Category Archives: 2011

2011, Mainsheet

Note from the Editor — December 2011

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Note from the Editor:

Unfortunately this will be my last Mainsheet article. After much soul searching, we have decided to sell our C380, Blue Heron. We have enjoyed our nearly eight years with her and I still remember how impressed we were with the size, comfort, sailing qualities – you name it – versus our old C34. However, she is a lot of boat for the limited amount day sailing we have ended up doing of late. You are supposed to have lots of free time in retirement, but it seems like there is always something else going on that makes it hard to block out the time for sailing. My calendar is much fuller than when I was working – go figure! She passed survey today so it looks like the deal we have to sell will go through. So, what is next? Hard to say. Probably something much smaller. However, I’ll wait a while to make a decision.

I’ve enjoyed my short tenure as the Technical Editor. We have a lot of high caliber technical minds in the Association and I am sure my replacement will serve the Membership well.

In this issue we have a couple of interesting articles for C380’s. First is an article by skipper Tim Porter on replacing the C380 engine control pod with the newer Seaward pod that angles the instruments upward for better viewing while underway. No more crawling on the cockpit floor to see the gauges! The second, related article by skipper Bill Ahillen is on replacing the standard 1-inch diameter cockpit pedestal guard with a 1-1/4 inch diameter guard to allow more room for electronic cables in the tubes. Something needed in today’s digital age with chart plotters, radar, AIS, etc. This article was actually a Yahoo post that I have edited for inclusion in Mainsheet. And finally, I will continue my regular listing of posts in the Yahoo list for the last quarter.

Again, I have enjoyed my tenure as your Technical Editor and I wish all of you “Fair Winds and Following Seas”.

— Steve

YAHOO TOPICS

September 2011

Lewmar Portlight Seals
Raymarine ST50 Speed Transducer Cable Splicing
Mast Rake Settings
LED’s for Cabin Lighting
Prop Shaft Anti-fouling Paint
C380 Pricing
Westerbeke 42B Running Hot
Folding vs. Feathering Props (also see Oct)
Close-hauled Mainsail Twist
Cunningham Setup
Mounting Plate for Cabin-top Clutches
Cabin Window Shades
PSS Shaft Seal Issues
Adding a Third Dutchman Line
New Sink and Stovetop Cleaner

October 2011

Galley Sole Alternatives
Holding Tank and Vent Issues
Rigging Setup
Lewmar Winch Maintenance
Gybe Preventer (Boom Brake)
Replacing Crazed Hatches and Ports
Yanmar Exhaust Elbow Corrosion
Steering Wheel Nut
Bilge Issues
Asymmetrical Spinnaker Size
Cockpit Table Support Replacement

2011, Customizations, Mainsheet

Nav Pod Replacement – EP162

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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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2011, Mainsheet, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Replacing Furler Bearings

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By Bob Bierly

 

BACKGROUND: Recently on the Catalina Yahoo web site, there was some discussion about the 3100 Schaeffer genoa furler that many of us have as factory equipment.  My furler on C’mon Wind (Hull #255 vintage 2000) had been getting increasingly harder to turn over the last three years.  When new, it was wonderful never requiring more than a modest effort to unfurl or furl the 155% genoa. I never used a winch.  But age had its way with the furler and after several attempts at freeing up the lower bearing assembly, I recently gave up. [Editor’s Note – Remember never to lubricate the Torlon bearings with lubricating sprays, etc.  Just flush with fresh water – Steve]   I called Schaeffer Marine inNew BedfordMA (508-995-9511) and talked with Dave Anderson.  He told me that Schaeffer had re-engineered the lower bearing unit into a single piece. So for $110,

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2011, Engine, Mainsheet, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Westerbeke 42B Raw Water Pump Seal Failure

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By Steve Riddle, Blue Heron C380 #194 (1999)

I have been having ongoing problems with the raw water pump leaking on my Westerbeke 42B. The engine has about 450 total hours, which is pretty low considering the age of the boat.  The raw water pump started leaking two years ago during the 2008 season.  On the Westerbeke, the pump housing has a set of weep holes which will theoretically drain any water that gets past the internal shaft water seal.  This serves two purposes.  First is to give you a visual indication of a leak, although the pump is unfortunately located directly over the forward port engine mount which will start to rust from the salt water dripping out of the pump.  Second, the weep holes should keep salt water out of the pump bearings, which are protected by an oil seal on the other side of the weep holes.

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