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Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Help from you all during commissioning...

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/16/2005 : 23:11:23

Hi everyone,

Well we started commissioning my new C250WK today. We got a late start because the temperature is below freezing here, and we have fog at night, so the boat is a sheet of ice in the morning. The dealer and I thought that discretion was the better part of valor on this, and waited for the sun to come out before starting (at noon). You are up HIGH on C250WK on its trailer!

It took fat, out of shape me 2 hours to unpack everything on the boat, get all the shipping stuff off, etc. Then I ate lunch for a half hour (at 2:30PM), then we started rigging. We could not finish before dark.

There seem to be a couple of things missing from what I expected to receive, and the dealer does not sell enough of this particular type boat (apparently he sells more C22s, as well as larger boats (he is showing a C440 tomorrow)). Anyway, I can't find the handle for the manual bilge pump, is it stowed some secret place?

Also, from other messages on this site, I expected to receive a mast support for the aft end of the boat to use during trailering, and some sort of fiberglass "thingie" to go over the roller on the trailer mast at the bow of the boat. Did you folks that took delivery of new boats in the last couple of years get these things? If so, if someone has a closeup picture of each of these items, it would be VERY helpful. Also, I think there should be some "baby shrouds" for raising the mast, is this correct? They may be in the boxes, but I don't remember seeing them.

Thanks in advance, as usual, for your help. The support of this group will make owning this boat much more pleasent.

It sure is fun to do this commissioning (sortof) myself. (The dealer is doing a lot of the work that requires skill, experience or talent.) I will be putting up pictures of the commissioning process very soon, as well as a description of what all we did, as promised previously.

Sure is a nice boat. Can't wait to get it wet...

Kevin Mackenzie
Former Association Secretary and Commodore
"Dogs Allowed"
'06 C250WK #881
and
"Jasmine"
'01 Maine Cat 30 #34

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2005 : 23:38:40

...I can't find the handle for the manual bilge pump, is it stowed some secret place?

Mine always hides in the coaming pocket. It rolls behind the lip of the coaming and you can't see it, you have to reach in, and feel for it.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 00:02:54

Hmmm... Coaming pocket, eh? I didn't notice having one of them.

I'll take a look tomorrow. By coaming pocket, you mean a hole in the coaming where one can put winch handles, things like that, correct? Wow. How did I miss that...?

Thanks.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 08:48:30

Kevin

Mine is a 2003 and although I did not purchase her (PO did) I have all the documentation and invoices. After going through all the receipts, it appears the optional mast raising system was added to the price of the trailer. The receipt does not have a separate price but states "mast raising system". In the catalina manual it says the "mast raising system" is optional and refers to baby stays, rear mast support, fabric support that goes around the mast and under the spreaders to attach line to winch. The mast fits over the tall telescopic trailer support up front and is part of the trailer. Get the stainless baby stays with pelican hooks! Thay are a must to raise the mast. Other things are purely optional. Trail rite trailer price with options, tongue ext., guides, surge brakes, tandem = 5085.00

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 09:00:04

Oh, also - no where on the catalina paperwork or orderform is there a reference to the optional mast raising system. That seemed od. Everything else is listed - canvas package, rigging, cusions, etc.

I can see how you and your dealer assumed that it was included.

The stainless steel mast bracket on the back (pintals) is a formidable piece of steel and probably what you want. Those out there making these out of 2 x 4's or aluminum, just aren't getting the same construction and support. I have added a support in the center of the mast to help support the center of the mast (those pesky spreaders want to scratch your deck!) while trailering. Watch the "T" ends of the shrouds when raising - you don't want to bend them (there is a fix for this by someone - plastic ties to hold their position).

Good luck and yep - it sure is high working on that deck!

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 10:57:31

When my C250 WK arrived the bilge pump handle was in one of the drawers in the galley. There was a piece of cord wound around the handle.

The "baby stays" and hardware for raising the mast came in a box and were sealed in a large plastic bag. A lot of those type things were in the aft berth.

