Catalina 350 International Association

Did you mean mph or kts? 6.25 mph is only 5.4 kts.

If you haven't already purchased an AIS receiver, you might consider a VHF radio with built-in AIS. I have a Standard Horizon GX2100 interfaced to a Garmin 4800 Chartplotter. Interfacing is very easy. Standard Horizon now sells a VHF with a built-in AIS transceiver.

Check with Charles; they may add a switch for AGM batteries to the back of your old charger if you send it back to them. Also, West Marine sells AGM batteries that may be charged using a wet cell voltage. I have AGM 4Ds with a Mastervolt 40 amp charger (AGM Setting), solar panels (AGM setting) and t...

Those batteries are heavy! I rigged a block and tackle to the boom to ease the batteries to the deck and onto a slide to get them to the dock. It was easier than I thought it would be.

Are you still in Punta Gorda ?

I use chain plate something like the one shown here: http://www.downwindmarine.com/Sea-Dog-Chain-Gripper-Plate-Stainless-Steel-p-90892237.html. I bought mine at West Marine many years ago. It has never fallen off. It is also possible to use a kellet for shock absorption although the kellet may be co...

Hans, Habor Mobile Marine, http://harbormobilemarine.com/, replaced my damper plate. The old one looked just like the new one - no apparent deterioration. He also replaced the damper plate on Two If By Sea , a Catalina 36 on P Dock. I ordered the damper plate from PYI and new cap screws from Torrese...

Upon hauling our boat in 2011, we found that the hard bottom paint that had been applied four years ealier was cracking. So the paint needed to be sanded off before applying new paint. With the bottom sanded and the major amount of the cost being the labor for sanding, I decided to have an epoxy bar...

My boat is docked behind my house. Using a clamp meter, I see 150 ma AC on the ground wire from the dock receptacle to the boat AC plug if 1) the AC ground wire is connected from the ground of the dock receptacle to the ground of the boat receptacle with A/C white & black either connected or not...

The Catalina supplied 4D wetcell batteries lasted one year on our boat. I replaced them with 4D AGMs. They lasted 8 years. I just replaced them again this summer. I like AGMs partly becuase I don't have to add water or woory about acid fumes. Dividing the cost by 8, the cost per year isn't so bad. I...

With a clean bottom & 14X10 prop, I get six kts at 2400 rpm in absolutely flat water. The boat slows down alot just motoring as chop increases. Last week, I only managed 5.2 kts. You might ask what Catalina 36 owners get; the 36 has the same engine and I believe the same transmission but the 36 ...

How did we pressurize the fuel tank? I have an electric air compressor that I use to inflate the dinghy. We put duct tape around the compressor hose fitting and the part of the fuel tank port leaving a little air gap so as to not allow the pressure in the tank to build up too much. Not recommended f...

The engine will run without the lift pump! I know because we found the lift pump bad while offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. After running about 24 hours after leaving the dock, the engine stopped. In the troubleshooting process, we replaced the fuel filters although they were clean, replaced the fuel...

Barry,

I routinely test the bildge pumps espically before a long cruise. Two weeks ago I found the schank on the check valve had broken. The flapper didn't seal so the pump continously cycled when I added water to the bildge. Replacement of the check valve solved the problem.

Before installing a higher power charger, check the specifications for air space required around the charger. The higher power charger will generate more heat than the 30 amp Charles Charger so it will need more cooling. Also, you will to replace the fuses with higher capacity fuses or circuit break...

If you take the cap off and coolant doesn't flow from the expansion tank to the coolant manifold on the engine, checkfor blockage in the very narrow passage in the neck of the manifold just below the radiator cap. Remove the elbow connected to the overflow line from the manifold. If you cannot poke ...

Barry,

Stix & Rigging replaced my anchor light with a LED light fixture.

I mounted mine on the port side of the stern.

Right or wrong, I have always used the 2 micron Racor filter. I personally think for me, changing the Racor filter is easier than changing the primary filter. Since I have an ample supply of both engine & Racor filters, I will stick with them until I run out. I have always replaced the Racor fil...

Coolant level never rises as engine heats up? If so, check the very small diameter passage in the neck of the coolant reservoir. If the coolant level in the expansion tank is higher than the reservoir, coolant should flow out of the reservoir when you remove the pressure cap. If it does not, I belie...