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16

Main Message Board / Chart plotter location

« on: February 01, 2016, 10:17:02 AM »

Hi all, I just purchased a Raymarine E7D. I have been looking at Navpods and mainsail's flat mount for the new baby but am concerned about taking up more space and obstructing visibility and movement in the cockpit. I was thinking one option would be to mount the chart plotter below at the nav table and using a tablet or iPhone at the helm with a sturdy mount and water proof case. I'm not doing any blue water sailing. My question is do any of you C34 owners find your "full featured" chart plotter is in the way in the cockpit? Has anyone else mounted your "full featured" chart plotter below? Also, where do most put the autopilot control head? I can add the control head and E7d to a Navpod but how obstructive will that be based on your experience.
Thanks
Mark

17

Main Message Board / Starter Battery Component Locations

« on: January 25, 2016, 12:42:03 PM »

Hi all, I am installing a dedicated starter battery using the approach that many have suggested. This diagram by mainsail depicts the basic layout of what I am trying to accomplish.



I chose this because I'd like to isolate electronics from engine starting transients.

I have several questions about the best location for components that would give me as little wire routing difficulties as possible.

My current setup is 2ea 4D Grp 27 600CCA batteries wired as separate banks and parallel when the Perko 1-2-B is set to "Both".  They are located under the starboard settee in two battery boxes. My alternator is the factory 55Amp Motorola.  My charger is a Newmar ABC 12-15. I've installed the start battery in the aft cabin under the forward storage compartment just aft of the prop shaft.

From my reading, I will need to...

1) Move the starter cable from the "C" post to #2 post on the Perko 1-2-B switch.
2) Install and ACR, combiner, or Echo Charger from the bank #1 to the start battery.
3) Connect the starter battery ground cable to the engine block.
4) Install a on/off switch between the starter battery positive cable and the starter.
5) Wire the 2 4D house bank batteries in parallel.

My questions are...
1) Which is easier to install, the Echo Charger or ACR?  From what I read, they both work but the ACR requires a much heavier cable which may make cable routing difficult.  I'm not worried about cost since the are probably only a few $$ difference.
2) Given my location of my starting and house banks, where would be the optimum location to install the ACR or Echo Charger?
3) Where would be the best location to install the starting battery on/off switch?  I'm trying to avoid an unsightly or obstructive installation but still be easily accessible.

Thanks
Mark

18

Main Message Board / Wheel Autopilot

« on: December 15, 2015, 08:55:52 PM »

I am considering adding a wheel autopilot to my C34. From what I read, the C34 is at the high end of the weight specs. I would be using it mostly for Puget Sound cruising. In perticular, has anyone installed the Raymarine EV-100 on a C34 and what were your results?

19

Main Message Board / Jib Halyard Shackle Broke...How do I retreive?

« on: February 17, 2015, 07:42:41 AM »

While out single handed yesterday in 15 knot winds, the shackle on the jib halyard broke when the jib was fully raised.  It started to fall so I could not use the roller furling to bring in.  Went forward and pulled it all the way down.  Is there a way of getting the halyard down without climbing the mast?  Thanks

20

Main Message Board / Used Sail Dimensions

« on: January 27, 2015, 03:09:35 PM »

I have an opportunity to purchase a used sail in good condition, however, it's measurements don't quite match the specs in the Catalina owners manual.  My question is can I still use it?  It has hank-on clips but I have a roller furling.  Below are it's dimensions.


                 Luff       Leach     Foot
                40'         34.5       23.24


Catalina spec dimensions for my 1989 MKI are...

                 Luff       Leach     Foot
110%         37.83     33.83     16.5
130%         44.00     40.00     19.33
150% Furl   42.33     41.66     21.33

21

Main Message Board / Boat not responding to rudder

« on: September 10, 2014, 08:25:58 AM »

While cruising the San Juans this summer, we got into some fairly strong winds maybe 15knts. Main and 150 genoa up.  A gust came up as we were rounding a point off one of the islands doing about 6.5knts with prop in reverse and dingy engine motor down ( it fell down and I didn’t want to stop).  I turned the rudder hard to port to avoid rocks but the boat just kept going straight for the rocks!  I think I dumped air out of the genoa to correct the problem but I had never run into this situation before.  Anyone else experience the boat not responding to rudder direction?  What did you do?

