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I have a double fairlead mounted under each side of my traveler. These direct the mainsheet and halyards to the winches next to the companionway. However, the insides of the fairleads aren't smooth but have ridges or dimples that give friction on my lines. Are they supposed to be this way? I haven't seen this before and am wondering if it's intentional or something the PO did. I'd prefer having them smooth. I am attaching a photo, hope it works.

I have a small (7.5') inflatable that I was planning to store just ahead of the mast, covering the Vberth hatch. Any suggestions on best practices to tie it down? or will this always be a problem and I should store it elsewhere?
thanks!

my wife bought me a set of new cockpit cushions for my Mk I and I'm wondering if anyone wants my old ones before I put them in the trash. The old set had some of the seam stitching coming apart on the 2 long bench cushions. The curved helm cushion is in very good shape. Not sure if the bench ones are useful to anyone - the foam is good and you could get them recovered I suppose. I don't want anything for them other than actual shipping cost, I hate to throw them in the landfill and thought I'd ask here first.
I'm on Long Island, so if you're local you could stop by and pick them up. Otherwise I can weigh them and get a UPS quote.

When I bought my C34 the PO had a Forespar whisker pole stored in chocks on the stanchions. I took it off because it was in the way, and at the time I wasn't ready to learn to use it. Now it's a few years later and I'm thinking it might be useful. However, I don't really know how the PO had deployed it, and unfortunately he had passed away and I bought the boat from his family that didn't know any details. From what I have read, typically a whisker pole is attached to the mast via a car on a track, or at least a ring. I don't see anything on the front of my mast except a cleat just above the deck, and a small unused padeye way up, just under the deck/steaming light fixture.

I've attached a photo of the ends of the whisker pole. Can anyone suggest how the PO might have deployed this, or a resource where I can find out more about using it?  I could attach a ring to the mast, but it seems unlikely to me that he had this on the boat with no way to use it... any advice welcome. During the winter I could install a better system once the mast is down.
Carlos 

hi all- I've tried to search but unfortunately mainsheet and block are way too commonly used.

My mainsheet blocks on my '86 might still be original. The sheaves aren't in great shape and I'm getting a lot of friction, so I'm looking to replace them and hopefully get smoother run on the mainsheet. I've seen some suggestions (such as Stu) on upgrading to Garhauer blocks - does anyone have advice on that vs. going with the the Catalina Direct "C-34 MkI Mainsheet Block Kit"? https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-34/rigging/running-rigging/cars-blocks-sheaves/c-34-mki-mainsheet-block-kit/

also I need to replace the blocks at the mast base, any suggestions? All I see are the ones on CD, or maybe Lewmar Synchro Halyard Blocks (though I'm not sure if the jaws will fit my mast base fitting, they don't seem to provide measurements of jaw width).

thanks!

Hi all, my "Catalina 34" logos on both sides had mostly broken off and only a few letters remained. My son took pity on me and designed and 3D printed replacements for me for Father's day. I'm sure the same has happened to many of you, so we'd be happy to send them to anyone that needs replacements and likes his design (unless the whole membership wants them!). I think they will fit in an envelope. They are definitely free, but if it arrives and you like them I guess you could paypal him a few dollars if you wanted to encourage him. PM me with your mailing address, or reply in this thread with any comments or suggestions. For those that are interested, he prints with PLA and these are 2-color (black letters on white background). We can just share the STL file if you know how to print or have one at your library.

He also made me a new cover for my ST4000+ autopilot a couple years ago after I had to replace the LCD. Fits great and seems to have held up perfectly in the sun here. Also willing to share those, but it won't fit in an envelope.

I'm getting stir crazy waiting for spring and boating season. Was looking over pics from prior years and thought people might like the replacement dinette I made from a teak cutting board. I still keep the original in case we need to drop it for the bed.

Hi all,
On my 1986 C34 the hoses from the 2 fresh water tanks meet at a Y connector just before the water pump under the galley sink area. Both have a shutoff valve to allow tank selection. One valve didn't survive winter - any suggestions for a good replacement? A ball valve would be better than this old style.
Thanks!

hi all,
we had bad winds last week and my old furler line broke, allowing the genoa to unfurl and subsequently get shredded before I was able to get out and check it.

I had a lot of other boat projects planned for the winter and cant' really afford a new sail at the moment. Does anyone have something serviceable for sale? Mine was a UK 150 or so, and came from the PO so I don't know the age. I don't race.

advice appreciated, as always...

Hi all,
I have 2 batteries now and am thinking of merging them to a house bank and adding a starting battery of a different type.
The PO left behind a battery combiner for charging but didn't install it.
Would it be reasonable to use the combiner to charge from the alternator to the house and starting batteries, or if they differ in type and charge needed would there be an advantage to using an echo charger? Are there other considerations?
Using a combiner is obviously preferred since it would be free.
thanks!

I removed my old LORAN antenna and now have a hole where the cable exited the top of the railing. What's the best pay to permanently patch or plug this to keep water from getting inside? Duct taped for now...

Hi all,
I just took ownership of 1986 hull 148, upgrading from a C25. Love it so far, but the list of needed repairs (including many of the critical upgrades) will keep me busy for a long time. Probably would not have bought it if this forum didn't give me a lot of the info I'll need to do the repairs myself.

One that seems sort of puzzling is that the ignition wiring is odd. For some reason, the key only comes out of the instrument panel switch when it is ON. The key won't come out in the off position.

Is this because the PO replaced the switch with a wrong type? Or could it be wired wrong? Any advice would be appreciated.
Carlos Simmerling