Messages

John, I have replaced the wheel on my 1993 C36 with the folding wheel. Only problem I had with my Autohelm 4000 was with the plastic U clamps. Each had to be enlarged with a Dremmel tool and a large diameter, 3/4", 1/8 " thick neoprene fawcet washer added between the U clamps and the Autohelm plate. Without this change, I had problems with the Autohelm coming apart,

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

Michael, I had a similar problem last season with the same CO detecter. I had the problem when equalizing my batteries, due to the battery acid vapors produced during the equilalization procedure without adequate ventilation. You could be getting the same vapors during normal charging of your batteries in a closed spaced?
I don't think propane vapors would affect this CO detecter.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

I replaced my strut and shaft last spring due to a bent shaft. First make sure you do not have any bend in the shaft caused by the play in the cutlass bearing.
I obtained a dwg from Catalina showing the new way they enclose the sides of the filled area around the strut. It is now reinforced with glass cloth. After checking the strut bolts under the centerline water tank to make sure they are tight, grind out the crack outlining the filled area and apply glass cloth and then apply VC Tar2 barrier coat over the the area before applying bottom paint.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

I found an alternate supplier for Auto-Prop cone zincs at downwindmarine.com.  Just type autoprop in the search window. They have H5 zincs at $27.90.  Don't know if this a good deal since I am on my first zinc, only 15 years old in fresh water. Located the source after replacing my shaft last year and was concerned about using the original zinc.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

About five years back I did a little research in Florida on Golf Cart batteries. After visiting a number of Golf Cart suppliers and asking about various batteries, I found many were disappointed with the life of theit Trojan 105 batteries, and were using a battery supplied by US Battery. The US battery used was their U2200.I also found , at the time Cosco stores were selling this battery for about $50.

Coming back to Ohio I found Cosco in Cleveland did not handle the US Battery brand. I got in touch with US Battery and they informed me that they supply this same battery to Interstate as model US2200. I contacted the local Interstate wholesaler and purchased 4 batteries $229.83. I had to enlarge my battery box to 20 1/2 " since the base of the two batteries measured 20 1/4"x6 3/4". Original box measured 20 1/8" x 8 1/8".
I now have had 4 seasons with these batteries, two of which were spent cruising the North Channel and Lake Michigan for 7 weeks The charged voltage for the pairs settles out at 12.73 V after a month of disconnected storage on the boat. They are still performing like new batteries after 4 seasons, and I expect to get another 3 years out of the sets.To say the least, I am very satisfied with these batteries and would never consider the higher priced Trojans.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

I used Jack Morman at Michael A Thompson & Assoc, four years back on my 1993 C36
Excellent survey
313-924-9444

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 Windancer
Port Clinton, OH

Jeff, If you were purchasing an additive package today to do all those things,what would you put in your fuel tank?
I searched the FPPF, Howes and K100 web sites and couldn't find one additive that does all. Or do you buy Lubricity Plus Fuel Power from FPPF and a cleaner from some one else.
By the way,in looking at FPPF, I noticed they have a coolent treatment product, 4000 Cooling System Treatment, that is recommended by Yanmar and Hunter. I hate adding a cleaner-dispersent to my closed cooling system for fear of having problems with the coolant pump,
Had anyone used this product ?

Jack F Stewart

Both Cat34 and 36 boats come with either fin or wing keels.  You will find the main difference between the two boats is in the galley where the frig,dry storage and counter space on the C36 beats the C34.
We also looked hard at both boats before the Admiral selected the C36 because of the galley and other storage areas.
We do very little dinning ashore and when you have a wife who name is Martha Stewart what else would you expect?

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

Ken, If you go into the Sailrite web site, they have a good story on their recommendations on where and how to rig their anchor riding sail. Plus its simple to rig on one of the backstays and tying it off the mast base
Jack

Ken, My wife built an anchor riding sail tlast spring from a kit by Sailrite. They have two sizes, 12.5 ft2 and 20 ft2. We built the larger based on others experiences and our space on the backstay.
The C36 web site has an article by Bob Gauvreau whose wife built the smaller Sailrite kit.2004 article.
Steve Christensen wrote an article on his sail, 26ft2, made byKent Sails, for his Ericson 38.  Article in Good Old boat magazine, Vol3, No1 Jan/Feb 2001
Haven't used my sail yet.

Jack F. Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

I installed a second bildge pump this spring and have been very happy with it. I used a Rule 500GPH automatic pump(checks for water every 2.5 minutes) and a Rule 3-way panel switch with fuse (auto-off-manual).  I wired the switch directly to my windlass battery. To reduce backflow I went with 5/8 water hose and made a connection to the transom. Put a loop in the line near the pump, no check valve.  This arrangement pumps the bildge down to 1/2 inch and has little back flow. Battery drain is minimal with voltage drop on the battery less than 0.1 v after a week.
For less than $100 I have an excellent back up system that keeps my bildge almost dry.
I intend to use this system untill a hard freeze occurs to keep my bildge dry while on the hard. I  get over 6-12 inches of water entering down the mast in early winter and spring. Now I have to find a 12v temperature switch so I don't have to make a 2 1/2 hour drive to the boat each month during the winter to check the bildge.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

Ken, funny you brought up the subject of Spain. My wife and I lived in Cartegena in the spring of 1968 during the start-up of UP 48 at Escombrera 5..
I don't remember the Schaffners
What were you doing in Spain?
Jack F Stewart

Ken, Lime-A-Way is a mixture of organic and mineral acids. It contains 3% citric acid, 10% hydroxyacetic acid and 7.5% sulfamic acid. These are common acids used to remove hardness and iron deposits in boilers, except usually used at elevated temperatures, 200F and with flow over the surfaces. If the deposits are not removed in 1 hour, they will not be removed in 24 hours, and I am not suggesting you use this cleaner at any thing higher than room temperatures.
You are better off letting it soak for one hour, drain and put another fresh mixture in. I used to supervise cleaning of Utility boilers with stuff like Lime-A-Way
Just my opinion, not recommendation.
Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH