Category Archives: Customizations

“Bobstay” Strap for Asymmetrical

Reinforcing the Anchor Roller for a Spinnaker Tack Point;
Spinnaker Running Gear Ideas


By Tim Porter, C380 #199 Serendipity
Mainsheet, December 2011

The forward end of the C380 anchor roller is 20 inches ahead of the forestay attach plate, 10 inches ahead and clear of the bow pulpit, and on Serendipity was just begging to be used as the tack point for an asymmetrical spinnaker! The only issue was the upward load put on the anchor roller attachment in anything more than a light breeze. I solved this problem by having a “bobstay strap” made which attaches to the bottom of the anchor roller and the existing chainplate for the forestay located on the stem (photo 1). The strap has the additional benefit of strengthening the anchor roller in the downward direction, making it less likely you’ll damage it with excessive loading while weighing anchor (stuck anchor, pulling up a

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Winch Rite – Review

Posted by: “Joseph A. Revak, DMD, MAS” joenopain1@verizon.net joenopain1
Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:01 am (PDT)

Steve,
I do have the Winch Rite. I only use it for raising the main. It would be to bulky for jib sheeting. I like it for the main. I also have the Tides Marine Strong track system. When I first got the Winch Rite I used the slow speed to raise the Main, now I use the higher speed and it does just fine. A LOT less work for my back. It is usually Diane and I on the boat so, as someone said with the Strong system I could raise the main at the mast easily, but we always raise the Main from the cockpit and there is the additional resistance from the blocks.

Where I really like it is at the beginning of the season while I feed the jib into the furling slot, Diane can raise the jib’s halyard, which she had difficulties doing with a winch. I have not seen the electric winch handle on the bikini model. Warren I have seen some REALLY great premolars and molars lately though!
I hope every one is out on the water,
Joe Revak, C-387 # 74

Nav Pod Replacement – EP162

A few years ago I converted the Seaward engine control pod on my C380, hull #199, to the NavPod EP162 pod that NavPod supplied to Catalina for use on some later/other models, and was apparently designed to be used with the Yanmar engine.  The EP162 is very nice as its sleeker looking and aims the instruments upward for a better view from the helm, and NavPod is selling them for $99 right now (ad in current Mainsheet).  The gauges used with the Westerbeke all swap over perfectly and most holes are pre-cut.  This project is likely applicable to other Catalina models that use the Edson pedestal and the older Seaward pod.  Here is a rundown of the project.

First off, my boat was fitted with two wiring tubes from the cockpit sole up to the original pod.  The port side tube contained all the engine wiring and kill-cable.  The starboard

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My Fifty-Cent Door Stop

By: Richard Herbst, La Mariposa, C380, # 93

Mainsheet Novemember 2010

My boat did not come with any type of latch or bumper to keep the head door from swinging into the shower doorframe.  So the door was always left closed.  However, while in a seaway, the latch would work and the door would eventually swing open.  The head door handle would then start banging into the shower door frame and eventually put a dimple in the shower’s aluminum doorframe.  This did not seem healthy to any of the parts involved.  I evaluated the cost and appearance of standard doorstops available in marine and hardware stores.  Nothing looked right and the marine stuff cost well over $50, more than I wanted to spend.  After some creative pondering, I came upon the idea of using a white eraser.  I cut it to a pleasing shape and mounted it to the shower

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Cockpit Sheet and Winch Handle Bags

By: Steve Riddle – Blue Heron, C380 #194

Mainsheet, November 2010

I get tired of the tangle of genoa sheet tails in the cockpit.  They usually end up at the ends of the “T”, but they still get under foot and in the way.  I also find the cockpit bins are too far forward to stow and easily reach winch handles from the helm area when tacking short-handed.  I started looking at various options for pre-made sheet bags and various winch handle holders, but did not find anything that fit the bill.  I have a canvas sewing machine so I also looked at making the bags mysef, including a kit from Sailrite.  However, I quickly figured out I could just buy the materials and save some money versus the kit.  Plus I could custom fit the bags to the “T” ends and include a pocket for the winch handles to

