Posted: March 05 2012 at 18:11 | IP Logged

Ian, congrats!

Capt MArk, when you say full service marina, do they offer dry stack or just slips?

H3, happy belated bday.  My tank is 20 gal and ahead of my fuel tank.  Ordered from tank depot.com

JiminFla, I posted up my micro shelf on the CC site.

Brad

Posted: March 05 2012 at 23:43 | IP Logged

Jim HH, sorry to hear about Frank. 19 years, that was a lucky dog to have a friend like you. Our best to you and Sunshine, Capt H. and Bonnie.

P.S.  we celebrated our 27 year anniversary march 2nd. WHEW!

Posted: March 06 2012 at 01:02 | IP Logged

Jim:   Sad and with sorrow, I offer my understanding and concern, your friend has Passed Away.  I understand your very real grief.

 May you have comfort from knowing you gave your all.   Time will ease your sorrow, and great pain.   Knowingly, that never far from memory, will be your Friend.  

My recent Loss, allows me to understand your sorrow.  My little poodle, Baby, is awaiting Frank.  May our two Friends play and run, across the Rainbow Bridge, together, Jim. 

My prayers are for you, Jim.  Bless you for caring, and doing, so much for your Friend.     

Dan

Posted: March 06 2012 at 03:02 | IP Logged

Ian,

Are the broads  heavily populated?  Where I live the lake homes are owned by motly upper class who live in larger cities and have lake homes as a 2nd home .  Highly sough after real estate.  In my county we have over 2000 lakes.  I boat on Lake Superior.  Awesome lake that can get quite trecherous.  It's not uncommon to have 4-6' seas and usually a few times a year we get a hurricane that will blow a 30 sea. How did you come upon your 281? What year is she?  Whatt engines and drives do you have? Do you need to get parts from th US?  How much did you have to pay for her?  What are your marinas like ?  How much is fuel there?  When you cruise the Broads are there pubs in the channels with piers you stop at and have a pint?

Jim,

I used teak plywood to update the head galley area.  I also think it turned out great.  It really glows in the sun.Well worth the time and effort and expense.

Posted: March 06 2012 at 17:30 | IP Logged

Mark,

The broads are very small compaired to what you are used to, here is a you tube link to give you a quick look at the area.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RvK6ZMwioM

The majority of boats are holiday hire craft as the area is quite safe to learn boating.

The 281 was for sale at a Brokers on the Broads and we paid £17500 for her. We think she is a 1984 build but how it came to the UK is not known. The engines are twin marinised Ford Transit Diesel van engines, petrol/gas is hard to get over here on the rivers. Diesel is the prefered fuel and this is at the moment £1.35 per litre (about 9 dollars for a gallon), that's far more than you pay and our government is putting the tax up again on fuel this summer

On a positive side there are plenty of riverside pubs with moorings, you need a few drinks to get over filling the boat up....

Ian

Posted: March 07 2012 at 00:28 | IP Logged

Jim, the bulkhead and door on my head were vinyl covered.  I removed them and replaced with teak plywood.  I haven't done the bulkhead forward of the door as of yet. 

Ian, when you get a chance I's like to see the engines and drives.  Shoot some photos and post.  I'm also interested in performance on that boat.  What does she cruise at and what's the fuel consumption? I had heard of 4 cyl diesels were an option, but I thought they were Cumins.  See if you can get some specs on those diesels.

Posted: March 07 2012 at 09:40 | IP Logged

excellent video Ian  thank you for sharing.  I love that waterway and would love to see it in person someday!

Posted: March 08 2012 at 12:12 | IP Logged

Capt H CONGRATES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

Hang in there Berg it does get better best of luck to you

Posted: March 08 2012 at 13:08 | IP Logged

Hey guys, I know I've been gone more than I've been here but my life has taken yet another turn. Over the past few months my relationship and living situation has taken a turn for the worse. Between overtime at work being scarce and the separation I have also moved out and sadly, the boat along with any other projects have been put on the back burner. I am currently looking for a place to store it but I need every dollar I have so it makes things difficult. My saving grace is the fact that it is on a trailer so I can move it. The bad news is the only place I can keep it at the moment has such a steep hill for the driveway that I cannot get the boat to where it needs to go without bottoming out on the pavement. I'm seriously debating pulling the rudder and prop to see if it gets me the clearance I need. Its looking like the boat may have to go  

sorry to hear about that Berg...I wish I had the space for you.

I had to sell my Cat due to yearly upkeep costs becoming unaffordable but if I had space to store her long term rent free, I would not have had to sell and would have had the opportunity to do some of the big, extended length time projects but wasnt meant to be.  Hang in there...if you sell I am sure you will come across another in the future, thankfully CC Catalinas (25' and 28/29') are out there in great numbers...one of the biggest selling boat models of all time.