As I recall the stern mast support was inside the boat and wrapped in some kind of foam packing.

If you would like to send my your personal email address I will send you a few of the photos I have of my boat when it was delivered, and the parts you discussed in your post.

Dan #727

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 11:04:05

Turk,

First, thanks very much again for those pictures you took of the boat on the trailer a few weeks ago. They have been invaluable. I would suggest the web master for this site put them up in a tech tip, I referred to them so often.

They may have changed since you ordered, but the trailer option now says "including mast raising system". I knew I had seen it in writing, but it still took me a while to find where the text was. The dealer, meanwhile, said his material no longer lists it as a separate option, so it must be standard with the trailer. We'll see what the factory says on Monday (they were {of course} having a Christmas party Friday afternoon, so we could not contact them).

Did you get the fiberglass dohicky that other posts have referred to, to "cover the roller on the forward mast support of the trailer"? I can't imagine what that is, but this other message says it exists.

When you trailer the boat, do you tie the mast to the pulpit or to the front support on the trailer? Also, I assume you tie the back of the mast to rail directly above where the rudder would attach?

Thanks so much for the help Turk.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 12:19:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kevinmac
 Turk,

First, thanks very much again for those pictures you took of the boat on the trailer a few weeks ago. They have been invaluable. I would suggest the web master for this site put them up in a tech tip, I referred to them so often.

They may have changed since you ordered, but the trailer option now says "including mast raising system". I knew I had seen it in writing, but it still took me a while to find where the text was. The dealer, meanwhile, said his material no longer lists it as a separate option, so it must be standard with the trailer. We'll see what the factory says on Monday (they were {of course} having a Christmas party Friday afternoon, so we could not contact them).

Did you get the fiberglass dohicky that other posts have referred to, to "cover the roller on the forward mast support of the trailer"? I can't imagine what that is, but this other message says it exists.

When you trailer the boat, do you tie the mast to the pulpit or to the front support on the trailer? Also, I assume you tie the back of the mast to rail directly above where the rudder would attach?

Thanks so much for the help Turk.

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

No problem with the pictures.

I do not have a "do-hickey" nor do I know what one is! What is it?

I tie the mast to the front trailer support. The back of the mast goes on the support that goes into the pintles for the rudder. Both supports raise the mast high enough for the spreaders to just clear although if it (the mast) turns, the spreaders will hit the deck. I have a 2x4 support that stops the mast from "bouncing" in the middle and I use my two large fenders to support under the spreaders. My flexible roller furler front stay I run over to the lifelines and support it there. It is longer than the mast but by routing it to the life lines takes up enough slack to even it out when it reaches the front mast (in the trailer cradle) (wheww!)

Where are you located Kevin? Are you going sailing tommorrow?

Edited by - Turk on 12/17/2005 12:20:26

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2005 : 21:41:08

I'm in Seattle right now, and no, no sailing tomorrow, we are STILL putting the boat together. We only got about 3 hours of work time today, before Carl had to leave for a Christmas party (he is Santa, hard to skip).

I gotta hustle and finish tomorrow, freezing rain predicted for tomorrow night, I don't want to drive home in that...

Brrrr...

One more thing. I did not receive line for the furler. Did other folks get it? I went and bought some from West Marine tonight, will put on tomorrow, just want to see if I should request some from the factory. They did in fact forget the mast raising stuff. I found the bilge pump handle in the drawer, right where y'all promised.