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Adding a Second Refrigerator

By Jeff Church, C387 #145, IdleWild

Mainsheet, February 2010

As we provisioned IdleWild, our 2008 C387, for our first summer cruise, it was apparent that we would miss the ample refrigerator capacity that we had on our previous boat, a Catalina 320. I didn’t see any alternative but to put a large cooler in the aft cabin, at the foot of the berth. That cooler turned into a real nuisance. It tended to slide around underway, it was a trip hazard, and it had to be drained and restocked with ice every other day. On that 6-week trip we used the locker next to the galley sink for dry storage, but I started thinking about converting it into a second refrigerator. It was an attractive idea; the locker and lid are already insulated, but it would take considerable effort and expense to install a second compressor. Then, this spring, I

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Pedestal Guard Replacement

Submitted by Bill Ahillen, Kathy II, C380 #5

I replaced the 1” pedestal guard with a Navpod 1.25 inch. It included the feet while the Edson feet are extra cost I believe. I got the AG126 which is about a 13 inch offset. I think I could have used the AG125 which is about 9 inch offset and reduced the footprint over the table. I had a C90W on the lower angled section and the instrument pod on the upper section of the pedestal guard. I also replaced the plate below the compass with the one from navpod which is stainless. At first I tried to drill the aluminum top plate but did not get a clean hole. Also by using the Navpod stainless steel top plate I will not get any galvanic action. It is isolated at the compass with gaskets. (Navpod TP125 top plate and was about $85

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Relocating the C387 Engine Raw Water Strainer and Primary Fuel Filter.

By Paul Deurenberg

The engine water strainer was originally located under the berth where it was extremely difficult to reach, which can be dangerous in an emergency. The same was true for the primary fuel filter. The water strainer was replaced (and exchanged against an all plastic Vetus model (no rust) into the engine compartment. It sits now just above the waterline and can be easily cleaned without closing the sea cock. The fuel filter was brought outside the berth and a cover was made to protect it from being accidentally hit. The cover also makes a nice stool in front of the mirror. The stool is not too deep, thus still enabling a unobstructed passage between mirror and berth. Under the stool is a place for spare fuel filters and a prime pump in case the filter has to be primed.

Editor’s notes:  The Racor relocation shown is based

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C380 Helmseat Alternative

By Bob Bierly

Mainsheet, November 2009

Many of us have struggled with what to do with the stock C380 helm seat insert.  It is too low to sit on while steering the boat, the rubber hasps do not hold the insert securely enough (just step on the rear lip to see what I mean), and it is cumbersome to handle when you want to access the stern step.  Several skippers have considered the “Helmseat” advertised in Mainsheet.  Bob Bierly, our Association Secretary/Treasurer and who skippers C’mon Wind, shares his solution:

Attached are a couple photos of my helm chair.  Photo 1 – “The Chair” shows my complete seat assembly in place.   Photo 2 – “Chairbase” shows the wooden box (or bridge) I built to replace the factory provided fiberglass seat insert behind the helm, to which is mounted a simple fishing seat. The bridge also allows fore and aft

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Improving Dockside Utilities

Mainsheet, August 2009 

These are a couple ideas from Bob Bierly who captains CMON WIND, C380 #255 out of Reedville, VA.

Forward Shore Power Inlet

All C380’s came with a 120 volt shore power inlet, usually mounted on the transom on the starboard side. This is not a convenient place to run dock power to when traveling, particularly if you prefer to dock bow first into a slip. To simplify this, I installed a 30 amp shore power inlet in the anchor locker facing forward in the vertical fiberglass face under the windlass controls. Photo #1 shows the location.

Running the #10 by 3-wire 120v cable back to the electrical panel was simple because that area behind the wooden panel at the forward end of the vee berth is directly open to the molded chase along both sides of the boat. Just run the new cable along the starboard

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