Catalina 350 International Association

Bob,

Strongly suggest you check with local yards/dealers.

Best bottom point for the Pacific NW is likely to be different than in Florida or for boats in fresh water.

Said another way, I don't believe there is one best paint for all conditions.

Jack, Sounds like you are on top of maintenance. Sadly, many owners aren't! My diesel mechanic is questioning why you mentioned "valve adjustment. The engine is Kubota. I go by their maintenance interval for valve adjustment (800 hours): https://www.kubotausa.com/service-support/maintenance-sch...

Scott, Wish there were a wire routing that would be shorter. Guess no chance of coming down port side with its shorter run to the batteries OR battery switches. But, oversize the wire gauge will help compensate for longer runs. Use the 3% voltage drop tables and remember wire run is positive PLUS ne...

Probably need to separate Preventive Maintenance (I am a STRONG BELIEVER!) vs Break Down Maintenance. My mantra is "fix it before the trip/before it breaks" and have less issues underway. How many hours on the engine-- valve adjustment? boil out heat exchanger? replace raw water impeller? ...

OK, a "counter-point". After doing a LOT of cruising on a number of boats with fully battened mains (most of it in a Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37') I was very dubious about the in-mast furling on the Catalina 350. Does it give as much power as a fully battened main-- no. Is it a good compr...

Until you are very comfortable with the boat-- sail handling, maneuvering, etc AND with its mechanical condition, I would not plan on "learning" offshore. Said another way, out in the Atlantic is not where to learn that the batteries that showed good while plugged into shore power are dead...

Yup, long distance cruising is VERY different than day sailing/weekend sailing. Not better or worse, but certainly requires a whole additional level of skill sets. Agree, not everyone's cup of tea. Do what YOU enjoy! And, if you experiment with new experiences, whether on land or water, you need to ...

Definitely a"Bubba" job to use 5200 on anything that may ever need to be removed!

Glad you got it fixed.

Worst case, it may be that I will have to get a panel cutting drill attachment of a slightly larger diameter to cut the fiberglass and get it out. Marinco tech specs for the outlet: https://www.marinco.com/-/media/inriver/12VRC_SPEC.pdf?modified=20200227133342 Installation instructions: http://www....

"Mounted vertically"??? So water can get down in it. And, wired to cabin lights suggests a "less than electrically enlightened" previous owner did this. Unless you really like that location, find something that can serve as a cap for that hole and relocate the 12 VDC outlet to th...

OK, 15 minutes labor and zero parts cost.

Sounds like a great "fix".

If it is not working, I would access the back of it and check the connections. Only takes 5 minutes to remove the screws holding the instrument panel (assuming that would access the back of that 12 VDC outlet).

Hi Barbara, I'm not sure what enlarging that access door will buy you that you can't reach with the aft cabin engine panel off. I use that door to open/close the engine raw water through hull, quick check for leaks, etc. and that's about it. Bill Atlanta Elizabeth G #193 Same here, plus access the ...

No question, a visual inspection of the "engine room" every 25 hours is important to mechanical reliability.

DO IT!

Chris,
Suggest you post a picture of the hose to belt clearance area of concern.

Brett

YOU MAY WANT TO START A SEPARATE THREAD ON THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES--that way others with electrical experience will be more likely to see it and respond. Yes, we are assuming the smart regulator is properly programmed. 14.25 VDC is fine for bulk and absorption modes. But at 20 amp charge rate I suspec...

1500 engine RPM should be plenty to provide reasonable charging. Many of us have a higher output alternator, but that doesn't address your charging at only 20 amps with an 80 amp alternator and smart regulator. You are going to be looking at a LOT of engine run time at that very low charge rate. Ass...

For a snubber, I like 10 feet of 1/2" 3 strand. I WANT some stretch to moderate the "yank" as chain comes taut. Anything of larger diameter or with less stretch doesn't mitigate that sharp yank. BTW, at least given the forecast at this time, I don't see February 4th as a go-- wind ESE...

Guinevere wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 11:58 am I built my own out of Starboard.
Bob

Bob,

Very nice work.

Only way I would do it is thru bolt with fender washer on the inside (all stainless steel).

You have to make strong enough that if someone is thrown into it in a seaway that it won't crack the FG.

Would not use 3m 5200 as you may want to remove it at some point.

Jamie, Electrolysis substantially increases the corrosion/oxidation. Check for both AC and DC current-- one probe on the engine component, the other on something in the water. Just dangle one end of a wire (strip an inch or so) in the water and bring the other end to the engine so you can use your m...