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Topics - Ben H.

#1
1989. Hull #886. Happy Camper is a wing keel sloop lovingly restored over the past 5 years. She has been cared for inside & out with beautifully finished teak trimming, painted mast, new Bimini, dodger, + connecting cloth, LED lighting, upgraded 12V wiring, + a new SeaFrost fridge/freezer installed in 2019, + more. Other upgrades include a 3 blade Flex-o-Fold prop ('16), Fairflough custom canvas winter cover ('18), and Standard Horizon VHF with GPS ('18). Westport, CT. $38,000.

See more here
https://goodoldboat.com/advert/catalina-34-mk1/
https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/89064
#2
Main Message Board / Restoring/refinishing teak
July 04, 2018, 11:17:05 AM
Hi everyone,
This spring I stripped all the teak off Happy Camper and have been restoring and prepping the teak for Cetol. I've used Starbrite's Teak Restore to clean, brighten, and oil the very weathered wood. I'm just about ready for Cetol and would like your collective thoughts.

1, Should I worry about putting Cetol on the underside of pieces that will just be bedded to the deck?
2, If yes, any special considerations when bedding?
3, When bedding should I use butyl tape everywhere or something like 4200? I have all trim, grab rails, companion way, and sliding hatch removed.
4, Any tips on applying Cetol? Min number of base coats? Gloss coats?

Thanks
Ben
#3
Main Message Board / In San Diego
February 25, 2018, 12:41:30 PM
Hi Everyone,

I just landed in San Diego and am super jealous of this beautiful weather and sailboats not covered for winter.

If anyone is in the area and would like to meet please PM me.

Ben
#4
Hi Everyone,

I'm planning on getting a dodger built soon, but first want to finish redoing the running rigging changes that the PO made. I believe he/she was trying to get everything to the aft of the cockpit, but added lots of friction in the process. So much so that something like raising the main or letting out the main sheet is difficult. Attached is a picture of the rigging. The lines are as follows:

1-2 = Jib Halyard and Spinnaker Halyard (small string run for spare jib line and tied at mast)
3 = Boom Vang (missing cam cleat...)
4 = Main Sheet (run to starboard winch)
5 = Main Halyard (run to starboard aft, rope cluntch, small winch)
6 = Starboard Traveler (run to starboard aft)
7 = Port Traveler (run to port aft)

Note: I'm fine with walking forward from the helm to adjust things. I always sail with someone else as I'm still learning. I do have an auto pilot. I'd like to get rid of some extra cheek/turning blocks and simplify line paths.

What do you see as the most practical/common setup?
#5
Main Message Board / Boom configuration and Reefing
March 12, 2017, 12:32:44 PM
Yesterday I stripped the boom down in preparation for painting. This has me thinking of how I'll set it up when I reassemble it and whether I should be filling any holes. Today i posted a write-up about redoing the boom including a bunch of pictures of the boom. http://svhappycamper.com/2017/03/restoring-the-spars-pt-1/

I've never reefed with this boat and am not sure what some of the fittings are for on the boom. Would anyone be up to trying to guess what the PO had in mind? There are a few extra cheek blocks and something that looks like it should have been on a track instead of screwed to the boom.

Do people recommend upgrading the outhaul to something greater then the 3:1?
Installing Single-line reefing? Possibly previously had one?

Thanks,
Ben
#6
Hi Everyone,

I've started another project! A website for my C34 to document her restoration and travels. Please check it out and give me some feedback. It is still pretty empty, but I'll try to keep adding "back" content over the next few weeks.

http://svhappycamper.com/
#7
Main Message Board / Refinishing Teak / Brightwork
March 10, 2017, 02:35:03 PM
Hi again.

My second garage project going on right now is to restore/refinish the teak on my C34 MK1. I've brought home the companionway pieces to start with and also recently purchased a used teak cockpit grate. I don't think there was anything applied to the companionway, but the cockpit grate has some finish on it.

Through my research I'm leaning towards using Cetol to treat the wood, but see that the gloss part should not be used for decks. The tech sheet says you can add an Interlux non skid between coats. I'd again like to pick everyone's brains on restoring their boats teak and what holds up the best. The Interlux rep started telling me about an AwlGrip product they carry (part of the same BIG company). I believe it was called AwlWood and seems to be very permanent and long lasting.

What are your thoughts on restoring and finishing the teak exterior pieces? What have people used for "deck" walk/on pieces? Has anyone used the AwlGrip product? Thoughts on color (clear/natural) Cetol?

Thanks again!
Ben
#8
Main Message Board / Mast Refinishing
March 10, 2017, 09:21:54 AM
Hi everyone,

I've been doing some research on refinishing the mast, boom, spreaders on my C-34 before commissioning this summer.  I've found a few posts about this, but most are fairly old. My current plan is to use Interlux products to refinish. Support told me to sand with 180 and clean up corrosion. 2 Coats Epoxy PrimeKote and 3 coats Perfection.

Has anyone attempted this before? Recommendations or other options?

Also, what "White" have people used before? There are like 5 choices for "white"  :shock:

Thanks,
Ben
#9
Hi All,

I'm getting closer to finally getting my "new" C34 into the water. I don't think I have many sheets from all the stuff the PO gave me. I do have the attached manufacturer's specs for them. Do you all have any comments/recommendations on what physical ropes to buy?  Color coding that has worked well for you?

