Posted: January 17 2008 at 18:08 | IP Logged

HELLO BOATMAN,BANJOMAN,DIVERYATES,NAUTICAT AND OTHER CAT OWNERS.I READ WITH INTEREST YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING THE DRAIN HOLE ON BULKHEAD UNDER THE STEPS. I FOUND THE ONE ON MINE AND ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS A THRU DRAIN AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE BULKHEAD NEXT TO THE HULL. ANYONE KNOW IF ITS SUPPOSE TO BE THERE OR MAYBE ADDED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER? I AM STILL PONDERING TAKING OUT THE SIDE WINDOWS TO RE CALK THEM. THE WINDOWS SEEM TO BE A SOLID PIECE WITH THE SCREWS HOLDING IT IN PLACE BEHIND THE HEAVY BLACK GASKET, LOOKS LIKE A SINGLE PIECE GASKET, THAT GOES AROUND THE THE ENTIRE WINDOW.MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT I WILL DAMAGE OR DESTROY THE GASKET.IT SEEMS THAT THIS GASKET IS USED ON THE 294 MODELS ONLY. IS THAT CORRECT AND IS A NEW REPLACEMENT GASKET AVAILABLE AND WHERE.

BOATMAN . ON A PREVIOUS POST YOU COMENTED ABOUT THE WATER IN MY AREA. I LIVE IN ORIENTAL NC ON THE NEUSE RIVER AND THE PAMLICO SOUND SO I ALSO HAVE LOTS ON INLAND WATER TO PLAY ON. MY EXIT TO OFF SHORE WATER WOULD BE AT OCAROKE NC OR BEAUFORD NC. THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY RUNS DOWN  THE NEUSE RIVER,WHICH I AM TOLD IS THE WIDEST RIVER IN THE USA. ORIENTAL  IS CALLED THE "SAILING CAPITAL OF N.C." I WAS A LIVEABOARD SAILER FOR 10 YEARS BEFORE GETTING THE 294 CAT. WE TRAVELED FORM CAPE MAY TO TRINIDAD AND HAD A BALL DOING SO, BUT NOW I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING WITH THE "CAT" FOR AWHILE.

I ENJOY THE FORAM A LOT KEEP UP THE GOOD INFO.

Posted: February 19 2008 at 13:58 | IP Logged

Hi redbarontu,

I went to the boat this weekend and checked out the bilge area under the steps near the bulkhead drain plug. On the 1985 280, the bulkhead is solid all the way to the hull and the only opening that low is the drain plug hole.  Well above that there are other holes where wiring and plumbing passes through but if the boat were to take on water either fore or aft of the bulkhead it would hold back about 14-16 inches of water before spilling over the top.  Guess if something catastrophic happened (God forbid) I may have just enough time to don the lifejackets and call for help. 

Regarding the window gaskets, check out Chris Parts website, if it is not listed, maybe they can get it:   http://www.chrisparts.com/molding.htm

Tom