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Messages - KeelsonGraham

#226
Main Message Board / Re: Motor mounts, M-35
October 14, 2021, 01:56:49 AM
Hi Breakin,

I'm in exactly the same position as you. I need new mounts for my M35B, I'm not an engineer and I don't know any skilled machinists. So I have no option other than to purchase the Wb variety which, here in the UK, cost $382 each and take 8 weeks to arrive. :?
#227
Hi Ron, that's not a good analogy. When you buy a windlass remote kit you get both the transmitter and receiver. Clearly, these two will work together.

The (electrical) issue is whether the outputs from the receiver are in in way proprietary to the manufacturer. I'm guessing that they probably aren't.
#228
OK, so I bought the Maxwell reversing solenoid. Now I need a wireless remote control to operate it.

I'm assuming that any manufacturer's remote will be OK? Because all it's doing is switching the low current side of a relay. The Lofrans one looks good.

Has anyone had any experience with this? Presumably there's no particular reason to go with a Maxwell controller?
#229
Main Message Board / Re: Hydrovane - Who Has One?
October 02, 2021, 04:38:11 AM
Thank you Noah
#230
Main Message Board / Hydrovane - Who Has One?
October 01, 2021, 12:47:11 PM
There's a picture of a C34 MkII with a a Hydrovane fitted on Hydrovane's website. So I know it can be done. Does anyone here have one fitted? If so, what's your opinion of it?

I'm looking for something with its own rudder to act as a back up. Hydrovane looks rock solid but heavy!
#231
Main Message Board / Re: Long Passage Capacity Limits
September 15, 2021, 11:57:24 AM
Hi Stu,

Yes, I'm thinking of marine ply for the biggest ones. But I'm damned if I can think of a way of securing them without drilling a ton of holes in the superstructure. Highly undesirable. In any case these are weapons of last resort. The key thing, in my view, will be to get onto the series drogue early. This will substantially reduce the risk of a knock down.

We're going with the Rainman portable watermaker powered by a Honda 2000. The Rainman's output is incredible, which will make for a much pleasanter crossing. Plus we should be able to sell it on at the end of the trip
#232
Main Message Board / Re: Long Passage Capacity Limits
September 15, 2021, 08:47:46 AM
Hi Stu, yes, I read Steve's reports on his trip. In fact I've read just about everything I can find on ocean passages in the Cat.

My biggest concern is the strength of the fore hatch. I'll probably make a fibreglass cover for it. But, TBH, once I've got down as far as the Canaries, the biggest wind-related risks are probably over. Years ago my parents crossed in their (ocean-going) Vancouver 32. The crossing itself was quiet but they suffered a Force 11 on the way to Las Palmas. Planning to fit a Jordan series drogue just in case.

Hi Holger. My CE rating is A but I attach no credibility to that. The Catalina is clearly a coastal boat designed for coastal cruising, so taking it offshore is a calculated risk.

I think that 850 kg thing is a bit of a red herring. It simply doesn't feature in US documents.

What probably matters a lot more is balancing the mass across the boat. Maybe biased towards the stern given that the crossing is all downwind.
#233
Main Message Board / Re: Long Passage Capacity Limits
September 14, 2021, 02:08:56 AM
Interestingly, I can't find any mention of maximum payload on US sites, or in any of the original Catalina documentation. So, maybe this 850 kg thing is a bit of extra European bureaucracy.
#234
Main Message Board / Long Passage Capacity Limits
September 13, 2021, 08:24:58 AM
Hi all,

I'm trying to asses how viable it would be to do the ARC Atlantic in my C34 Mk II. I've made my peace with all the issues discussed around ocean sailing on this forum. This is a low latitude trade wind route so I think the risk factor is reasonably low.

However, what I'm REALLY struggling with is the European CE rating plate on the boat. This sets the maximum payload at 850 kg. I can't for the life of me see how I can plan for 25 days at sea with a weight limit of only 850 kg. Diesel, water, food and 3 crew alone brings this up to 900 kg.

None of the big passage making threads on this forum seem to mention weight limits and whether it's safe to exceed them.

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

#235
Hi KW,

I consulted in person with AllSpars who are probably the most respected riggers in the UK. They didn't say you mustn't drill more holes in the mast. In fact they said that they have done this for many customers - always re-riveting the old holes. However, on balance they thought it better to machine up an aluminium adapter, anodise it and fit that instead.

They did offer to discuss it with the mast manufacturer but I generally feel happier with the adapter plate approach.

I'm more familiar with aircraft structures, where drilling large numbers of weight-saving holes in key structural members is the norm. But, unlike aircraft, these are small radius holes which must to some extent concentrate stresses. If we can avoid this why would we not?
#236
Main Message Board / Re: Newbie Electrical Question
September 08, 2021, 06:09:58 AM
Thank you KW. More very useful insights.

I'm not planning to go near the 240v system. But now I at least know what I'm looking at and how to look for a suitable DC CB to tag my AIS transceiver onto!
#237
Main Message Board / Re: Newbie Electrical Question
September 07, 2021, 06:03:19 AM
Thank you Dave. Now I understand!
#238
Main Message Board / Re: Newbie Electrical Question
September 07, 2021, 02:24:01 AM
Thank you KWK. That post was a really useful read. So, the strips I was referring to are not simply a common ground - apparently. And yet on my boat I see no red wires emanating from either strip. Unless the PO used green/white for positive.
#239
Main Message Board / Re: Newbie Electrical Question
September 06, 2021, 12:03:48 PM
Thank you Stu. So, effectively, the DC busbar is on the circuit board. That explains it!
#240
Main Message Board / Newbie Electrical Question
September 06, 2021, 05:22:18 AM
Apologies for asking such a dumb newbie question. I've searched the technical wiki and can't find the answer, probably because it's too basic.

Looking behind the electrical panel I see two rows of connections attached to the hull which I assume form a common (negative) busbar?

So, is there also somewhere a common positive busbar?? In aviation parlance a 'DC busbar'. Presumably not every CB on the panel is connected directly to a battery terminal??