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I was at the Newport Boat Show last weekend and saw a boat (not Catalina) that had a head with a foot pedal to pump, instead of the up/down handle.  It looked pretty convenient.  Any comments/suggestions on this?

Thanks,

Steve

Hmm.  That's interesting.  I'll check that out.

Steve

That's a good idea.  I'll check it out.  Thanks all.

I had a new masthead wind indicator installed and it worked perfectly for a few weeks, but now can't be seen by the nav system.  I suspect the cause of the problem is the osprey that likes to perch on it (though I haven't confirmed that yet).  The indicator looks to be spinning and pointing fine, based on a binocular view.  Any suggestions on ways to prevent masthead bird damage, or should I just wave the white flag and let nature take its course?

Thanks,

Steve

Mine's set up like Stu's.  Two pulleys per sheet: one on the track and the cheek block aft of the jib winch.  Works fine.

Search in this forum for "ATN Tacker".  It's a thread I started with essentially the same question just a few weeks ago.  Ken looks to have refined the ATN Tacker to something that is more durable and flexible.  The spinnaker tack attaches to a collar that loops around the furled jib, and has a line to the deck to control the height.

Steve

I hope someone from Catalina is reading this.  Have y'all noticed that in all the marketing pictures of the C-355, the boat is standing still?  I've noticed this for a while, and just got the May Cruising World -- and again, every other Catalina model looks like something I'd want to sail on, but the 355 looks dead in the water.  Am I the only one with this concern?  It kind of de-values the brand.  Just a thought.

Mine's a 2005 and, like Jim, the factory installed fluxgate is way aft.  You can see it on the ceiling of the aft cabin but it's pretty far back there.  We haven't moved it.  I've only had the boat for one season and found that the compass was usually pretty accurate -- within 5 degrees or so -- but every once in a while was quite far off, like 45 degrees.  Not sure why...probably something nearby.  We don't use the autohelm much -- too many lobster buoys in Maine to take your eyes off the route for any length of time -- but that's a good idea, to move it for more accuracy.

On a separate but related topic, I'm putting in a new MFD and radar, but it's not worth the cost to replace the whole autohelm arrangement, at least not this year.  In order for the radar to overlay with the chartmaster, we're putting in a second compass.  I'm having the installation done by a pro, and will pass along to him the suggestions in this thread about where to locate it.

Steve

Thanks Ken.  I'd be interested in hearing more about what to be wary of in the commercially available one, and what you did to prevent it.  I couldn't find a direct link in the C34 forum.  Feel free to email me directly.

Thanks,

Steve

I saw a picture in this month's Cruising World of an ATN tacker, which is billed as an easy way to secure and adjust the tack of an asymmetrical spinnaker.  Has anyone tried them?  Comments?

Steve

Thanks Fred, this is really helpful.

Steve

This came with the boat, loose in the cabin. Is it a rigid vang?  I can't find a picture of anything that looks just like it and can't see any brand name written on it.  About 4' long.  Do you think it might be worth anything on ebay?  Seems a shame to throw it out because, whatever it's supposed to do, it seems well made.

General practice for online life these days not to make it any easier for identity thieves, even if the website is safe.

Thanks Stu.  I'll go with that. 

I just got Peggy Hall's book on the topic, and she suggests finding out how many pump strokes it takes to push the contents of the head over to the holding tank.  Does anyone know this?  Call me a wuss, but the one way I can think of ascertaining that is through a job that I'd just as soon avoid unless necessary.  I have a MK II, in case that's relevant.  Thanks.