and the beer.
#176
Main Message Board / Re: Mk II water tank capacity
November 03, 2012, 01:19:41 PM
I know this isn't of interest to most C34 owners, but *someday* someone's going to search the archive for Mk II tank specs and it might be helpful. A couple of things:

- The newer Mk II aft water tanks are indeed 42 gallons, at least according to the drawing that Kent at Catalina sent me (see attached.). The length and width are the same as the older Mk IIs like ours, but the height is 13" vs 10" for our '99. The extra 3" comes out to about 11 gallons by my calculations, hence the difference (30 gal vs. 42 gal. claimed capacities.) I'm a bit mystified how the taller tank fits in, since there's a little over 1" clearance between the steering cables and the top of my tank, but I'll let it go. If I need 10 more gallons I'll carry a couple of jerry jugs. And of course use less water ... I ordered one of the slick water wands Stu recommended.

- The aft water tank is substantially higher than the forward tank on a Mk II. I emptied out the forward tank, completely filled the aft tank, opened the valves between the two tanks and let it sit for a couple of days to equilibrate. When I came back the forward tank was filled to the top and the aft tank only had about 4 gallons in it. "So what?" you say. If you fill both tanks and open the under sink valves there's enough head pressure to force water into the forward tank, deforming the top of the tank and compromising the seal on the inspection hole. Water water everywhere. I guess the message is to fill both tanks independently and only open the valve to the one you're using (though if you use the aft tank first it shouldn't matter what you do after that.)

By the way. Kent's diagram shows a 30(!) gallon holding tank.
#177
Main Message Board / Re: Mk II water tank capacity
October 30, 2012, 01:11:46 PM
Interesting. The specifications page on the owner's manual archived on the C34 site (Rev: 3/7/03) says 42 gals for the aft freshwater tank. Other capacities the same. Maybe Catalina did change after 1999. If so is it possible to retrofit with a larger tank, and (more to the point) is it worth the effort? I guess I'm the only one who can answer that question.
#178
Main Message Board / Mk II water tank capacity
October 29, 2012, 09:59:24 PM
There's been some discussion lately about tank capacities (holding, fuel, water) on our boats. I've always be suspect of that 42 gal claim in the owner's manual for the aft water tank on a Mk II. I know the forward tank is the same 25 gal tank Catalina used on the 30s (in fact I can still see the "C30" in magic marker on the side of mine), but the aft tank just didn't look that much bigger. Today I got a bug up my *** and measured. 28 gallons. I can only guess that someone misread the 2 mark as a 3 on the bucket when he/she measured the aft tank's capacity originally.

That's a big difference, and quite obviously affects planning for long trips if you're not going to see fresh water for a while.
#179
Given LED's low power draw and the difficulty of wiring the area over the fridge and stove, a battery powered solution might be just fine. Jack, do you remember where you got your lights?

I found a light with four directible heads on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R9P4GE/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3C_SC_dp_1 )  but I suspect it'll be too big.
#180
To clarify. Not under counter. In front and above the galley cabinets.