Messages

Cutting the shaft won't help:  In order to  get the correct length shaft from Catalina Direct, I need to get the exact length of the existing shaft.

  When Surprise is hauled for winter storage, I will need to replace the prop shaft. I am planning to start by loosening the set screws holding the shaft in the coupling and then  the stuffing box gland nut.  The next step would be to get the cutless bearing out of the skeg. By tapping the propeller's hub I am hoping to get the shaft out of the coupling.  Finally, I would remove the prop and the cutless bearing and pull the shaft completely out of the boat. If you have pulled the prop shaft, please let me know if my planned procedure will work.

Thanks,

Vic

Thanks,

Here's a picture.

 :cry4`I was about to start replalcing the hose leading from the holding tank to the "Y" valve, the hose  from the "Y" valve to the through-hull fitting and also to the deck fitting.  Although I had seen the plumbing many times during the years I have owned Surprise, I never really LOOKED at it until I was ready to start this project.  I found the plumbing arrangement in Surprise is counter-intuitive.  The head discharge goes into the bottom of the tank.  A hose from a point near the top of the tank goes to the "Y" valve, and from the valve other hoses connect to the macerator, the through hull and the deck pump out fitting.

I am curious to know if anyone else has seen this sort of arrangement in their boat.  Please let me know.

Vic

Thanks for the replies,

Using a wet/dry vac sounds interesting, but they are fairly expensive.  Would I have to throw the vac away when I'm done with this task?

Vic

Thanks for the replies,

Using a wet/dry vac sounds interesting, but they are fairly expensive.  Would I have to throw the vac away when I'm done with this task?

Vic

Just before Surprise was hauled at the end of last season, I had the harbor's pump out boat pump out the holding tank.  When I started to replace the holding tank's hoses, I found there is still stuff in the tank.  So i guess the pump out boat is not up to the task of getting everything out of the tank.  I am looking for suggestions as to how to remove the remaining bad stuff (probably several gallons) from the tank.
Thanks,

Vic Suben

Thanks for the info.  I'll contact Select Plastics.

Vic

 


The Bomar hatch just aft of the mast in Surprise is cracked at the corner near one of the dogs.  Can the lens itself be replaced, or do I need to replace the entire hatch.  If the lens itself can be replaced, are there any tricks or special metjpds that I need to pay attention to?  Also, where can I get a replacement lens?

Thanks,

Vic

Thanks for all the information.

Vic

   Surprise is a 1987 Mark I Catalina 34 with the M25XP engine.  The engine is fitted with an Oberdorfer raw water pump. I am trying to find an inexpensive source for an impeller for the Oberdorfer pump.

Thanks,

Vic

Thanks Stu,

I'll pick up a 7395 or its NAPA equivalent.

Vic

A few years ago I found a belt that the PO had left.  The belt was encased in a Gates 7405 sleeve, and lacking any other information about the belt, I installed it.  Today I replaced that belt with (you guessed it) at Gates 7405.  When I removed the old belt, I realized it was considerably narrower than the new belt.  Upon closer examination I notice that the old belt has a NAPA part no. 3VX400.  The new belt seems to working very well but I'm not sure which is the correct belt to use.  Does anyone know the correct part no. for the alternator belt?  My engine is the M25XP.

Thanks,

Vic

Thanks for the information.  The reason for the replacement is that I want to switch to a circuit breaker panel to get rid of the fuses.  When changing to the Blue Seas panels, space becomes a consideration and their m-type battery switch is a better fit than the e-type.

Vic

I am considering replacing the electrical panel in Surprise a 1987 Catalina 34.  As part of this change, I would also replace the main battery switch.  To select the correct switch, it would be helpful to know the cold cranking amps of the M25XP.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows the current draw of the starting motor.

Thanks,

Vic