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Catalina Direct rant

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/06/2005 : 16:50:46

We have so many new members that I wanted to ensure everyone understand CD.
What and why; Catalina Direct.
Catalina Direct is the web presence of

THE FOREDECK
10210 SYSTEMS PKWY # 390
SACRAMENTO, CA, 95827
Phone: 916-843-1970
www.catalinadirect.com

We all carry consumer baggage, it makes us hyper sensitive to being manipulated. Some see the CD owner's manual as a nothing but a ruse for selling us things. DUH, get over it. Of course it is a catalog. What good is it to list things that you cannot buy? Lowell (the owner and the tech support person) has worked his A off to collate all that has been learned about the Catalina 22, 25 and 30 and to develop "kits" for retrofits as well as a source for parts. He has worked with Garhauer to develop specific products for our boats, like the four spring motor mount. He offers Ullman sails cheaper than anyone else, (He stocks them for same day delivery!). He has included tech tips from our various associations in the "manual". He is the premier Catalina Dealer of our time because he actually operates a complete web based operation. He recently moved from a product display website where you had to order on the phone to a true online store for the insomniacs. He has sponsored our National regattas at a level that is equal to Catalina Yachts. People, if you are not astounded and truly grateful for Catalina Direct then you have not beaten your head against the ignorance and incompetence of other dealers long enough.
Catalina does change part sources willy nilly, the people on the phone are not equal to the knowledge of Lowell but at least they are honest enough to hand you off rather than ship you stuff that doesn't work. Lowell is very busy, he is running a company, yet he takes it on himself to be the tech guy. As much as I love this association, CD is as much a reason to own our boats as is this association. Our boats hold their value and are as viable as they are because of this site and CD. Are there a few members of this association that know as much or more than Lowell? Probably but they are not taking your calls with product ready to ship.

Frank Hopper
Past Secretary
Vice Commodore
Catalina Mainsheet Technical Editor
2005 National Regatta Organizer

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 17:24:24

Can he get an Amen Brothers & Sisters?

Yeah sure, Amen. I've been very pleased with their knowledge and competency - and fast shipping - every time I've purchased from CD. Of course, if I had Frank's money to work with I would have purchased a lot more from them......

Steve

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 17:51:22

Hi Frank. I agree with you about how much knowlege they have and are willing to share. I was just suprized at the fact that the Owners Handbook is also a sales tool. I don't have a problem with that, I just did not know it. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 17:51:49

I will second the rant of Catalina Direct, I have worked with them on several projects on the Capri 25 also, They have been more than helpfull with finding a replacement part that has been out of stock for a long time. I ordered new rubrail and the extrusions from them as well as some forward cleats to replace the old plastic ones. The extrusions were bent on shipment and instead of having to deal with UPS with a insurance claim, CD shipped overnight the damaged goods. There pricing is very fair and beat West marine hands down. I only try to go to WM for last min. deals, I have also found that Layline is a great sorce for racing gear, and are fast in the shipping department as well. Not to steal this thread but if you are reading I would try and stay away from Marine.com. I had ordered a t-track from them that took 2 months to confirm shipment, I had to go as far as calling schaefer, and asking if the order had been placed. I did save a few bucks but I will never deal with them again. Its 20 deg here today and the sailing bug has been knocking at the door. It just beginning winter time, and it looks like snow in the near future. Well at least we have the Forum, I just might pull out the RC Sailboat and put it into the tub and play with it. :)

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 19:50:42

I don't know why Frank brought this subject up, but he is correct in his praise of Lowell, and Catalina Direct. I have spent lots of money with them on multiple orders, and they very rarely screw up, and when they do, they make it right immediately.
When I was trading up from my 22 to my 25, Lowell took time out to give me advice.
Their rigging shop does a great job. I completely rerigged my 22 and my 25 with their parts.
Their handbooks do make our boats more valuable to beginners, like I was, and heavily influenced me to buy a Catalina.
When I buy a 34 or 36 someday, you can be sure that Catalina Direct will be supplying lots of my parts.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 20:58:07

Geez Frank...That's a fairly harsh tone to take, especially if it is in direct response to something that one of our newer members has said recently.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 21:16:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 Geez Frank...That's a fairly harsh tone to take, especially if it is in direct response to something that one of our newer members has said recently.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If it were intended to anyone I would not have posted it. The truth is, this post is more out of frustration at how many times we all send new people to CD without explaining to them what CD is so they understand right up front. As usual I came across more emphatic than I should, you really old members know I am relatively harmless. (These kind of posts are why only 7 people voted for me for VC.