I hope it is not windy in the morning. We put the main up in calm winds (on the trailer), but ran out of time for jib.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2005 : 07:45:37

Just my two cents, If you use the rear mast crutch that Catalina supplies and extend it up all the way the spreaders will ride very nicely on the lifelines. I do wrap the ends of the spreaders with old garmets etc to keep the spreader bars from rubbing on the the lifelines.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2005 : 08:41:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bear
 Just my two cents, If you use the rear mast crutch that Catalina supplies and extend it up all the way the spreaders will ride very nicely on the lifelines. I do wrap the ends of the spreaders with old garmets etc to keep the spreader bars from rubbing on the the lifelines.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Good point, I guess I'm thinking the lowest configuration possible because mine slips into a pole barn with 12' under the trusses. Lifting the rear would give the spreaders more clearance. Cover your spreader ends and put a couple socks on your furler.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2005 : 09:13:47

My rig while sitting on the trailer, measured from the ground to the mast laying in the supports (which are all the way down) is 12' 6". If you raise anything up, make sure you measure it before heading down the highway. Most states have a height restriction of 13' 6". Watch those gas station over hangs. Of course if you have a WB theres no problem.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2005 : 10:16:42

Interesting picture.

Have you already posted close ups of the furler supports you made? I'd like to see more what they look like. I know I have seen it in other messages, but if you have pictures of your mid-mast support, I would love to see that too. I know posting takes time, thanks for doing it if you can.

Catalina forgot my mast support, so I have to figure some way to support the mast on the way home today... Sigh.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2005 : 18:23:31

Here's a couple links to prior discussions on furler supports.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9049&SearchTerms=furler,support

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9458&SearchTerms=furler,support

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2005 : 01:34:16

Thanks Tom. The trick was to know the search word was "furler". Will know better next time.

Commissioning is officially done, and I am on my way back home, but it will be a while before I am home. Portland is having an ice storm, so I am holed up in Dupont, WA waiting for warmth. Probably will be here until at least Tuesday...

I came away with from this process with some information and pictures that I will write up and post on my site with a link here.

I also came away with many, many questions. The dealer does not sell very many C250s, mostly C22s as well as larger boats. I am not sure I got the best advice about trailering methods. I hate the way we wrapped all the lines around the mast. I hope the furler was supported well enough to survive an hour at freeway speeds. All I had available was to tie it at the tip of the mast. I will rig up something better in the downtime waiting for weather, unless it really dumps ice up here too...

I hope everyone won't mind more questions, I will write some up tomorrow from my hotel room.

I am feeling very good about the purchase. In addition to the boat just feeling right, and well made, the place where I was putting her together was right next to a marina access gate. Countless people stopped to talk, or rolled down their car windows, to tell me what a great boat I had purchased, how they have sailed one before, or used to own one (owning a C250 seems to lead to 40'+ boat ownership, hope it leads to an increase in income as well...), and all loved it. It was a lot of fun talking to everyone.

Thanks to everyone on this site who has helped me so far, not just in this thread but between late summer and now as I made the decision to buy the boat, tried to figure out options, etc etc. I know y'all get the same questions over and over, and I appreciate you taking the time to help a newbie. That's why I am doing the writeup on commissioning. With additions and corrections from you experts, perhaps I can give us all another place to point folks to when they get their new C250...

Fair winds.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2005 : 22:00:03

The boat is home in Portland now, ice storm completed...

Next project is to get the outboard installed. I have searched all of the messages in the archives, and am left with a question:

It seems that the Tempo Valu 6 plastic fuel tank is the best bet. If I can find one, can someone please describe how they routed their fuel line? You see, installation of the motor includes fuel and electrical installation, but if I have to mail order the tank, I need to tell them precisely wehere to run the fuel line into the fuel locker. Also, did you you a thru-hull type fitting (small brass thing to get fuel line through the locker, or...?

To recap what I think I learned from the archives:

Run the electrical wires in on the starboard outboard wall of the starboard cockpit "pocket". Several method of getting through the hull are used, I plan to use a trolling motor connector.

If you have any comments on those choices, I would much appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2005 : 09:06:26

Kevin,
I have the Tempo 6, got it from West Marine. My fuel locker has a clam vent and my hose runs through it.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2005 : 10:20:29

Thanks Tom. Sorry, I was not clear with my question. *Where* on the fuel locker does the line come in? You see, they may be putting the clamshell or whatever in before I get the tank, if local WM does not have, and I am lazy enough to want them to do it rather than me if it is included in the price of the motor. How high up does the Tempo Valu 6 (plastic tank) sit inside the locker? Can I run the fuel line in from any direction, or must it be from aft in the center, or ?

