Messages

Dave - thanks.  will let you know.

Hi.  I have an ST 60 Wind on my helm.  Its worked perfectly for more than 10 years.  All of a sudden (yesterday) the wind direction (on the display) seems to be about 90 degrees of both the wind-vane on the top of the mast and the smaller wind vane on top of the "cups".  The mast head vanes seem to indicate the correct direction - the display on the ST 60 seems to be off.  The wind-speed the ST 60 is reporting seems to be correct - just the direction is off (by about 90 degrees).

Has anyone run across this before?  Thanks in advance.

I refer to these all the time:

Marine Diesel Engines (Nigel Calder)
Sailboat Electrics Simplified (Casey)
Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair (Casey)
Refrigeration for Pleasureboats (Calder)

Also good:

How Boat Things Work (Charlie Wing)
Get Rid of Boat Odors (Peggie Hall)

Hope this helps...happy reading...

Not sure about American rules...(I'm Canadian)...but in Canada you need to wear your inflatable with CO2 installed for it to be valid (just having it on board is not sufficient).  Having said that, having a foam life jacket on board is sufficient (i.e. you do not need to wear it).  So my wife and I keep our CO2 vests handy and put them on when the weather gets heavy but always have the foam ones (the key-hole style) in a cockpit locker so we are always compliant.  Hope this helps.  US rules may be similar.

Sorry - my model/year/hull used to show in my signature on my posts...

I have a 2000 34 MK II Hull #1494.  My topping lift is 7/16" low stretch line running through a block on top of the mast with a cleat on the side of the mast - it COULD work I'd think in a pinch.  I have a solid (spring loaded) vang.  I have only one spare halyard when my self furling jib and main are up.  I had planned on running another halyard since I have an unused course on the mast for a spinnaker halyard.  In hind-sight, what I think I will do is drop my jib and use both jib halyards (genoa 1 and 2) to go up and feed a spare spinnaker halyard down the mast - then I will always have 2 spares to go aloft in the future.  then no need to test if my vang will hold the boom.

Thanks for all of your advice.

Makes sense....thanks.

Only problem is I have a self-furling main - using the main halyard would mean dropping the main first...

Hi.  Normally when I or a member of my crew need to go up the mast, i use the spare jib halyard.  As a former rock-climber, I don't really like a single point of failure in a system where lives are at stake.  My question - if I were to briefly disconnect the boom-lift (as a backup line for the person going up) would the boom be okay?  would the vang be able to support the weight of the boom for a short period of time?

thanks in advance.

All - thanks for the advice.  Checked all of the fittings under the galley sink (i.e. in/out of the water pump, etc) and everything was dry.  As I was about to pack in the detective work for the day, I found some more light in the galley (sun came out).  One more look in the bilge and I noticed a "micro-river" dripping down the port side of the bilge - so fine it was really hard to see and would have not seen it without a light shining right on it...but clearly coming from the area of the water heater.  Looked in there and the hot water hose out of the water heater had a slow drip...simply a loose hose clamp.  tightened it up and drip stopped.  If there is no more water in the bilge on my next  inspection, then I think that was it.
thanks for all of your input on this.

Hi - I noticed about 3" of very clean water in my bilge on this past weekend.  I pumped the bilge dry (with a wet/dry vac) about a month ago - shortly after launch so I was surprised to see this water.  I pumped it dry again and have 1" 30 hours later (again - clean water).  I have also noticed for the first time this year my water pump is running for about 5-6 seconds from time to time even if I am not running water (it just comes on and runs - but only very occasionally).  We were on-board for these 30 hours (when the 1" came back) and had the electric water pressure on the whole time. I am guessing there is a small leak in the freshwater system which is filling the bilge?  Does that sound plausible?

I've not noticed the problem getting any worse when the  pump is shut off at the electrical panel.

FYI - I have checked all the thru-hulls and they seem to be dry.  I would think if a leak was coming from the shaft then I'd have some oil or grease in the bilge - i'd not think the water would be so clean.

Thoughts?  Thanks in advance.

I have a year 2000 34 mk II (hull 1494).  I am not sure how much on my boat was after-market, but I have two house batteries under the aft dinette seat (close to the water heater) and a dedicated engine start battery in the engine compartment under the aft-bunk close to  the stuffing box.  I have managed to completely seperate them so that the house can be fully drained without pulling on the start battery.  hope this helps.
I can supply pictures if you like?

I have had problems with my anemometer not turning and the wind vane being stuck - spiders.  had to go up the mast and clean out all of the old webs.  might be as simple as that.

Thanks.  I will do as you suggest...given its only on the port-side (starboard is completely seamless) is it possible its only cosmetic (i.e. grind off and replace sealant)?  I would think if the keel were starting to separate then cracking would be visible on both sides of the keel?

Hi everyone - I have noticed a small crack on the forward edge of my keel (photo attached - this is an extreme close up - standing 15' from the boat I hardly noticed it).  It is only on the port side.  I have a Cat 34 Mk II and i have never grounded (not sure if the previous owner did).  I have been reading the forum and found references to the "smile".  Not sure if this is the same thing.  I have never seen this crack in past years.  This winter was the first winter I was on jack-stands and not my cradle (long story) but i've heard cracks can appear in the front if improperly blocked.  I am not close to the boat at the moment so cant check tightness of keel bolts.

Thoughts based on your collective wisdom and extensive experience will be most welcome...thanks in advance.

Hi.  I also need to replace my shaft.  Would there be an existing spec for a replacement if I provided make, model, year, hull#?  I have written to Catalina Yachts Parts Department but no response as of yet.

I would prefer NOT to have to pull the old shaft before I order the new one as it means more time on the hard (which I need to pay for).  Obviously I need to do this right, so if pulling and measuring is the only way to go then I will have to do it.

Just wondering if anyone knows if a spec is available for my shaft.

thanks in advance.