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I would like to replace the small "O" rings on the opening handles for the old standard Lewmar ports.  I have several that are leaking from this area.

Would anyone know how to remove these handles?  The Lewmar site does not address how, but does address that the "O" ring in on the outside between the handle "button" and the acrylic.  I have tried to pry the "button" off without success.  Any help would be appreciated.

Just curious, did Westerbeke send you an exact replacement or did they "re-engineer" this part?
 

For five seasons of my ownership of this boat, it has not been in the water during any freeze period.  As far as I know, during it's prior ownership, there were no instances when it was in waters that were frozen.

As you correctly point out I am very lucky to have caught this and avoided bigger problems.

The speed and depth transducer thru hulls were not the problem.  The ball valves are all ok - they were not the problem.  All of the six thru hulls were winterized - so freezing was not the problem.  The issue was that the thru hull bedding on the head sink, galley sink and macerator had reached the end of it's useful life and no longer provided a seal.  I did stem some of the in flow of water by tightening the Marelon nut, but realized quickly that this was not a "fix".  I decided to replace all six of the thru hulls - the cost of this is cheap insurance relative to a failure down the line when it is not convenient.  As you can imagine, removing the thru hull without any damage is not always possible.  Defender sells these for about nine dollars each so renewing them is a no brainer.  When the boat gets back into the water I anticipate that this will never be an issue for me as this fix should out live my ownership of this vessel.   

At relaunch last week of my 1987 C-34, three of the six thru-hulls leaked at their hull/thru hull connection.  The leaking was a steady, but small stream of water, that unfortunately did not reveal itself until after I was out of the slings and in my slip.  I took the boat back to the marina.  One additional thru hull showed signs of leaking after the boat was hauled out--on the bottom of the hull the mushroom thru hull had a visible circle outline which was never there before.

I will have all six thru hulls rebed.  My boat was stored, on the hard, all winter.  I thought I would mention this to alert owners of other older C-34's to think about this task as a maintenance item.  The bedding apparently failed after nearly twenty years-not surprising.  The good news is that I was present to discover this!      

Regarding a new mainsail I have one being delivered in March.  The sailmaker is Neil Pryde Sails.  I found the construction/options/service and salesman to be very good.  This sail will be loose footed.

My dockmate, who has an 89 Catalina ordered his new sails from Scott Sails and stated that he is very happy with them.  One thought for you is that if you can wait until the fall boat show, you may find that you will get a nice price.  Even if you order it now you most likely would not have your new sail until the end of the season anyway.  I also priced through North, UK and Quantum - the lofts that make sails for most of the rock star racers.  Their prices reflect the genre they deal with.   

Just an additional suggestion, you might also "alert" the ABYC about this item.  Also inquire whether they have evaluated this thru hull and whether they have approved it.  Catalina boasts that their boats are ABYC approved.   

Usually a reading such as "no data" is indicative of the antenna not fully connecting.  On my Garmin, after several years of connecting and disconnecting the antenna, the connection loosened.  After recrimping it now works fine.  Perhaps this is the same problem on your GPS?

Hi Ron,

Just a reminder that the Fleet 12 Fall Meeting is November 12....Looking forward to seeing you then.

D. Gill / First Point of Aries 

I too have a 1987.  Last winter the same crack appeared.  I ground the area down enough to allow room for West System Epoxy to be applied.  Then I primed with Primocon from Interlux and two coats of bottom paint.  At haul out last week, no crack is evident.  I was told by some that the crack was nothing to worry about, but filling it seemed like the right thing to do.   :)