Posted: March 08 2012 at 18:01 | IP Logged

JIM:   $1,000 plus tax, is a HIGH price.  I realize breaking-down the seats, making new wood, and re-covering is all labor, and the vinyl cost depends on quality on material.  But I believe his price is TWICE the price it should be.

The part-time job I have here in Holiday, Florida is at a Marine canvas shop.  He does seats and binini's, Esinglass and all the other canvas work. 

He is at home now sleeping.  His Mate, will have him call me as to what should be a proper price.  I expect a call from him tonight.  I'll Post his thoughts later tonight.

He does not expect to do the work, due to shipping back and forth.  Also, your concern of being without your seats for a period of time. 

Dan    (Fly Bridge)

Posted: March 08 2012 at 18:13 | IP Logged

Captain Berg:   I have an idea.  Can you put jack stands on either side, to RAISE your boat OFF the Bunks?   Then place CRIBBING LUMBER onto the BUNKS?    Even place 4x4's ANGLED ACROSS the trailer?  The HEIGHT you would need,  would be by ADDING more lumber.    The point being, to ELEVATE  BOAT above current height that your boat SITS, on the trailer. 

HOWEVER, make SURE you LASH-DOWN your boat, AFTER RAISING, and BEFORE MOVING.  I figured you would do this anyway, but just to be safe, I thought it BEST to say so, as a reminder!

Dan   (Fly Bridge)

Posted: March 09 2012 at 08:59 | IP Logged

Jim, it's been a 2 years since I boght marine plywood, however when I did purchase a sheel of 3/4" marine grade plywood sanded on one side it was less than $75.  Also, at certain chain stores you can purchase half sheets as well. 

Posted: March 09 2012 at 12:31 | IP Logged

Hey JimFL I just got my seats done by a local guy I took them off dropped them off. I got the marine plywood from Home Depot they cut the sizes for me as well. The whole job was $311.17 and they look great ! Good luck.

FlyDan Thank you very much for the kind words

Posted: March 09 2012 at 14:33 | IP Logged

that there sounds like a price you'd pay up here on Long Island!

I got a couple prices to recover the bunk/sofa and v-berth in the $1200 range, new foam and a premium fabric...no way!  was gonna do it myself but never got to it.

Posted: March 09 2012 at 18:10 | IP Logged

Jim:  Boss did not return my call last night, but seen him today.  He said $250 to $300 to redo your seats, but not sure if Navigator seat holds 1 or 2 people.   Is your seats pleated?

   I was told in years past, the only difference between INTERIOR plywood and EXTERIOR plywood, is the GLUE.  And EXTERIOR plywood has SAME GLUE as MARINE plywood.   At Home Depot, 3/4 inch 4x8 sheet of Birch, costs $43.97.

You could use plywood, but if STARBOARD is within your budget, you would never worry about the wood rotting.    I found a price for Starboard  (for MARINE use) online: $223 for a sheet of 1/2 inch thickness and 4x8.     If you use plywood, I would coat ALL EDGES and both SIDES, with resin/epoxy.  This would seal the wood.

Hope this helps.  Dan   (Fly Bridge).

Posted: March 10 2012 at 10:21 | IP Logged

Brad,

Washburn marina has indoor and heated storage.  They don't rack store boats here.  Shoot me a call sometime.  715-499-3431

Posted: March 10 2012 at 10:31 | IP Logged

1. Marine Plywood

   • The woods most commonly used for marine grade are western larch and Douglas fir because they are strong and have fewer voids or knots, where moisture can accumulate.

   Treated Plywood

   • Treated plywood is made of softer wood than its marine counterpart to allow better absorption of the chemicals used to protect it from mold and fungi.

     The chemicals may leach over time into the surrounding area. This can be lessened by application of a sealer of varnish or paint.

     Because voids and gaps are tolerated in treated plywood, it can delaminate or warp when exposed to the weather.

   The Glues

   • Interior-grade plywoods are bonded with urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. The curing is done with a cold method. The addition of melamine to the urea resin prolongs the life of the contact.

     Marine-grade plywood is bonded with long-lasting, waterproof phenol-formaldehyde glues. The curing is done under high heat and pressure.

Posted: March 11 2012 at 00:17 | IP Logged

Captains:  Thought I would post this.  PERHAPS, there is someone, that has the money, and time, if interested in this.... FREE......Fixer-Upper  located in Florida.  She is a,  1966 Chris Craft Commander.

    http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/2885443052.html   

Dan    (Fly Bridge).

Posted: March 11 2012 at 20:07 | IP Logged

hello caps Hope you all had a great weekeend. Today's weather was not good down here very windy cloudy and rain. But we still took the boat out for a birthday lunch cruise . Today is my wifes birthday so she had a few friends that wanted to go out for lunch. Not a far ride.  This just makes me love the Chris Craft more . She went though the chop like a hot knife though  butter. We still had fun. Made an appointment for a haul out on 3-26-12 . Has any one used prop speed and does it work ???? I am just going to have the bottom done and a sea cock installed for the new toilet . And of course all new zincs. Hope you all have a great week.

