Messages

Ray, Jack, and Randy:

I guess Gorbash must be the fourth boat that was mentioned.  We've been at Anacortes Marina for 10 years or so, first in a C27 and then the C34.  We've had sailboats in salt water in the Seattle area for 31 years.  

In the early years I put antifreeze in the fresh water system but left the engine as is for the winter.  For the past 10 years, we've done no winterizing at all except to leave two dehumidifier heaters on and a West marine electric heater set for 36 degrees or so.  We've never had any freeze damage at all in spite of having fresh water from slow running dock faucests freeze over around the boat.  I've come to believe that sitting in 45 degree moving salt water keeps things from getting too cold.

As was mentioned by someone else, we use the boat all winter, either to go on weekend trips or to use as a winter cabin.   This provides an excuse to fire up the diesel heater and engine to bake everything out.  When temperatures are in the teens for two or three days in a row, I do head up to the boat to check on the heaters and warm up the engine and boat.  I have a propane heater to use as backup should the electricity fail.

Just a note on weather...this year is a mild el Nino year so we should see warmer and drier weather than usual.  It's the neutral years that bring strong cold snaps.   As yo probably know, the one weather pattern to watch for is the Fraser outflow that freezes Anacortes but leaves Seattle fairly warm.

Randy, you have a different set of issues on the hard.  I'd certainly keep a safe electric heater on board set above freezing and have a plan to have someone local (I'd be willing) check things out if the passes become impassable from Spokane.

After smelling strong diesel under the dodger while motoring, I tried putting our carbon monoxide detector at various spots under the dodger.  Sure enough, when conditions are right, the detector will see up to 50 units.  Can't remember what the scale is.  It's not enough to set off the alarm but may explain the headaches we both get sometimes when motoring.

Now we open the zippers in the front of the dodger to let fresh air flow through.  The detector goes to 0 and the headaches disappear.  I'm assuming this is the same thing that happens in a car or van when you leave the hatchback open.

I've never detected any CO in the cabin but we always have some air flowing through.

Dan,

One last check to be sure were not playing with words instead of reality...
How far down is your floor?  Does it close off the bottom of the locker so you can't see your cold machine compressor?  I'd be amazed if Catalina actually trapped the compressor under something not easily removed.

I'll be interested to hear what Catalina says.

Randy

For what it's worth...My hull number is 1268 and there is no sign that anything resembling a floor was ever installed.  My Cold Machine is mounted to a piece of plywood about two feet down.  Makes me wonder if the previous owner installed the floor in your locker.

I've replaced the electronic module and cleaned the grill by squeezing one shoulder into the opening.  I'm 6'2" so it's not easy but it can be done.

The store in Seattle that carries the pins is the Offshore Store at 3400 Stone Way N  206-632-3025. They've had them in stock every time I've needed them.

After replacing 6 or 7 pins, I decided to shotgun the problem and replaced the rollers, roller shaft and belt.  Only time will tell if this completely solves the problem.  The autopilot is now quite a bit easier to engage and I suspect that a stiff old belt combined with worn rollers added enough additional load to cause the pins to fail in shear.  The Offshore Store also carries the roller kit and belts.

It's my opinion that the pin design is a bit marginal to start with.  I found out on vacation a few years ago that the shear forces on that pin are so high that only a drill bit would serve as a temporary pin.  Everything else including single roll roll pins sheared off immediately.