Topics

Buying new sails. 

My loft always recommends our mainsail be fully battened. I've seen others that go standard with partial battens.

I'm wondering, Did C34's come with full or partial battens?

We are planning some extended cruising this winter and are considering adding Starlink for work (emails and voip calls).

Does anyone here have it and can you share your experience as far as installation, cost, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Boy were we lucky!

Helene delivered an 8' storm surge to our slip in New Port Richey and Breathing Room survived thanks to heavy prep two days prior (fender boards, loose lines, tide minders, doubled lines).

The yacht club did not fair as well with four feet of water ruining everything as did the surrounding neighborhood. Sad.

Milton hit at low tide 50 miles south and sucked the water down at low tide. High winds and lots of rain.

45 days till this hurricane season ends.

Today I replaced my keyed ignition switch and tested the install while I had the instrument panel off. Everything worked (all gauges). Turned off engine (M35B) and put the panel back in place.

Restarted the engine afterwards and now I have no gauges working....

I pulled the panel back off to look for a broken or loose wire and can't find anything loose....

Any thoughts?

Is there a fuse or breaker somewhere on the MKII for the gauges?

Is there a fuse at the helm on the panel?

Engine starts fine.

Thanks in advance.

While in Erie visiting Jim Hardesty aboard Shamrock a couple weeks ago, I noticed his cabin fan and ordered one for the aft cabin.

I've installed it and have run the wire directly to the electrical panel. I want to connect it to the cabin light switch instead of direct to 12 volts because that way I won't kill the battery if I forget to turn off the fan (which is likely to happen since it is back in the corner of the aft cabin by the AC vent behind the head sink)

Can anyone give me input on how to jump it off the cabin light switch on the panel?

Thanks in advance. 

Aboard today I stepped into the head to take a shower. When I turned on the switch then opened the faucet, I got no water and heard the water pump cycle in 1 second intervals.

I go the galley sink, turn on the water...no issue...full flow. It looks like there are two fresh water pumps under the galley sink (one for the the shower and one for the galley sink).

Any ideas on what the problem with the shower is? It worked fine a few weeks ago.

Thank you for your input.

Installing an AC system under the v berth and built a plenum out of pine that will sit on top of the starboard vberth hanging locker. I've tried staining the pine to remotely match the surrounding teak but cannot come close.

Next phase is to match the color of the white Formica that it will sit on and pain it that color. Any idea what color matches? I've read antique white...

Thanks in advance.

Have a new wind instrument (there wasn't one on this boat) that I am hoping to install. Is there any way to run the cable from the masthead into the cabin without unstepping the mast?

I see what looks like a messenger string at the bottom of the compression post n the bilge. 

This is my first deck-stepped mast. On our keel stepped mast it was simple.

Thanks in advance.

Sold

I need to replace the mainsail and have started looking at options / pricing.

The sail loft I used for our last boat in Pensacola wants $2900 for 8.5 Oz Dacron - full battened with two reefs.

National Sail has a standard Catalina 34 sail for about $1400. https://nationalsail.com/sails/catalina-sails/catalina-34-std-rig-sails/catalina-34-std-mainsail/

They said it would be about $600 extra to add the Dutchman (like our current sail) but I think that system negatively affects the sail shape when deployed so will probably just add Ladyjacks.

Any input on who is the go-to for reasonably priced cruising mainsails would be great!
Thanks in advance!
Rick

All, our new to us C34 has a small Bimini over the helm and a dodger.  There is a large space with no sun cover.

Being that we are in south Florida, we won't use the dodger much except for the few winter months and while making passages.

We are looking for ideas where we can redo the Bimini (and frame) to extend the entire way from the back of the cockpit to the companionway with the ability to attach a spray shield / dodger to the front of the modified frame as I'm afraid this will require 86 ing the current dodger and frame.

I have seen C34's with a connector piece between the Bimini and dodger but we don't want the obstructed view of the dodger (except for the times mentioned above).

I had a canvas guy give me an estimate to do this and he proposed the full Bimini with zip-on isinglass panels to act as a dodger.

If you have a full Bimini can you please share what you have done with a photo?

Thank you in advance!

I have searched here and have used Google searching this forum and elsewhere but I'm afraid I still need help.

Yesterday our tach stopped working (M35B) When I got back to the boat today I:

1) Checked the sender wire on the back of the alternator (original stock unit)loosening and tightening all good.

2) Tested battery level with engine and battery charger off using a multimeter.

3) Tested the voltage with the engine running at a fast idle read approximately 14 volts.

4) Volt meter at helm engine pod shows about 13 volts with engine running.

5) Removed tach from pod, turned the adjustment screw back and forth...remounted and still nothing. I did notice that the tach needle budged a little downward when energized.

Looks like a replacement on Catalina Direct is about $175.

I am leaning on buying a new tach but thought I would check the group here first for ideas.

Thanks in advance!

I ordered the replacement seals for all six Lewmar ports. I'm an optimist, but want to have replacement gaskets if necessary. 

Catalina Direct and Defender show these gaskets are out of stock. Has anyone found another source for these (or possibly the company that manufactured these for Lewmar)?

Thanks in advance.

As we make our way through our list two things I plan to tackle first:

1) The original Sherwood RWP started weeping on our six hour delivery. I've ordered the Oberdorfer N202M-908 that is a newer version that does not require modification to fit. Fingers crossed. 

2) I've noticed that the little green light (AC indicator) on the electric switch panel at the nav station is not illuminated. I know we have AC, as the battery charger shows power as do the outlets when I plug in an iPhone charger. Any ideas on what could cause this not to be lit when plugged into shore power? Is there a replacement bulb or diode?

Thank you in advance.
Rick

Hello all,

Just purchased a 1998 34 MK II from the original owners who loved her and took great care. We are in the Tampa area in New Port Richey.

After owning a 89 Ericson 32-200 for the past 13 years, I was looking for an online owners group that had the same level of support and information. This group definitely has it!

Some of the items we are needing to address include replacing the standing rigging, a fresh set of sails, sealing those pesky Lewmar port leaks and adding an 16k BTU AC system. 

Happy Holidays!

Rick