Tom I have had anther crazy week, when is the best time to call you am or pm I look forward to it . Thanks again

Posted: March 11 2012 at 23:11 | IP Logged

Hello, All. Capt. Mark, good info on the plywood glue!

JimHH, I have used PropSpeed for several years and YES it works when properly applied. It is expensive$$$$$$$. I have only used it on my props. Lasts about 2 years. It can be applied to shafts, rudders and struts, but you have to strip all paint from them. Nite, Y'all, H!

Posted: March 12 2012 at 16:01 | IP Logged

Berg, sorry to hear of the turn of events.  Hope things turn the other way for you real soon.

Flyb, the commander hull looks like a good paltform for someone wanting to start from scratch and price is right.

Capt Mark, thanks for info on Washburn.   I had said earlier we were not going to splash tihs year due to ongonig health issues with my wife.  reconsidering that and may splash after all.  Possibly Sturgeon Bay.  Life's too short...... QUESTION - my boat is not zinced.  Only boat I have ever owned that was not zinced.  I think this is the way it came from the factory.  If I go in a slip for the season what would you suggest bare minimum?  Thinking prop shaft, rudder, possibly one on transom.  Do they all need to be grounded togehter?

Jiminfla, I put up my finished microwave pics on the CC site.

Brad

Posted: March 12 2012 at 23:23 | IP Logged

Hello, All. Brad, I would suggest installing zincs on the shaft, rudder and trim tabs, if you have them. You are in fresh water and they should last a long time. Down here in S.E Florida, I change zincs much more often, due to the salt water. Shaft zincs last about 8 months, rudder zincs about 6 months. I use R-4 zincs on the rudders. 1 1/4" zincs on the shafts. Most importantly, there must be NO paint where there is zinc to metal contact. It would be nice if the whole system were bonded (grounded) but in fresh water not really necessary. Just my opinion.

 Capt. Mark, just got my new C.G. Capt. License today, new passport style, 5th issue, upgraded to 100 ton, near coastal. YEAH BUDDY!! Nite, Y'all, Capt. Steve.

Posted: March 14 2012 at 19:37 | IP Logged

CAPTAINS:  What is the best method to insert a Sea Water pump IMPELLER, into the PUMP HOUSING?

Also, should the Rubber Impeller, be slightly "Lubricated"  so that Impeller is not damaged, due to a "Dry Start"? 

Dan   (Fly Bridge)

Posted: March 14 2012 at 23:34 | IP Logged

Hello, All. Capt. Mark, I must say that this was the fastest turn-around for my ticket. About 3 weeks, no kidding. I got updates via e-mail at each stage of the process, I.E.- documents received, documents forwarded to the National Maritime Center, Medical evaluation accepted and so on. This is my 5th issue and it always took 3 months, more if the doctor forgot to dot an I or cross a T! I'm impressed. For once the Government did something right. In all, it still cost $140 for the TWIC Card, $150 for the medical exam, $60 for the Drug Test Consortium and $140 for the License Evaluation, Renual and Issue Fee. Not to mention the time needed to get it all done. I can remember when it was free.

FlyB, a little lube of almost any type will suffice. Lithium grease always worked well for me.

JimHH hope all is well with you and your's. Saw a s pix of my step-daughters ultra sound last week. We're excited as you must be.

Wind been blowin', need to bend a rod soon, got a bunch of guy's from the Gulf coast comming to go fishin' on saturday if the wind lay's down a bit. Nite, Y'all, H.

Posted: March 15 2012 at 00:22 | IP Logged

CAPTAINS:

Impeller, is in!!  Thanks Capt'n Heavy!!

I checked engine rotation, and inserted Impeller so it turns in correct direction.  Here is photo of NEW Impeller inserted in the Sea Water Pump.  Photo of "Before" is in my last Post.

Posted: March 15 2012 at 13:24 | IP Logged

Fly B, I did mine last year and was first impeller like that had done.  Mechanic at the yard had me put dish soap as lube and then twist in.  He said did not matter what way put in as the vanes will corect themselves when startup.  The soap also let you know everything was working as should see bubbles out exhaust.  I follwed his tips and all worked out well.

Capt H, thanks for the zinc commnets.  If we end up in slip I will most liklely go magnesium as always been told fresh water is magnesium and salt is zincs.  Boats tend to come wiht zinc and I have never seen one replaced in fresh as seems to last forever.  Think the factory assumes will put it in salt. If I bond them how would you suggest tying in the rudder and shaft?  Attcahing / locating the wires, etc.?

Brad