Category Archives: Repair/Replace/Maintain

2004, Customizations, Mainsheet, Rig, Sailing

Basic “Go-Fasts” For The C380

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Basic “Go-Fasts” For The C380
Steve Dublin
5/1/2004
Hull #: 84

We’ve found our C-380, “Caretta” (hull # 84), to be a very able club racer, particularly in offshore events. When her skipper and crew are reasonably attentive, she can sail to her 120 PHRF rating.

The stock Catalina 380 comes well fitted out with sail handling gear. However, there are some basic “go fasts” (racing equipment), which can be easily added, to help the boat sail her to her full potential. I’ve described a few of these “go fasts” below along with some installation tips learned the hard way:

Adjustable Backstay 

The C-380 does not have a “bendy” rig. However, a pincer block assembly (Photo 3), connected to a 4 to 1 block & tackle, will allow you to tighten the forestay and point a little higher in moderate sea conditions. You don’t have to drill any holes for

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2004, Customizations, Engine, Mainsheet, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Engine Preventive Maintenance

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Engine Preventive Maintenance
George LaForge
5/1/2004
Hull #: 147

Recently, on the SailNet C380 discussion list, there was mention of chaffing of engine hoses. You’ll appreciate the minimal expense and time involved in adding chaffing protection to your engine’s cooling and fuel hoses. If you need to purchase a replacement hose from Westerbeke or Yanmar, be prepared for sticker shock.

To protect the hoses, buy a few feet of one-inch diameter clear hose and a package of eight-inch plastic wire ties from Home Depot or Lowes. You’ll be surprised by the amount of hose needed. Inspect every hose for potential contact with other objects. Where one does touch [or might with vibration], cut a piece of the clear tubing long enough to protect the engine hose, split the tubing length-wise, and secure the tubing to the hose with a couple of wire ties. Trim the ties using wire cutters.

On

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2004, Customizations, Engine, Mainsheet, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Smart Fuel Gauge

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Smart Fuel Gauge
Earle Ellefsen
5/1/2004
Hull #: 271

The following is from Earl Effelsen –Warren I have always kept a fuel log for our 2000 C380 (#271), Valkyrie, and know that fuel consumption can range from 0.6 to 1.0 gph (average 0.85 gph) depending on conditions. I am also well aware that the stock fuel gauge is not linear and that, although my tank is rated at 34 gals, when the gauge reads 1/4, there are only about four gals remaining. So, I was particularly annoyed when I recently ran out of fuel despite my calculations indicating that I should still have another hours worth of fuel.

At about this time, I saw an ad for the Cruz Pro FU30 Smart Fuel Gauge and ordered one from the e-Marine, Inc. web site for $169. This gauge learns the shape of the tank and, via its digital readout, can accurately

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2003, Customizations, Electronics, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Nav Station Mods

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Nav Station Mods
Earl Poe
2/1/2003
Hull #: 140

Here is one captain’s solution for space for electronics–we all seem to want more and more toys. But it’s nice to know what’s going on in and around our boat!

With the proliferation of gadgets for “Angel’s Wings,” I needed to re-design the nav station. The logical choice was to use the shelf above the breaker panel. It was easy to duplicate the wood frame of the door and I used a 1/4-inch thick white melamine panel (available from cabinet shops) for the actual panel. 1 x 1-inch stops around the opening, a piano hinge, and a cabinet lock completed the job. The only thing requiring time was fitting the door since the two existing vertical panels are not square (is anything on a boat?). I now have my VHF, stereo, recording barometer, Autohelm repeater, GPS, Radar/chartplotter, tank monitor & Heart

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2003, Anchor and Windlass, Customizations, Repair/Replace/Maintain

More on 2nd Bow Rollers

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More on 2nd Bow Rollers
Bob Bierly
2/1/2003
Hull #: 255

That Second Anchor Roller That You Always Wanted-

I was the owner who tried to get Catalina and Garhauer to develop and manufacture a heavy-duty double bow roller in the winter of 2000. Simply put, Catalina decided- for undisclosed reasons- not to provide Garhauer a sketch of such a roller incorporating the geometry of the forward part of the C380 that would insure the proper fit and function. Instead, in September 2001, Frank Butler recommended that I add a second roller, similar to the original, on the starboard side of the fore stay. Since we were preparing for a seven-month trip down the eastern coast of the US, I had already done so when the recommendation was received.

I bought a stock 24-inch long roller from Garhauer (AR-30), cut off about 6 inches with a hacksaw and ground the

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2003, Electronics, Repair/Replace/Maintain

Ram Mic P/T Problems

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Ram Mic P/T Problems 
Warren Elliott
11/1/2003
Hull #: 44

RAM Mic P/T Problem Although not a Catalina [380 or other] issue, I thought it appropriate to bring this to your attention, because it seems so widespread in our area. Agrowing number of sailors have a Standard Horizon VHF radio with an”extension” RAM mic located in the cockpit. In our local all Catalina fleet,I’d guess that half of the boats have the RAM mic; about 3/4 of those weregularly cruise with have one. This is a great mic, offering almost full remote capability, including channel, volume, power level, squelch, etc. selection. No longer do you haveto rely on a hand-held VHF or run down to the cabin to change channels ifyou had a simple extension version [as I did]. However, it does have one fault, in my opinion, which reveals itself in three ways:

when you think you’re transmitting, you’re

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2003, Engine, Repair/Replace/Maintain, Uncategorized

Westerbeke 42 B Engine Wiring Diagram

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Title:Westerbeke 42 B Engine Wiring Diagram
Author:Warren Elliott
Date: 11/1/2003
Hull #: 44

Here is the wiring diagram for the WesterBeke 42B. This engine was also used on the Catalina 400.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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

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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

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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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