Category Archives: 2003

2003, Customizations

Eliminating Head Odors

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Title:          Head Oders
Author:    Warren Elliott
Date:         11/1/2003
Hull #: 44

Eliminating Head Odors

Several C380 owners, either those on Sailnet, friends, or some that I met at the recent northeast Catalina rendezvous expressed unhappiness with this classic problem. And it occurs both in and around the head compartment itself and outside the boat via the vent line. Here’s what’s kept us “sweet-smelling” for most of the 7 years we’ve owned and sailed “My Bride II”.

First, I installed an in-line treatment called “Earth Safe” [West Marine #568592, $37]. This consists of a plastic container that is plumbed into the toilet’s water intake. The container has a compartment into which a large tablet is placed; this dispenses a blue-colored liquid that both deodorizes and lubricates the pump. I can report that this system woks well in fresh water or saltwater; it worked for us right away [may need a few

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2003, Engine, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Transmisssion Shift Lever

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Title:         Transmisssion Shift Lever
Author:   Warren Elliott
Date:         11/1/2003
Hull #: 44

 

A few captains have reported failure of their shift lever; apparently none occurred at a critical time, so no damage ensued except perhaps to a few egos. It seems that the lever either became very loose or simply fell off, rendering shifting impossible. Quick crew action, including inventing a new handle in the form of vise-grip pliers, may have saved the day.

On checking my helm station, and receiving email comments from the manufacturer, Edson, I’m beginning to understand how these situations came about.

Here’s two Edson inputs. The first message refers to the particular problem and possible improvement. The second message address my questions: causes for the set screw becoming loose and a related issue: closeness of forward-shifted lever to the helm guard.

From: Edson Customer Service Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 1:54 PM To: Warren

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2003, Repair/Replace/Maintain, Rudder

Installation of Rudder Roller Bearings

4 Comments

Title:      Installation of Rudder Roller Bearings
Author: Warren Elliott, Rick Ranno
Date:      8/12/2003
Hull #: 297

The previous Mainsheet issue included some relatively simple maintenance/repairs for your rudder system; this was in response to a number of captains noting various “”clunking”” or similar sounds that was traced to lateral [or vertical] movement of the rudder coinciding with rolling and/or pitching of the boat. I had the same problem, which was solved by tightening the packing gland, as recommended by Catalina’s Chief Engineer Gerry Douglas.

For those of you who are starting to notice some similar sounds, I suggest checking the top of your rudder post at the time you notice those sounds, easily accessed by unscrewing your emergency tiller deck plate.

On the other hand, Rick Ranno, captain of “”Sea Flat””, C380 #297 decided to go “”all the way”” and install quality roller bearings, top and bottom. One note of

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2003, Customizations, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Water in Forward Compartment

3 Comments

Title:           Water in Forward Compartment
Author:     Warren Elliott
Date:          8/12/2003
Hull #: 44

Quite a few of our Sailnet group, over the last year or two, have reported finding water in the forward compartment, the one accessible through the small hatch under the V-berth. This occurred on my boat also when I found about a gallon there after My Bride II was two or three years old. I also found the very small volume at the bow was full with perhaps another gallon. My trusty wet/dry vacuum cleaned out the water easily. I did a routine check of fittings, and hit the area with fresh water, but nothing obvious turned up. In the next three years, another 1/2 -1 gallon accumulated, so it’s obviously not much of a leak. Recently, I used some “Captain Tolley’s Creeping Crack Cure” around the bow roller and the forward stay chain plate. We’ll see

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2003, Electronics, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Reverse Polarity Light/ Dock Power

3 Comments

Title:          Reverse Polarity Light/ Dock Power
Author:    Warren Elliott
Date:         8/12/2003
Hull #: 44

A couple months ago, a possible problem with the reverse polarity light came up on our Sailnet email discussion group. It seems that a few captains had noticed a dim glow by that light, rather than the normal full-off condition or a true reverse-polarity situation showing a bright red light. The dim condition will most likely occur with the main circuit breaker on while the reverse polarity situation had better be discovered with the breaker off [and then immediately corrected–disconnect power cord at dock & notify marina]. Never connect to any dock power unless the main breaker [at nav station] is off; after connection and with power on at the dock and aft lazarette breaker on, then make sure that light is not glowing before turning the main breaker on.

[emember_protected]
The reverse-polarity light is connected

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2003, Customizations, Engine, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Flexible Coupling for Drivetrain

2 Comments

Title:        Flexible Coupling for Drivetrain
Author:  Gordon R Croudace
Date:       8/12/2003
Hull #: 18

I am the owner of a Catalina 380C [“”Cahuilla””, Hull no.18], based in Sydney, Australia. I recently fitted a flexible coupling between the transmission and the propeller shaft. As it has made such a dramatic difference in terms of virtually eliminating vibration, reducing noise transmission through the hull and the impact of gear engagement, it has prompted me to recommend this relatively inexpensive and easy-to-fit mod to all owners. In fact, it surprises me that the flexible coupling is not fitted as standard equipment to all Catalina yachts.

The flexible coupling purchased is a product of R&D Drivetrain Solutions in Lynnwood, WA. USA. [ www.flexible-coupling.com]. It is available through PYI Inc. [ www.pyiinc.com. ] The model number of the flexible coupling fitted is 910-001. It is designed to be bolted between the transmission’s half coupling and

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2003, Customizations, Water

Is the Bilge Pump Adequate?

2 Comments

Title:Is The Bilge Pump Adequate
Author:Scott Brear
Date: 5/24/2003
Hull #: 31

Is the Bilge Pump Adequate?

Scott Brear posted the following comments about bilge pumps on the C380-list@sailnet.net list. His advice is well worth considering.

Stock manual and electrical bilge pumps in production boats are not designed for catastrophic leaks. They can only manage clearances of the bilge due to “”normal”” leaks through the speed impeller stowage, stern gland, rain , some minor hose leaks, etc. because they do not have even the rated capacity to do much more. In practice this is OK, because 95% of the time that is only where the water comes from.
But think about it some more. If you did have a 1.5 inch hole in your hull, what do you have on board that can pump that volume of ingress out? Such a hole could be your engine sea water hose, stern

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2003, Boom, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Fix For Boom / Bimini Interference

2 Comments

Title:        Fix For Boom / Bimini Interference
Author:  Warren Elliott
Date:        5/14/2003
Hull #: 44

You may recall that the interference between the boom and doger was discussed in last year’s February Mainsheet. Briefly, at about hull # 100, manufacturer of the spars was changed from ZSpar to US Spars. The new masts have their boom several inches lower, resulting in the potential for the boom to contact the bimini, and perhaps dodger, when sailing close hauled. This problem apparently does not occur for in-mast furlers, probably because those mainsails are cut several inches shorter in the leech in order for them to furl properly.

[emember_protected]
At the Atlantic City Boat Show, I spoke with Gerry Douglas, Chief Engineer at Catalina, who indicated that they have come up with a fix: ship Catalina [Calif. factory] your mainsail, they will cut out a wedge-shaped piece to reduce the leech length, and

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