Posted: December 31 2011 at 09:57 | IP Logged

Wishing all the captians, mates and families a happy new year as we close out 2011...a year for me which included a bitter-sweet farewell of "My Way", a vessel loved by a captian and his family but also providing much needed financial relief, something I know many of you easily understands.

I did some thinking about what to include here in my 1000th post and there are a couple quotes that come to mind:

Twenty years from now you will be more disppointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain

...I am very grateful for the time we spent on the water and know that we will be floating again soon.

"The ocean has always been a salve to my soul...the best thing for a cut or abrasion was to go swimming in salt water. Later down the road of life, I made the discovery that salt water was also good for the mental abrasions one inevitably acquires on land."
- Jimmy Buffett

...my dad and I were talking yesterday about an incident that happened to me many years ago, when I was about 7 years old.  Dad, my grandpa and I stopped in Pirate's Cove just off Port Jefferson Harbor here on Long Island to drag-net for some live bait before heading out to fish when I decided (against dad's suggestion) to take off my shoes just before scooping up some bait.  As luck would have it, I stepped on a submerged broken bottle slicing the side of my foot wide open.  Dad applied first aid, threw me and all our gear (and grandpa) into the boat and sped back to the boat ramp (that was in the 15' yellow Winner that did just over 50mph WOT) and rushed me to the hospital for some stiches leaving the boat and my grandpa at the ramp.  The ER doctor said "at least the salt water was good for the wound" and now later in life that same salt water heals me mentally.  How true!

There are a lot of great quotes out there, here is the link I found for your reading pleasure.

http://yachtpals.com/quotes

I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe 2012! 

All the best!,

Tom

p.s.    I am planning to go to the NY boat show next week (free tickets  )...and who knows, maybe I will end up back on the water sooner than I thought???  haha! 

Posted: December 31 2011 at 10:14 | IP Logged

great timing Boatman! 

Ian, Welcome!  I completely agree with Roy.  While delaminated decks are a major concern, you need to take into account the entire boat.  It sounds like the water ingress is due to an improperly sealed front deck hatch or thru-deck anchor hardware.  My Catalina had delamination around both areas but it had not spread to the larger area of the fore-deck.  I was able to easily remove the deck hatch scoop out al the wet core material install new plywood and install and seal a new hatch.  I had not gotten to the wet area under the teak bow pulpit but it would have been an easy task.  A good marine inspector/surveyor will be able to tell you the condition and how extensive the damage is IF the boat is relatively inexpensive and has other attributes that make it a good deal, maybe it is one to consider.  I bought mine after the marine survey knowing the extent of the damage but since she had a new, upgraded motor and the hull below the rubrail was 100% solid and shiny I could not pass up the deal.  Perhaps the surveyor would be willing to look at the fore deck first and charge you only for that time spent before going onto the rest of the boat?  Good luuck and keep us updated.  Great to have you onboard.

Tom

Posted: December 31 2011 at 10:19 | IP Logged

regarding the outboard powered Catalina, that I something I always thought about.  The re-engineering of the transom must have been a heck of a project, probably had to move the fuel tank forward and install bigger trim tabs to keep bow rise under control.  What an ideal boat...the perfect hull/cabin layout with the easiest to maintain power and hull draft being your only limitation to exploring skinny waters.  I love it!

Jim, if you have a chance to see it again and take photos, I would love to see the details.

Posted: December 31 2011 at 10:22 | IP Logged

That looks awesome Jim!  I see you are #10 but I call it a perfect 10!

Boatman, great job on the new canvas, I love the vent-flaps idea...shade and air at the same time.  I wonder how that will help control the CO collection from the engine exhaust.  Do you have a meter on board? test it with them open and closed.

Posted: December 31 2011 at 16:50 | IP Logged

Thanks Jim...  if they can put outboards on a Catalina I am sure we can find a way to rig a mast and sail 

Posted: January 01 2012 at 10:32 | IP Logged

Hi,

Thanks for the information regards the soft deck. As the boat stands that is the only problem I can find at the moment so I am having a survey done next week and if everything else is ok will further negotiate on price.

The engines have been changed already to small diesels as petrol is very expensive over here and hard to get (Petrol 9 Dollars a gallon , Diesel about 10 ) and as the boat is for inland rivers use we are limited to just 6mph.

Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Ian

Posted: January 01 2012 at 14:24 | IP Logged

got to take a drive on the beach today along the ocean...mild 50 degrees and sunny

Cap't Nick:

Posted: January 01 2012 at 19:03 | IP Logged

hey Tom Thank you so much for the perfect 10 , It was  great , I want to start one up there in LI. What Beach was that I used 4 wheel all the time up there at Jones beach?  I love it great Picture . 

Happy New Year Caps hope you all had a great day! I wish all of you and your families a very Happy New Year!

Great day down here 78 and Sunny . We took the boat out for a nice ride. Perfect day . I do have a block some were in the waste line  .Went to pump out and there was a blockedge ???? Time for a new toilet on the Happy Hour III the bowl  Tom & Roy showed me  what do I need for that ?????? I need to go get one.  Tom you had one too on My Way what did you think ?????  Here is some Pictures from today dont worry none from our pump at mess lol .

Posted: January 01 2012 at 19:27 | IP Logged

Jim, I am not sure about the beaches in Nassau...Robert Moses has Sore Thumb and then all the suffolk county beaches are further east.

My Way has a manual Jabsco head and a 9 gallon holding tank plumbed only to the deck fitting...no macerator. Simple, reliable design.

Great pix...Always loved the shots from the helm..."cap't's view"

Posted: January 01 2012 at 21:43 | IP Logged

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL CC CAPTAINS!

When we bought our '79 CC a couple of years ago, the anchor windlass was mounted on a solid walnut board (I think.  Fine grained and heavy).  The windlass bearings were shot, so I removed both it and the mounting plank, which I kept thinking I might want to use it again, but finally decided not to.  Anyway, will give it to anyone that wants it, if you pay packaging and postage.  Size is 1-1/4x10-1/2x20-3/8".  Stained dark red walnut.  In great condition other than holes drilled for windlass.  I can send a photo if anyone's interested.

Denis

Posted: January 02 2012 at 20:01 | IP Logged

Tom I sent you an email via my gmail Jimmietv@gmail.com thats my other email . Thanks

Posted: January 02 2012 at 20:31 | IP Logged

Jim, just replied to your email...

Wow...you've been on longer than me!  cool

Posted: January 02 2012 at 22:52 | IP Logged

Hey, Gang, Happy new year to All. Nice pix JimHH3, Weather down in s.e. florida has been great, but that changes TONITE!! Lows in the 30's, highs in the 50's????  Anyway, had a chance to fish with a friend and caught 2 sailfish and 10 bonita(worthless). First mate and I took the Boss's Donzi out of Jupiter Inlet New Years day. Left the inlet @ 1:30PM, caught 2 dolphin and 2 bonita by 2:30 pm and were back at the dock by 3:25 PM. Not a bad start to the new year!!

Soft decks! I have 2 cockpit hatches that need some work. I have to take them home and cut out the underside, remove all the old wood and re-glass some new wood or divinicell and finish them off. Just have to find the time and $$$ to do it.

Hello, to all new members, lotsa great info and great people here!! Nite, All, Capt. Steve

Posted: January 03 2012 at 23:44 | IP Logged

Ian,

Having twin diesels does change the equation. In the States,  deisels are worth twice what gas engines are. But there are always tradeoffs- clean fuel is primary with good fuel filtering. I've never heard of a 280 with twin D's- Veerry Cool indeed- unique too! On the canals, they probably won't get run hard or at speed.  Suggest A test run at sustained W.O.T. Diesels like to be run hard at 80%  plus of their rated horsepower. Keeps things clean inside. Is there any history on the boat? With twins, was it used for open water cruising? May it be possible to run one engine only to bring up that engine's load- let it work harder?

Would you upload pics? Would love to see this boat- especially the engine setup!

best, Roy (Diver)    

Posted: January 04 2012 at 19:56 | IP Logged

Jennifer,

We keep boat at Korth's Pirate's Lair Marina on the Delta Loop, just off the main channel.  One of best marinas in the delta.  Has a good cafe, lots of friendly folk, also lots of empty slips right now.  There are a couple other 280s there but haven't met owners.  If you call or stop by, ask for Tom (harbor master).  Super Guy!  Best sheds are F, G, H, I, (we're in I) best slips on east side of sheds.  We live in Half Moon Bay.

Denis

Posted: January 04 2012 at 23:10 | IP Logged

Hey, Gang. Freezin' our booties off in S.E. Florida. OK, maybe that's an exageration, but it is a bit nippy down here. Had to replace Mystic Diver's VHF radio a few weeks back. Got a good deal on a West Marine DSC radio. Went to the BOATUS/MMSI website and got an MMSI registration number for $FREE!!