Any and all help appreciated!
#10
Hi Everyone,

Last weekend I removed the Solar Vent and hatch in the head to investigate a brownish leak coming from both (also have leak in salon hatch).  What I found appears to be water getting in between the frames and the desk materials. The wood was mostly okay with a few soft spots. Right now they are drying out in the 85+ degree CT weather we are having.

What do you recommend for repair?
Do I dig out all bad wood and fill?
Fill with?
When reinstalling, what do I seal with? 4200?
#11
Main Message Board / Book Recommendations
July 06, 2016, 10:45:49 AM
Hi All,

I'm new(er) to sailing, specially larger boats. I've done a little with sunfish as a kid, but now own a 34.  What books/resources would you recommend obtaining/reading?

Go!
#12
Hi All,

As a new person to boat ownership and Catalinas I was hoping to find a local resource or two who might be able to provide some in person guidance/advice as I work to improve the C34 I purchased last year. I'm more then happy to (and think capable) do most of the work myself, but don't feel knowledgeable enough to know where to start and what to focus on first.

Are you, do you know, could you recommend anyone in the Connecticut area who'd be interested in sharing their knowledge?
#13
Hello Everyone,

I'm getting ready to tackle a few more projects to prep my new boat for the water. I look around the outside of the hull a bit the other day and found a few things I'd like to address before bottom painting. What would you all recommend for the following issues? Photos included


  • Crack along balast (I believe PO hit a sandbar or something)
  • Cracks above prop shaft support
  • Hole in keel into bilg
  • Separation in mast through hole?
#14
Main Message Board / Head Plumbing - PO "add on"
January 01, 2016, 05:53:23 PM
Today I was working on cleaning up a bunch of ugly wiring the PO had done on my new boat. During this process I found that he had added a Y valve so he could dump the toilet direct to sea via a newly installed through-hull. (attached photo shows some of the mess)

Current setup.
Toilet -> Y valve -> 1) holding tank -> original pumpout or macerator 2) "New" through-hull  in the hanging locker by navigation station.

Future Setup.
Toilet -> Holding tank -> original pumpout or macerator.

Question. After I replumb this, what should I do about the through-hull? Remove it and patch is what I was thinking.
#15
Main Message Board / Fiberglass repair - What did P/O do?
December 15, 2015, 10:33:45 AM
Hi Everyone,

I've noticed some holes the P/O had made into the interior fiberglass panels. I'm not sure the motivation behind them, but wanted to hear your thoughts on repairing/filling them back in. Some look like they were made to put insulation around the icebox. Others to just make space? Help is appreciated and photos below.

Areas shown. Around icebox including behind stove and "hanging" locker in quarter berth. Are the holes in the V berth normal?
#16
Hi Everyone,

I'm planning on cleaning up/upgrading the electrical system on my new C34, 886. I've read through the "1987 Mk1 Electrical" post and think I'll base my system off that one.
Are there anythings I should keep in mind? General/specific thoughts comments? Boat will be mostly used for weekend fun, like trips to Block Island from CT.

I've attached a sampling of photos showing the current state of things.
#17
With the year coming to an end and me owning a "new" boat I'm looking to make some year-end boat/business purchases. I still have to make a good to do list, but know of some big items I'll need and would like the group's input. Also, where would be a good place to procure these items. I am in CT if local is better?! Here is my "new boat" post.

Rudder/shaft/Prop.
- The boat needs something to attach to the engine. What are people recommendations? I think I'd like to get a feathering prop.
- Read about an elliptical rudder. Is this the way to go now? From whom should I get this?

Sails - Main and Jib
- I'm no expert on sails and don't have a good history on the old ones. Main "looks" okay to me, jib is beat up. I do not know it's size currently. Thoughts on this?

I'm planning on going through/upgrading electrical over the winter. Will inventory this weekend.

Other big items I should get in preparation for a spring launch?

Thanks, Ben
#18
Main Message Board / Engine Troubles? M25XP not starting
November 16, 2015, 10:51:22 AM
I recently purchased a C34 and have been working at getting the engine started. The boat has been out of water for the last 5 years. I've reviewed a lot of the posts here on the forum, the wiki, and the internet and am still not getting the engine to run. Below is a bulleted list of what I've done/seen.


  • Checked that fuel is getting to the engine. Replaced all old lines for whole system and bleed.
  • Checked electrical. Engine turns over slowly. Quick with decompression level on. Glow plugs glow. Cleaned battery terminals (have not cut and replaced)
  • With injectors out I could see some fluid in the cylinders. I assume this is diesel from attempted starts. However the stern cylinder seems to have more then the other two. Plus the fluid is black. Could this be a sign of an oil leak?
#19
Main Message Board / New Owner of C34 #886
November 16, 2015, 10:44:48 AM
Hello Everyone.

I recently purchased a Catalina 34 here in CT that had been sitting out of the water for about 5 years. I'm a novice when it comes to sailing, but am quick on the uptake. Physically this boat seems to be well cared for and in sound condition. I was told she ran a sandbar before coming out of the water and had her rudder break away. The prop and shaft were also removed as a precaution. The only other "damage" I can see is a chip by the rudder tube and the "Catalina" smile.  Over winter I'm looking at prepping her as much as I can to get her back in the water this spring. I'd love to hear from everyone what sort of things I should look for, possible projects for now/later, and general recommendations.

I'm going to make a second post regarding the engine, M-25XP, that I'm having trouble starting. (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,8731.0.html).

Again, I look forward to tapping everyone knowledge.

Thanks, Ben