22

Main Message Board / Heat Exchanger Failure

« on: July 09, 2014, 10:00:18 AM »

I checked my coolant level over the weekend to discover that seawater had replaced the nice green colored antifreeze in the engine.  I drained and flushed the water heater hoses and the engine, then removed the HX.  Seems like a sure sign the heat exchanger has failed.  I was wondering if there is any other way salt water can get into the cooling system?  Do I need to have it pressure tested or just do the replacement.

23

Main Message Board / Head Sink Mixing Valve

« on: June 27, 2014, 09:27:05 AM »

I’d like to add a thermostatic shower valve to control the temperature of hot water coming out of the sink in the head.  It is not easy getting the temp. just right in the shower then turn off to soap up and readjust the temp again to rinse.  I’d like to keep the galley sink capable of very hot water for cleaning so installation under the lavatory sink is what I would like.   I’m thinking I would need to know...
1)flow rate (gpm)
2) size of the hot and cold water lines
3)Water pressure (PSI).
Has anyone done this yet?  If so what mixing valve did you use?

24

Main Message Board / M25XP Engine Oil Level

« on: June 16, 2014, 03:58:37 PM »

I've noticed everytime I check the oil level, the first time I pull the dipstick the oil level reads zero.   I dip the stick back in and get a full reading.  The first time this happened, I thought I was leaking or using oil so I filled a half quart.  Dipped the stick in and was over filled.  I suspect I'm not the only one who's noticed this but hope it will help new owners to not overfill.  Still don't know how this can possibly happen but it does...

25

Main Message Board / Boom Seperated from Gooseneck

« on: May 23, 2014, 10:58:10 AM »

My boom has completely detached from the gooseneck (see photo). Looks like there is a single cotter pin that has corroded and allowed the fitting to slide out of the boom thus detaching from the gooseneck.  I'm thinking if I unscrew the four screws holding the boom cap I will be able to install a new cotter pin.  Seems like the cotter pin is not the most secure way of holding the boom to the mast.  Recommendations on how to repair are sought.

26

Main Message Board / Anchor Light Replacement

« on: May 23, 2014, 10:35:45 AM »

My anchor light has been out since I purchased the boat so I would like to replace.  My son climbed the mast and took a photo of what was up there.  Can anyone identify the type of light this is?  I'd like to purchase a new light with the same hole pattern so when he climbs again, it will be an easy installation.

27

Main Message Board / Inverter Sounds like Smoke Alarm

« on: May 20, 2014, 09:25:07 AM »

I stopped to check on the boat after about a week.  DC Power was off and no connection to shore power.  Upon boarding, I hear this shrill sound like a CO or smoke alarm.  The inverter switch was on and was the source of the noise.  Turned it off and sound stopped.  Has anyone experienced this before?  Wondering if my inverter is toast.

Thanks

28

Main Message Board / GPS Inside the Cabin

« on: April 29, 2014, 09:08:57 AM »

Recently I purchased a BU-353 usb gps puck.  I was a bit disappointed to find out it would not hold reception very well inside the cabin at the nav station where my 5 year old garmin handheld does quite well.  I’d prefer to keep the Garmin as a handheld device.  Does anyone have experience with USB GPS that will work inside the cabin?

Thanks

29

Main Message Board / Furling Mast for C42

« on: March 02, 2014, 10:40:46 AM »

I can pick up a furling mast for a c42 for a couple thousand bucks.  Does anyone know if this would work on an 89 C34?

Thanks

30

Main Message Board / Propane Locker Mod

« on: January 17, 2014, 12:42:25 PM »

Just thought I would share how I modified my propane locker to allow a 4 pound propane bottle to fit in the locker after the OPD valve was required for new propane tanks.  After removing the locker from the aft cockpit locker, I used 1x2 pine boards (actually 1.75x.75) to make a 13x13 inch frame and glued to the top of the locker.  Drilled holes to secure the clamps to the 1x2, painted and reinstalled.