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2005 : 11:14:09

Kevin,
The vent I'm referring to is the stock one installed by Catalina, its on the stern. I looked for a picture but could not find one. If you were standing behind your boat it would be located on the starboard side of you rudder (on the back side of the fuel locker). Its the same on all 250's or at least on all the ones I have seen. Its has about a 2-1/2" hole, plenty of room for your fuel hose to run through.

The tank is a little tough to get in and out of the locker, it just does fit. I leave my tank in the locker when I refuel, I refill it using another container. Since the tank does not come with a fuel gage, I keep track of my fuel usage by using a stick that I marked Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 I keep the stick in the locker.

The fuel connection built on the tank rotates 360 and there is plenty room on top of the tank for the hose to lay. I run my hose out the back of the fuel locker through the locker vent to the motor. I'm sure your boat will come with the same fuel locker vent setup, seems to be standard. You won't need to drill any holes or do anything.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 12/20/2005 11:16:35

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2005 : 19:28:27

Kevin,
I found a picture of the fuel locker vent, if you look closely between the rudder and motor you will be able to see it.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2005 : 20:16:26

I get your point now Tom, you took your hose in through the large vent. I had not thought of doing that, I was thinking you added something else. I'll take a look at the boat in the morning. Thanks!

BTW, I must be getting old, I can barely see the transom in that picture... ;-)

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2006 : 02:55:03

Well, the boat is nestled in my slip.

We got the Yamaha 8HP outboard installed. We used a Tempo Valu 6 tank as recommended by Cathy. It fits like a glove, comes in and out easily. Ran the power thru a 3 conductor trolling motor plug installed on the starboard coaming as advised here and in previous messages on the site. Ran the fuel line through one of the two vent holes on the bottom of the fuel tank locker.

Then the boat went into drydock (yes, we have those here, an amazing relic built in the early 60's) for barrier coat and bottom paint. When that was complete, I installed a Windex as described in yet more message on this site, and we raise the mast with a crane since I still have not received my mast raising kit. (Actually, Catalina sent it right away, but dealer is buried getting ready for boat show, so I will pick it up at the show in Seattle next week.) Along the way I found that my dealer forgot some things about setting up a 250. He did not rig the topping lift correctly, so we fixed that. He also ran the furler from the top pin on the forward part of the masthead rather that the lower one. We left that alone, the top pin is for a spinaker block, I won't need that for a while. All of this was done in two days of driving rain. The Columbia river is near flood stage as I write this, but we will have a days respite from the rain allowing it to settle down.

So far, the score for manufacturing defects is:

1.) Rudder gudgeons slightly out of alignment making it impossible to insert the rudder properly. We removed, shimmed and rebedded the upper gudgeon, it is fine now.

2.) There is a tiny void in the gelcoat on the upper outboard corner of the starboard cockpit coaming. We will fix that if it ever stops raining...

3.) The starboard cockpit locker leaks, as many others do. I need to look up what the fix for that is...

4.) No mast raising kit, and no trailer maintenance manual.

5.) The real bummer. I did not get help from the dealer in packing the boat up to be trailered, and I did not adequately secure the furling unit. The stainless part appears to be out of round, and the boatyard guy says he felt a crease in it. So I guess I need to order a new one of those.

Not perfect, in fact not very good quality by current auto mfg standards, but not anything to make me unhappy so far. With the mast down, the boat listed to starboard some, but I did not notice that once the mast was up. Have to look again if it ever stops raining...

See my other message about motoring. If you sail in the Columbia, and see me coming, you should probably give me a wide berth for a while...

I will write more up about this and put in on a website later this month.

Happy New Year!

Edited by - on

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