Catalina 350 International Association

A belated update to "fuel leak": not fuel, it is anitfreeze. I say "is" as still is; a small leak into bilge after engine cools. I finally purchased a tool to pressurize the cooling system. At 14 lbs.pressure overnight approx 2 oz. of fluid was in the engine bilge and pressure do...

I've had some issues with high sodium in engine oil samples. Earlier thinking this was from sea water intrusion. Perhaps this is something else- antifreeze getting into engine oil (sodium 940 ppm, potassium 30ppm and antifreeze at 1.88%) All these values are alarming, perhaps indicating a problem wi...

You mention "warned for disturbing .(.sea grass)". It does not take much to reduce flow in your sea strainer located under the aft cabin bed just off centerline- and sea grass can easily get into this. Hope that is your only issue. Open it up, pull out strainer. I expect some sea grass wil...

John: My 350 (No. 209) as well as the large table has a smaller table, about half size that came with the boat. Perhaps Catalina has these available.

Not fond of acids for many reasons I prefer to simply ream out the tubes in the exchanger every so often. You can make a "tool" for this from a coat hanger. Unwind one, straighten out the big bends leaving the tight twisted end intact. Use a smaller wire hanger, I think you'll find it fits...

Jim: On M. Kai we install two 100w flex panels on top of the bimini . We use elastic ties running thru the holes for backstays as well as secondary attachments over the forward end of the bimini. We have the panels connected through the backstay opening, down the backstay and thru and extra opening ...

Mike: On C350 the discharge from the holding tank does get blocked up easily (even non-boat specific TP will do it). If you do not haul out the boat to solve this you can go out to sea 3+ miles and shove heavy gage, stiff wire up the discharge to eventuially loosen the blockage. I'd sure pump out th...

I replaced Mando 51 amp factory alternator with same (Mando Part No. 18-5966, 55 amp rating) about a year ago. 2004 boat had seemingly low alt output. A big improvement in charging batteries with the new alternator; also as a direct replacement pretty much a "plug and go". kept old one as ...

I was told the original glue used was heat sensitive. I was able to reattach the veneer by using a clothes iron over a cloth, moving it around before getting too hot. Seemed to work, but it's only been a month or so.

Dave: I recoated the interior using a "clear" gloss (NOT satin) interior polyurethane (varathane) product. This resulted in a noticeably darker finish. As to the marks you have and using Pledge: I did the same, had to bleach out spots (which did not work too well) then used a "touch-u...

The lengthy discussion is full of great advice... but I did not see what can be another simpler problem, simple to solve if.... the foot attachment inside the mast (an "s" hook) is not pulled up tight. This allows the "s" hook to lie a bit flat and occasionally catch in the mast ...

We hope the evidence of a small amount of salt water intrusion did come from excessive cranking. We did crank without starting longer than advised once when the boat was well heeled to starboard (20-25 deg+); had to level it out to start. Seems when the sailing/hull angle puts the exhaust thru hull ...

Hot exhaust port resolved: cleaning injectors and re-adj valves seemed to fix the problem. But.... I had sent oil for an analysis and got back from Blackstone Labs the following: " Engine has contamination problem. Potassium (75) sodium (2104) ratio indicates salt water or coolant present in th...

I have a professional coming out this week to check on the cause of this event and hopefully his servicing the engine will resolve the issue. Cleaning the injectors and valve adj, timing check are on the list. I have not had valve clearances adjusted, had engine from approx. 200 hrs to now 620. The ...

Ouch! I had some white smoke at higher RPM (2700) on my Universal M35B engine. Inspection with a laser temp sensor showed the exhaust ports to read: #1 cylinder @ 120 deg; #2 @ 132 deg; #3 at 190 deg; #4 at 140#. I suspect the No. 3 port temp may be a symptom of an exhaust valve failure. Engine temp...

Fat cat: I had a similar issue, I expect started when I had a full to overflow holding tank. Solution was to place a hose over the vent on the outside of the hull and force water back through the vent tube. A short blast or two apparently open the vent tube.

Rather than deal with a fixed seat we use a bean bag; versatile, easy to move around, comfortable, inexpensive.

Mike: A great many posts/ discussions cover this topic pretty thoroughly. So many owners found the problem was in the damper plate, not the transmission. I'd read all you can before investing in a new transmission.

I've been intermintently seeing small amounts of diesel in my engine bilge. Placed blue indicator towels in and around many place this could be coming from, still have not find the source. Suggestions welcome.

Hi Nick. Hope you can send the mic to: John Norton, 7334 Marina Pacifica S. Key 8, Long Beach, CA 90803