Posted: December 15 2011 at 23:30 | IP Logged

Hey, Gang. Been busy with work, out of town for a day, fixin stuff on boat and home. Jimhh we got 8-10 inches of rain last weekend. 2 feet of water in the street when I woke up!!. Had to remove water heater from Mystic Diver, have not used it in almost 10 years. Bottom rusted out, it was maybe 15 years old.

Dewey, pix remind me of old Cheech and Chong song "Santa Clause, the dude with hair on his jaws"!!!

Anyway, weather in S.E. Florida has been OK, but WINDY. Boatman, how about on the gulf side??  Been fishin' once in the last 2 months.

Nite, Y'all, Capt. H.

Posted: December 17 2011 at 13:59 | IP Logged

Here is a picture from the boat parade I just got , Tomorrow going to check on her  What a great time THE BEST !!!!!!

Posted: December 18 2011 at 18:43 | IP Logged

Hello all ,  well went down to the boat today to check my batterys , 2 of the four were bad . they are 2 years old and interstate deep cycle. Not happy ! How long should boat batterys last ? I am going to swap them out tomorrow. I wish I had the $$$ for anther Odessy Batterys but right now I am  just going to  swap them for new ones . Also one of the alts seem a little week so I will change that as well. So as I see it 1/2  of the whole 12 volt system will be replaced . Again I would like to hear what you guys are getting out of your batterys ??????????????

Thanks again

Posted: December 22 2011 at 10:07 | IP Logged

Starting some 10 day R&R tommorw with Christmas, football [GO PACK], ice fishing, snow skling.  Also a trip to the boat to start couple winter projects. 

Merry Christmas all and a Blessed 2012.

Brad

Posted: December 22 2011 at 10:22 | IP Logged

Brad,

If you stumble up this way give me a call.

Posted: December 22 2011 at 10:34 | IP Logged

nice love the cut outss perfect

Posted: December 24 2011 at 15:19 | IP Logged

 Put the new alt in the other day , Monday I will go put the new Batterys in and I should be all set .

Posted: December 24 2011 at 15:23 | IP Logged

I want to wish all of you and your family a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR ! May God bless each and every one of you, Thank you for all your help though out the year . Be safe and Happy !!!!

from the crew of the

Happy Hour III

Posted: December 24 2011 at 15:24 | IP Logged

AHOY THE FLEET!

Always read the posts with interest. Working up a rebuild piece with photos on the Jabsco raw water pump.

Wishing everybody happyHolidays!

Diver (Roy)

Posted: December 24 2011 at 16:42 | IP Logged

MERRY CHRISTMAS,   CHRIS * CRAFT  Captains!!

I have stopped OTR truck driving, since November.  Rested some, and found a part-time job.  I am driving the owner of Marine "Canvas" shop. 

Long story short, Florida laws are TOUGH, on repeat violations for having "After work stop-offs", on the way home.  Thusly, I have to do the driving, to accomplish the deliveries, and etc, around the shop.  Presently, his lesson, has been learned, due to nearly losing everything.   He said his business was large, at one time.  I hope to help him, regain that.  

The "canvas" business, is custom made, Bimini; Boat covers;  E-glass full enclosures;  Upholstery.  He also does repairs, on all the afore-mentioned.  He custom builds Bimini's; Boat Covers; Full Enclosures, with SUNBRELLA materials.  I think, i'm learning a new Trade!!

The shop and equipment remains in-place, but requires my driving abilities, to assist owner in his business.  He is COMMITTED to regaining, that which he nearly lost. 

Showed him my Chris Craft Catalina.  He LOVES it!!  He has contacts with marine industry, useful to me, in having work done on my boat.  Hopefully, I can be in the water, by, or before this time next year.  Not making much money with him now, but hope pay will substantially increase, in time.  

So, I am ---HOME---and have a local job!!  No more OTR driving for me.  Staying home now!!  Sure is NICE fellows!!!!

Been reading all the Posts, and activities of you Captains!!  Haven't responded, but rest assured, I'm aware what's going-on!!

More later.   Thanks for allowing me, to be friends, with ALL of you fellows here!!  I appreciate it!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS,   and  a    SAFE

CHRIS * CRAFT, boating day!!    

Fly Bridge.      