) There are any number of you who would gladly edit my rants if I were only smart enough to send them to you before I posted them. Don you are always dead on when you rein me in.
I do hope the kernel of the post is obvious and true; CD is a really important partner to this association and to each of us

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 21:32:27

Catalina Direct is the first place I look when I need something. Wish they had the same book for the Capri. It shares a lot with the other Catalinas, but some things are VERY different. Rudder, tiller, traveler, boom for instance.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 22:04:50

When I first looked at the Catalina Direct website, I thought they must be part of Catalina. They really do a service that is hard matched by any other enterprise and is a real benefit to all Catalina owners. It is hard to believe there is so many replacement parts available.

There is one item I bought recently which unfortunately needs to be tweaked a bit and I will eventually get around to alerting them so that corrections/quality control can be improved. But let me pass this on in case anyone has similar issue.

I am replacing my motor bracket. The original motor bracket is the 2 spring model and the welds at the top of the mounting plate or cracked. I am most likely going to buy a new 4-stroke outboard and given the weight of the Johnsons, Yamahas and Hondas, the 2 spring motor mount doesn't cut it. On my boat, there is a block and tackle to assist in pulling up the old Honda 4-stroke. But since the newer models are even a bit heavier than my model, I opted for the new 4 spring model Garhauer from CD. When I received the new bracket, I noticed that the two top SS Bolts did not have the threads sticking out past the self locking nuts. There should be a thread or two showing. Instead, the bolts were a bit loose and even when tightened, they barely thread onto the nylon insert of the self locking nuts. Not a good thing considering the bracket is subjected to a lot of vibration, etc. I suspect what happened was that the 4 spring model has a spindle that does not allow a longer bolt to be used. I removed the bolts and they are 1 1/2". The boat stores commonly carry 1 1/2" and 2" bolts but not 1 3/4". A 1 3/4" bolt will do the trick and if by chance slightly long and hits the spindle, then a second washer under the bolt head will make it fit. I found a website to get the 1 3/4" SS bolts and will be installing them onto the bracket by this weekend. Anyone else with a 4 spring mount, recommend check to see that the top bolts are fully engaged into the nut and should have a thread or two sticking out of the nut. The bottom two bolts on the bracket were long enough. There is no problem there since the spindle does not interfere with longer more commonly available SS Bolts. Anyway, thought I would pass the info along and after I have success installing the 1 3/4" bolts onto my bracket, i will then pass the info to CD.

Still - They do a great service for all of us and I am sure to make addl purchases in the future.

Larry

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2005 : 23:51:46

We're getting Prozac new open body turbuckles for Christmas (don't tell, it's a surprise) and went to CD to check them out. Not only was their price as good or better than anyone else, we know we are going to get something that will work on our boat. The way I see it, it's kind of like the local market down the street - they may not always have the absolute lowest price or an expansive selection, but they have what I really need when I really need it so I support them whenever I can so they can stay there.

And Frank, you made me feel welcome when I first posted and I just think you're passionate in your beliefs. And I can read your posts about sail trim all day long so please don't start editing things now!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2005 : 00:07:22

Thank you Pam. I like you too.

Larry,
I do not understand your post. Here is a picture of my new 4 spring mount. Where is the spindle?

Edited by - on

rclift
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2005 : 02:26:50

Larry, One of the problems with our Catalinas is the variances in thinkness of the hull and deck molds from one model to another. For instance there is a 1/4 inch difference in thickness of the cabin top from just the starboard to the port side of my boat. Learned that when I was installing the halyard clutches. One side was perfect and the other to short.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2005 : 06:51:19