DSC=digital selective calling. If you have one of these radio's and you register it with BOAT/US in the event of an emergency, you push the distress alert button and the radio transmits an automated distress signal with boat info and location if radio is conected to a GPS. Good stuff. Nite, All, Capt. Steve

Posted: January 05 2012 at 20:23 | IP Logged

Hi Denis,

We're taking Lorelei out Sat around 10 am up the Embarkadero and back to blow off grass, pump out and sightsee. Would you and a guest like to go for a short excursion? Give us a chance to show off the boat to someone who would appreciate it! This would be with me and Laurie- my better half. I didn't know you lived in Half Moon Bay- we're neighbors.

Roy

Posted: January 07 2012 at 22:47 | IP Logged

Mreman, I have seen a 28 catalina in riviera beach, Fl. with a single outboard, but he doesn't use it much. However, there is a 251 catalina with TWIN yamahas in Tequesta Florida, that I see on a regular basis and it hauls BUTT!!

Keep warm, JimHH!! Capt. H.

Posted: January 08 2012 at 11:46 | IP Logged

Ahoy all,

Have a problem that cropped up yesterday. 

1) After securing for the day, I open the hatch to find salt water spraying all over the place. The water was being kicked up by the spinning raw water pump pulley.

2) The port riser is almost too hot to touch. Starboard riser is cool.

3) We pumped 35-40 gallons of saltwater out of the bilge. I think whatever happened occured just before tying up- enough time to allow that amount of water to accumulate in the bilge. The last time we were out was two weeks ago. All was dry then when I closed the raw water valve at the end of that day.

4) I failed to open the raw water valve and ran the engine for about 30 seconds before remembering and shutting down.  I opened the valve- all seemed fine after start-up. This is a brand new pump. I think the impellor would not fail in that space of time or in any event, causing a leak in the pump itself.

5) I localzed where the leak was coming from- but only generally. I have not done a full inspection. Maybe one of the pump hoses failed. Full inspection is next.

6) The only thing I can think of about the port riser is that there is water restriction- possibly the riser itself is clogged up.

Question: Is it possible that when one of two risers gets blocked- even partially, there is enough back pressure to cause a hose to split?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. 

thank you! Roy

Posted: January 08 2012 at 19:29 | IP Logged

Roy,

I am not sure a clogged riser on its own can cause enough pressure for a hose to break, hmmm... as long as the by-pass hoses are functioning I would think no pressure would build up.

On My Way with the open cooling system (aka salt water cooled), I noticed a clogged riser as it was much hotter than the other one.  Turned out to be the by-pass check valve had rusted and broke, lodging itself in the riser but nothing leaked or hoses split.

Posted: January 09 2012 at 20:05 | IP Logged

Belated Happy New Year All,

Got a virus that killed my desktop and laptop,grrrrrrrrrrr .Got desk top wiped and back online,laptop still down.All is going good on my end.

 Welcome to the new Captains since Christmas.Happy you could join OUR floatilla

Posted: January 09 2012 at 21:44 | IP Logged

Dewey:  I'm not tech guy, but I ONCE removed a virus causing problem, that REALLY screwed-up my laptop.  I did a "Restore", to an earlier time.  Don't know if it will work for you or not, but thought I would mention it, ok? 

Fly Bridge,  Dan

Posted: January 10 2012 at 15:10 | IP Logged

I have a few questions for the group.  We are seriously looking at a 1985 CCC 251 as a second boat to keep on the California Delta.  Maybe we will be neighbors with Denis at Korths. 

So we went to look at it last weekend and it looks good.  We want to take another more thorough look and really check things out before we put in an offer.  Some little things

1. where is the water tank and the inlet to fill it? 
2. has anyone replaced the dockside pump out porta pottie with a marine head and holding tank?  if so, where did you put the holding tank?
3. what do you do for cooking? there is no cook top, oven or microwave on this boat (or bbq)
4. it seems to have the original engine, a 220 hp inboard mercruiser.  but I thought the mercruisers were I/O?  can it really be inboard?
5. said engine has 600 hours.  I assume it is only a mater of time before it needs to be rebuilt?  Comments? (is that a thread in itself?)  there is little maintenance info as the owner died.  Will not buy w/o an engine survey...

Thanks for your help.