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Topics - Phil Spicer

#1
Main Message Board / Motor mounts
November 24, 2023, 02:35:58 PM
 Our motor is sitting in the galley so I could pull the transmission. I plan to put in new motor mounts and wondered why some have changed to vetus . Also some used 50's , some used 75's and some have mixed them. If using 50's and 75's, which were put in front and back and why? I' m looking for information so I can make a good decision.
 
#2
Main Message Board / Removing transmission
October 04, 2023, 12:19:07 PM
 Looking at some old posts about removing the transmission, some say the engine needs to move forward to remove it, some have said it will come out without moving the engine. Does that depend on the year,model? I have a 1988 mark l.
Tall rig,wing keel, #789. What does it take to pull the transmission? Can the engine move forward enough without removing the wiring?
It looks like the engine needs to come forward to get to the transmission, but this is all new to me. I need some guidance before I get in over my head.
  Thank you
      Phil
#3
Main Message Board / New cowl vent
February 27, 2023, 07:24:26 AM
It's time for new cowl vents. Found this Vetus on sale at Mauri Pro Sailing for about $44 less than
other suppliers. This newer model has a threaded ring that screws to the boat. The vent threads
onto the threaded ring and can be rotated into the breeze. Don't know when the sale is over but
I thought this was a good deal.
#4
Main Message Board / Cowl vent
February 26, 2023, 04:24:42 PM
Wife thought it was past time to replace the cowl vents. Found
Replacements at Mauri Pro Sailing for $84, a $44 savings over
other suppliers. A good sale.
The new design has a threaded ring that gets fastened to the
boat with 4 screws. Then the new vent screws to the threaded
ring.
#5
Main Message Board / Documentation Scam
October 06, 2021, 08:53:51 AM
 Just got a renewal notice from " National Documentation Portal." A reminder, this is private company. 
They charge $75 to do your documentation. If I remember, the Coast Guard changed $26. This came 3 months
before the Coast Guard sends my notice for renewal. You can save the boat bucks if you do this yourself.
I know this has been mentioned before, just a reminder, your boat,your bucks.
#6
Main Message Board / Leaking bolt on genoa track
June 18, 2020, 02:01:49 PM
Found a wet spot on the shower seat about the time I pulled the boat. Forgot about it until a storm last week and shower seat was wet again. I'm thinking wet core, I will have a real mess. Pulled the bolt and
Found the deck to be solid glass under the track.  Wonderful, no wet core to deal with. Sealed the bolt with
Butyl tape ( thank you Maine Sail) ,now wait for rain, or I could wash the deck.
#7
Main Message Board / Starting problem
July 17, 2019, 01:39:39 PM
   Had starter and alt checked out as preventative maintenance. Rebuilt as needed so all should be good. Checked that almost hidden inline fuse and cleaned it and the holder. Added a thin coat of dieelectric grease and  put it together. The first time I hit the starter button I got nothing. Did see volt meter drop. Hit the starter button another time or two and fired up.
   Fired right up last week and went for a sail. When I tried to start up to motor in I got nothing. Had to push starter button 3 or 4 times then the starter kicked in. Same thing yesterday. Had to hit the button several times before I got contact.
   Tomorrow I will clean the contacts on the starter. Pulled the panel and checked for loose contacts, nothing.
   Yes, I removed the gummy bear plugs. Where do I go from here? New starter button? Jack up my documentation
numbers and run a new boat under them?  I turn wrenches, I do glass work, but not wires. Please point me in the right direction.
   If I replace the starter button, how many amps should the button handle? I see 10, 25,and 35 amp starter buttons.
   Thank you for the help and suggestions
     Phil
#8
Main Message Board / How does the wing keel sail?
June 07, 2016, 12:42:46 PM
   Today I got a question from a gentleman looking at a c34, 2001 wing keel. " is the 34 good for coastal passages, sailing into 20 to 25 knots?"  I couldn't give him a good answer, I just sail the nasty chop on Lake Erie. How does our 34 sail up and down the coast? Can you help me a little?
#9
   After too many years messing around filling and draining the transmission each winter and spring (and often making a mess) I decided to modify the HX bracket for better access. So I wouldn't screw up the bracket beyond use, I thought I would buy another bracket  as a spare.
First  price I found was $265. I don't think so! A search finally got me down to $65. So I started from scratch. Made a new bracket that was 1-1/2" longer and dropped 3/4". (Ron. It clears the HX) A large arc in the plate gives plenty of room to get to the transmission fill. Workes great.
#10
Main Message Board / Finally a microwave
January 14, 2016, 07:39:49 PM
   Late last summer we went to a big box store that has a good marine section. My wife found a stack of small microwaves
marked $ 29.95. She said it may be time to put one on the boat. I think it took more time to pick a location than to do the install.
The post supports the nav station & keeps the microwave in place when under sail. Guest life jackets slide under the shelf and up behind the microwave for storage. Pull one out and another slides down. This is a good addition.
#11
Main Message Board / water pressure system
June 15, 2015, 06:13:15 AM
   Our fresh water pump started to cycle for about 1 second every 5 seconds. Messed with it. No dirt stuck in pump. Cleaned all metal in switch. Messed some more. No better.
   Ok, It's a 1988, came with the boat. How many more years can I get out of this pump?