Frank,

You have great photos ! I have to try and do same. Anyway - You see in your photo the spindle (maybe it's about 1/4" diameter) that is very close to the top of the bracket near the engine clamps. It's the top most area of the motor bracket where the angle irons connect to the SS support plate. It's not the bracket to transom area. it's the motor bracket SS plate that has the polymer mount where the engine rests upon. That SS plate under close inspection is attached to the motor bracket angle irons with 4 SS bolts - 2 are at the top and 2 on the bootm of the plate. The upper two bolt heads are inside the polymer mount - the polymer was counterbored so the bolt heads don't stick out and interfere with mounting the engine. the lower 2 bolts don't interfere anyway and so they are on the outside flush against the polymer mount. On the angle iron side (okay those andle irons are really SS - stainless steel) that is where the slef locking nuts are and close inspection indiscates that the nuts have maybe 1/8" clearance with that top spindle. That's why they use shorter SS Bolts on the top supports - otherwise longer bolts would hit that spindle. (The spindle's purpose is to hold the outer end of the spring.) On the bracket I recieved, the angle irons also have spot welds at the very top of those angle irons onto the SS mounting plate and the welds are also at the bottom of the bracket. this is just as it is on my old bracket but the welkds are cracked on my old bracket. the 4 bolts that hold the polymer mount to the SS plate are probably sufficient anyway but since I had a 2 spring model and the welds were cracked, i decided to get the new bracket. The old bracket because it does not have 4 springs, has no spindle close to the SS plate as is on the 4 spring model. In any case, maybe the 1 1/2" bolts they used on the top part of the mount and the fact that they were loose was a fluke. I am going to install the 1 3/4" bolts by this weekend and I will report back on that. It looks like 1 3/4" is the right size but it is an uncommon bolt length and most of the marine stores do not have it. The Boat US store i my area did not have that size but there catalog does have 1 3/4" if you buy them in bulk. I found another supplier where I could buy them singly.

Larry

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2005 : 12:16:33

Hi All, I was thinking today about how I, quite by accedent, bought a sailboat (La Tina Caliente) and how in a matter of weeks, literally, have this tremendous wealth of information that I do not think I would have had if it were not for all the great new friends on this forum and the CD handbook. From the Tech Tips, which I pour over nightly, to the superfast responces here in the forums, to the great links and manuals on this site (free) and all the detailed illistrations and suggestions in the CD handbook. If it weren't for all this, I would spend a great deal of time on the boat with my $#@% in my hands wondering what to do next. So thanks all and happy holiday. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2005 : 16:17:57

Hey Don
We Franks are very mellow, and most of all, demure people

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2005 : 18:31:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 Hey Don
We Franks are very mellow, and most of all, demure people

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah, I've noticed!

Edited by - on

pmcarman
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2005 : 23:38:33

I know I've found that I've been spoiled both by the great service I've gotten so far from Catalina Direct (they always call to confirm orders I've placed, and to let me know if there will be any delays) as well as this web site. I've taken for granted that owning, refitting, updating, and getting the maximum enjoyment out of my boat can be had with such a knowledgeable bunch of people - just proves I picked the right vessel, it seems!

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2005 : 15:13:47

Dang, If any of you think Frank is rabid in his ravings you should have been at our last local sailing club meeting. I think we almost called out the national guard.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2005 : 18:54:08

Frank,

Just wanted to pass along the info regarding those 1 1/2" bolts I mentioned in an earlier posting. I just replaced those bolts with the 1 3/4" ones and found that there was some interference with the spring spindle on the 4-spring motor bracket. So, as I thought I would have to do, I added one extra SS washer into the counterbored polymer mounting board, then installed the 1 3/4" bolts and that worked fine. Now the bolt threads completely onto the self locking nut and there is 2 threads sticking out of the nut which is the way it should be. I just got off the phone with Catalina Direct technical support and passed the info along. They thanked me and are going to check their 4 spring outboard brackets that are in stock and see if any of them have nuts that are not fully engaging the bolt threads because of too short a bolt was installed.

Larry

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2005 : 19:32:03

(Me rabid?)

Larry,
This is one of the things about sailing that attract me; it is still a cottage industry. There are human beings at each intersection that the boat owner has with the industry. Now everyone benefits from your efforts because someone listened when you had something to say.

(heh heh cool)

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 12/08/2005 19:34:11

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2005 : 08:13:12

One other Item of note

Lowell has promised some level of support for this years nationals.

dw

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2005 : 22:52:50

Go CD!!!!!!

I ordered a few new rudder gudgeon bushings. I was told at the time of ordering that they were out of stock. No biggie. 5 weeks went by and I get a call on the phone. It is CD and they want to make sure I still need them before they ship. This is personal service at it's best. I was happily surprised that a busy company would take the time to call a customer over a $3 part. They have my business.

Tom.

Edited by - on

RADIOGUY
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2005 : 00:13:57

Wow
You guys can really do the soap box justice. I could not be more pleased to have a CD book in my new old boat. I used it the other day to order my spreader brackets online at CD and not 5 minutes later a very "nice" sounding lady called and gave me shipping status on my parts. I own my own business and getting a "fair" price(maybe not the best but fair) and outstanding service is what I try to give and when I get it back.WOW

Edited by - on

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