Posted: December 25 2011 at 23:05 | IP Logged

To ALL  Captains on land or sea (FLOATER,i.e. on cruise)

I want to wish each and everyone a very Merry CHRISTMAS and a happy New Year.I got my Christmas presant a few days early,walking without assist of cane or crutches.Slow and sore but walking at a snail  pace but walking just the same.I;m thankful to all the prayers and best wishes reguarding this and remember what comes around goes around (BEST WISHES AND PRAYERS,TO ALL OF YOU).Went down and visited the Chrissy and as is well .hoping for a break in the weather and a chance to take her out again,been to long.

Hope everyone has a safe and joyeous holiday.

Posted: December 26 2011 at 14:37 | IP Logged

Okay the cozy day after Christmas hope you all had a great day yesterday. I went down to the boat this morning and put the Blue Top Batteries in along with the Odsey I have. The 12 volt system is now perfect. Checked all now its perfect! I took her out for a nice ride boy is she running great. All systems are workingf perfect. I wonder do you gain by adding two batteries together are should I stay with a 3 bank system ????.

Posted: December 26 2011 at 14:40 | IP Logged

I ment 3 bank with 2 batteries per bank

1 - port side/ start

1- Strb side/ start

2- House stereo/ BAT 2

Posted: December 28 2011 at 23:26 | IP Logged

Hey, Gang, just hope everyone had a great Christmas and looking forward to a great new year.

Dewey, nice to hear you're comming along!

I've been busy, so I haven't made too many posts, but JimHH's boat looked great in the Stuart parade!! Weather has been great, but WINDY!! Not great for fishing.  I KNOW, I KNOW!! You guys up north would KILL for this kind of weather. Boatman, JimHH, Jiminfl, my self and all of the rest of us down here are just SPOILED!!! But then again, we have HURRICANES. I'd rather sweep sand than shovel snow!

Had an ongoing problem on Mystic Diver, sometimes hard to start port engine, sometimes not. Drove me crazy. Found a small split in the coil wire, right above the boot comming out of the coil. Wire was arching to a COOLING HOSE!!! All fixed now, engine starts first time every time. Nite, All, Capt. Steve

Posted: December 29 2011 at 13:47 | IP Logged

Here is a Chris Craft 291 with outboards on her. I saw the boat up close and did not have my phone with me to take pictures . See if you can zoom it  and you will see the outboards

Pretty nice Chris Craft ..... Happy New Year Captins

Posted: December 29 2011 at 19:11 | IP Logged

HH III:   Yes, I zoomed-in , there are 2 outboards engines!!  There was a CC on Craigslist a few months ago, that was for sale that a transom set-up for outboards.   However, CC was for sale WITHOUT the Outboard engines.

Fly Bridger.   Dan.

Posted: December 30 2011 at 15:40 | IP Logged

Hi,

I am looking at buying a 1984 Catalina and tomorrow going to check out the boat for a second time. On the first visit I noticed the deck on the Port side of the bow was just a bit soft compaired to the starboard side. The broker suggested this was not a problem and just a difference in the thickness of the fiberglass.

I am in the UK and there are not many of these boats about but we do like the layout and style. 

There will be a survey done if I decide to purchase but wondering if I am wasting my time.

Thanks

Ian

Posted: December 30 2011 at 22:24 | IP Logged

Ahoy Ian,

The bow softness is caused by delamination of the sandwiched decking structure there. In production, Balsa wood is glued to the top-deck and to bottom-ceiling imparting structural strength, as this is a hi-traffic area. The structure is about 2 inches thick.  The glue is no longer binding the layers together, possibly from water ingress at the anchor-line port located on-deck there.

One of Chris Crafts few shortcomings was that they failed to seal this area. You should be able to get your finger in there and feel the balsa wood for moisture.  Or, use a small mirror with flashlight to see what's what. This is a pretty serous issue.  More to the point, expensive to repair. Either to repair professionally or labor intensive if you do it.

Variables such as price, driveline condition, interior appointments and their function, electrical system, window integrity and so forth play a part in this buying decision. The decking is not necessarily a deal killer- but indications are that this is a fixer upper and you need to go in with both eyes open.   

My impression:  look at other Catalinas. The Chris Craft Catalina line were some of the best boats made- both structurely and from a layout point of view.

Recreational Boats cause people's objective sense of things go right out the window.

That said and done right,  boats are an incredible source of joy and satisfaction.

Ahoy Captn Heavy- great troubleshooting story there- hats off to you!!

HHIII,

In my view, sucessful battery maintenance involves a smart battery charger  dedicated for each battery when on shore power. I suggest several 2-3 battery output chargers installed and dedicating one charger circuit to one battery with a minimum 15 amp charging capacity. 

Best all, Diver