Messages

Gilbo,

I assume your compressor was mounted in the aft locker, yes? If so then you probably extracted the compressor through that locker which would leave no access to the copper refrigerant lines. I replaced my whole reefer unit a while back and found the best way for me was to remove everything in the aft cabin including; cushions, deck plates, aft cabin bulkhead, and water tank. This provides good access to the entire unit. I have a MK1 which is different but similar to the MK2 and I think the same procedure would still apply.

Dan,

Like you I'm still using my original CNG stove, it's safe and reliable and puts zero load on your batteries. When something works don't fix it.

Dave,

That's nothing I'd reinstall on my boat. Once the corrosion gets all the way through it's only a matter of time. That Catalina rudder is probably built by Foss if not I wouldn't expect it to be less expensive. After looking at their website a simple formula comes to mind, sailboat+custom+racing=$$$$. If you wanna play you gotta pay.

Dave,

I agree with most of the above but the hose barb (or fitting) at the bottom of the tank can be removed once the tank is empty. It can be reached with a wrench either by lifting the tank or reaching it from the rear bilge opening. The tank is much easier to wedge out with no fitting to hang up on and cutting a notch is unnecessary. Another thing you might want to consider is drilling drain holes in each corner in the low side of the tank pan. Should the tank develop a leak it will fill the pan with water and when the boat heels (especially to port) it can leak into the aft cabin. My tank is 37 years old (as is yours) developed a stress fracture, filled the pan and leaked into my aft cabin, it took me forever to figure out where that water was coming from. The drain holes will eliminate this problem at least until you can get around to repairing the tank.

Paul,

Three inches of growth! Seriously? With a bottom fouled that badly not only could that throw your prop/shaft out of balance but also you're not getting full RPMs and your cruising speed (sail or motor) could be down by 2 or 3 knots. You should think about finding a good bottom service when you're in the water.

Unfortunately since you're on the hard there's no way to check to see if this the cause of the problem at least not until you're back in the water. Although we can at least draw a conclusion. The problem started intermittently in August and got progressively worse into September until you pulled the boat. Makes sense it could be a growth problem, you drop a clean bottom into the water in the Spring but the days are still short and the water is still cold so growth is retarded. As Summer approaches days get longer the water gets warmer and growth accelerates. The growth rate aligns with the appearance and worsening of you problem. Other than check everything (which it sounds like you've already done) and of course clean the bottom I don't think I'd do anything until it's back in the water.

Pete,

It's unlikely Brad even still has the boat. When I've been bedeviled by hatch leaks the main culprit has usually been screw holes.

Eric,

I've always considered it to be caused by long term hull flex and has never caused me any problems over the course of 35 years. This last time I hauled the boat for bottom paint was the first time I had the yard guys do it. Along with bottom paint they replaced the prop shaft and cutlass bearing but they never even mentioned the crack so I assume they thought it was no big deal either.

ewengstrom,

I've had the same one at the rear since I got my boat in 1988 and I've considered it to be another Catalina Smile. When I pull the boat I just groove the crack and fair it with West Systems as required.

corapcarey,

An ancient stress crack that doesn't show, I'm sure you've got bigger fish to fry.

Looks like a PO thing to me that's obviously a replacement electrical panel. Before I started digging around behind the panel I'd flip that switch on then turn everything on then flip it off and see what happens.

Noah,

The big gas outboard guys have big bucks to go along with their big gas outboards. If you want to see some really big buck guys just attend any Warbird gathering, a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt for example burns around 165 gallons per hour and that's aviation gas not the inexpensive pump gas we put in our cars. Not to mention that beast requires frequent spark plug changes at around $30 apiece. The P-47 requires 56 spark plugs!

Jim,

This is the first time I've ever heard of dinghy cleats. And truth be told where ever you install them I don't see the point. While I have a Mk I it has a similar arrangement with a swim platform and ladder. When boarding or exiting the dinghy the operator just holds the dinghy fast using the ladder then with a shackle on the painter secures the dinghy to the railing. As always it's your boat (and dinghy), your choice of course but this setup seems overly complex and time consuming. Two lines and two additional cleats to secure the dinghy and when the dinghy is tied abeam to the stern of the boat it's going to bang against the transom in all but the calmest of waters. It just seems it's going to create more problems than it's going to solve.

ghebbns,

Sounds like batteries to me. How old are your batteries? When you tested them did that include a load test? When started this morning was it hooked to dockside power? Starters are pretty simple, if they get juice they crank, if they don't get enough juice they crank slowly or not at all. It's unlikely a starter ground problem since the starter is bolted to the engine block (a great ground).

Dave,

Where does fibrous material come from? Answer, fiberglass. It also looks like a fairly impressive crack in the fiberglass behind the shaft log. I'd say there's a date with your shipyard in the near future.

I was in Avalon (Catalina Island) in So Cal for a week when we got news of the approaching storm. The harbor dept informed us they were closing the harbor to prep for the storm. We cut our trip short and departed on the 19th. We motored home in a flat calm (calm before the storm?) and made it safely to our slip in Long Beach with no issues. It rained all day yesterday with some wind in the evening but that was about it. I don't think the storm was as big as anticipated but it was the first time I've ever been chased out of Avalon Harbor!