   The pump size was 3.5 GPM. WM wanted $150 for a 3.5 GPM pump but only had a 4 GPM for $170. Went to a new marine store "Discount Marine" and got a 3.5 GPM Johnson Pump foe $115...and it's quiet.
How nice. Now its time to put in the quarter turn shut off valves and finish the job. I'm still thinking about putting the shut off valve in front of the pump or in the bilge so it's easy for others to switch tanks.
   Any other ideas for relocating the pressure pump or valves ?
#12
Main Message Board / Help with older winch parts
March 04, 2015, 03:13:52 PM
   While removing a winch my helper found water in the top of the main spindle. Thinking the winch had a lot of water inside
he dumped the water out...overboard. The main spindle went over with the water in the top of the spindle. We have searched the 12" to 18" of muck with no luck.
   So, I am looking for a main spindle & so far nothing. Has anyone replaced winches that would sell a main spindle?
   Boat is a 1988 C34
   Winch is Lewmar 46ST with 4 Phillips head screws on top. The Lewmar Wave Grip, made from 1983 to 1991.
   Any help out there?
#13
Main Message Board / Belt tensioner
December 08, 2014, 06:48:26 PM
   Needed to put a little tension on the alternator belt. Remembered some talk about a tensioner so  thought I would build one. $2.95 at the hardware. Got a 4" turnbuckle & welded a short length of 1/4" round on each end.
  Cut off the eyelets, bend 2 short lengths of round and weld them on the ends. Worked like a charm, saved some boat bucks & didn't have to check all the auto parts stores.
#14
Main Message Board / HX Location
November 12, 2014, 06:29:29 AM
   Just finished filling the transmission for the winter. What a pain getting to the dip stick to fill. The bracket and HX are in the way. Has anyone relocated the HX? I removed the bracket and plan to make it about 2" longer so the HX will clear the dip stick. May cut a small radius in the port side to help clear a socket and bend the bracket down 5 or 10 degrees to be sure to clear the exhaust riser. Any thoughts? Any warnings? 
#15
Main Message Board / transmission fluid leak
April 17, 2014, 03:28:17 PM
 Got under the cover today to check things out. Found transmission fluid behind the engine, just in front of the shaft log. Looks like it leaked out from the shifter shaft on the stb. side. I filled the transmission last fall to keep moisture from forming. Did this extra cold winter expand the fluid to the point the fluid pushed past the seal of the shifter shaft? Does this mean I need to replace the seal? Looking for some help. Will try to call Hurth tomorrow but starting here is always so good. And right now I need to feel good. Any "Thoughts?"
#16
Main Message Board / Winches
January 28, 2013, 10:08:11 AM
  For 3 or 4 years the jib sheets have been slipping out of the jaws of the winches. Thought the sheets looked thin from tension...New sheets slipped out too. i found a grove in the teeth of the crowns so last spring I machined the inside of the crowns & thinned the stripper ring to reduce the space between the teeth. A little better, but still not good.
  The wife said we should replace the really bad winch last spring & the other winch this spring. OK, lets chech boat show prices,ugh!
  Found an add for "Minney's Yacht Surplus" & I asked about used crowns. FoundNEW Lewmar 45CST winches for $995 & free shipping.......DONE ! Fedex said they will be here on Wednesday.
  I have read about others having this same trouble. As of last Thursday Minney's had 10 new 46's. I ordered 2. Just thought someone may like to know of a good price.  Check Minney's Blog or call them.
  I went with new winches because thw crowns are long out of production.
#17
Main Message Board / Shaft & strut location
May 30, 2007, 09:04:44 AM
All 34's are NOT created equal !!! Asked the yard owner to pull my prop so I could change the shaft, cutlass bearing, log & stuffing box. Yard owner said I would need to drop the rudder as well, "the shaft looks to be dead center on the rudder." With all of my knowledge from the MB I assured him the shaft would just miss the rudder. He shook his head & walked away. After the yard owner pulled the prop he said good luck.
The bottom line.He was right. I may have seen pictures here on the MB showing the shaft going past the rudder, but not on my boat ! The shaft couldn't be centered on the rudder any better than it is, or it would be off center.
The moral of the story is, the shaft may clear the rudder, or it may not, so be ready to drop the rudder if you pull the shaft.
The boat was sitting with the rudder over a steel walk way to a docks so digging a hole was not an option. The yard slopes enough so when I sat the rudder down on a small block of wood I could angle the post enough to pull the shaft. No digging, no moving the boat.
No need to post pictures, I'm sure you get the picture.
#18
Main Message Board / Crack in mast step
April 19, 2007, 05:59:56 PM
I had a crack at the base of the mast step. It was in the corner, back,starboard side.
Started to sand with my dremel tool & went through. Glass was very thin. No problem to patch. But...........why did I have water coming out of the hole? What is the construction inside the mast step box? I can not find any place foe the water to get into the box. I am about to cut the back off & see what is inside & look for damage. Has anyone been here before? Looked for some tech notes but I must not be using the right search words. No help so far. Any help out there?
#19
Main Message Board / Fire extinguisher location?
April 04, 2007, 05:00:29 PM
I have never mounted my second fire extinguisher. Have one vertical, under the nav station. I could use some suggestions for the second unit.
#20
Main Message Board / Gelcoat
April 22, 2006, 05:49:13 PM
I have looked way to long for the post that gave the web site for the company that supplies gelcoat to Catalina. I think it was a post from Ron. A little help please.
  Thank you
    Phil Spicer