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So Many Questions....

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DrDre
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/28/2004 : 14:55:06

Hello all!

So, I'm preparing my list of "to do's" before my June 5 launch of Ananda. I've got a list a mile long of upgrades/improvements/alterations/additions, etc. Sounds like we all do, after all that's half the fun. Anyway I'm a new owner and need some advice on some stuff. I know this is long but any help would be appreciated.

1) Bottom Paint. The boat has been trucked up from Charleston this past fall and has yet to be in her new home waters (Hudson River and Long Is. Sound). Should I repaint this coming summer before launch? The existing antifouling looks in really good shape, I think. Will post pics when I can for further advice. If I should paint where/how do I start? What type of paint for these waters? The boat will be in the water for entire summer then on the hard in the marina for next winter. Can I get away with one more summer without painting and enjoy being a new boat owner for a bit? What are the dangers of not repainting this summer?

2) Repair of dings. Ananda has been backed into a few docks in her 6 year life and has about 5 or so nicks in her behind. Also a small bit broken off the aft section of the keel (about 4 inchs long and 2 inches deep) Again I'll upload pics when I can figure out how to do it with my Macintosh. My question is about fixing these dings. Should I repair them at once (when it warms up and before launch)? The dings vary in size from a one inch to about 4 inches in length, and they're all showing fibreglass fibers though not torn all through it.

3) Water Tank. My water holding tank is factory installed and straped in with metal bands forward under the center berth. In order to get to it I have to remove the table from its storage area and reach under to check for leaks, etc. How do I drain it completely? My only draining option was to keep pumping the galley and head sinks until nothing came out, but looking at the tank I could still see some water at the bottom. I also pumped out some nasty looking brown goop that must've settled on the bottom and along the pipes. Having left about a quart of water in the bottom before the freeze of winter hit how much damage will I be looking at during the thaw? What's the proper procedure for cleaning out the tank and maintaining it so the water is potable and non-gunked?

4) The Mast. Is it possible for me to raise and rig the mast as well as tune it myself with minimal help? (not to mention minimal experience) I don't have a trailer and don't have a gin pole or A-Frame raising rig to do this. The other option is to have the marina raise and rig it. Do I have a standard or tall rig?

5) Masthead sheaves. I'm noticing that the one I took off the masthead is a bit cracked and crazed. Where do I find a replacement. Everywhere I look, West Marine, Samalot Marine, Sailnet, doesn't seem to have that size. Is there a way to find out specs that aren't in the owners manual? Where? Call Catalina?

These are the major questions I'm trying to figure out right now. I leave for a job and will be away for 4 months so that's another reason for the posting. I wanted to get a game plan before I left.

Thank you for reading and any ideas are welcome. Your thought and advice are very much appreciated.

All my best,
Andre'

1998 250 WK "Ananda" #373 City Island, New York

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2004 : 17:52:44

Dings are more intimidating than difficult. If there is no structural damage, the ding shouldn't be deep and can probably be taken care of with gel coat repair. If the ding is deep... then some resin and possible cloth will be needed. There are very good books and guides on doing those repairs.

I doubt that a quart of water in the tank freezing will be an issue... but if any is left in a line with a fitting, it will probably destroy the fitting. Most winterizing will include an amount of cheap booze in the remaining bit of water to insure that no damage is done. There are some commercial products available at an RV supply.

Black scum is common in fresh water systems that don't get used enough. For this reason, a great many boaters rely on bottled water for drinking water. A fresh water system however that is used regularly stays pretty fresh. I would suggest rigging some kind of pump to discharge the tanks every couple of weeks and refill them. I have a blaster pump with a valve to choose either fresh or sea water... it use really goes a long way to keeping the water system free of the black gunk.

The simplest method to raise a mast is with a vertical (non-rotating)A frame gin pole. Do a search as this has been discussed quite a bit on the forum. Search the main and C25 section as well. Most of those will discuss a rotating A frame... as the standing A frame technique is fairly recent evolution.

If questions remain after your search... fire away.

Most owners rely on both Catalina and Catalina Direct (not a part of Catalina Yachts) for parts. The links section will provided contact information.

I've had some very long to do list... and as you say... its fun to line one out, tackle it... and cross it off the list.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2004 : 18:55:20

Andre,
Welcome to the C250 forum, I have a C250 WB in upstate N.Y. and like Arlyn Stewart the bottom has never been painted. It was in Lake George for its first seven years and in the Great Sacandaga Lake the last three years. May thru Sept. I would think if mooring in the Hudson River and probably the sound you will be OK for this coming season. While on the hard next fall you can clean and re-evaluate the bottom.
I think for the first time you would be better off having a competent marina help with the mast the first time. Also down that way is a Long Island fleet of C25/C250's you might want to locate, there help might be invaluable down the road. Hope this helps out with some of your concerns. Also there is an owners manual available on this website, other members can guide you to it. Good Luck "Bear" in upstate N.Y.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2004 : 21:25:33

Welcome...again?

Here's my five cents:

1-If the bottom looks good, don't worry about it. Go sailing, and see what you have at the end of the season. There is no danger in not repainting. Worst case scenario is some growth on it if the anti fouling properties of the paint have tired out. In that case you take a snorkel and a brush this summer and give her a scrub.

2-As Arlyn said, gelcoat repair will probably do the job. You could just mix some up and fill in the dings, won't hurt anything, and you can always grind it out again. Then you can worry about finishing and polishing next time you're on the hard and have had some time to research the procedure. You're lucky, white is an easy color to work with.

3-Arlyn said it.

4-If you don't have a raising rig you have two choices, yard/crane/$$$ or some beefy friends, at least one with experience. Schmoozing in marina's can get you those friends in a hurry. (Free beer afterwards..you buy) A few hours start to finish....As far as standard or tall, call Catalina with your hull #. The tall rig was only offered for a short period, not sure if your's fell in that.

5-Arlyn said it...

Posting pictures. Photo's are not uploaded to this site, just a reference is placed. When you read a page, the forum directs the picture to be downloaded from wherever it is directly to your computer. So, first you have to post the picture on the web somewhere. Shutterbug is one way people go I believe. I just use a back stage page on my web site. Make sure the pictures are small. (down load time!!!) Anything over 72dpi is a waste. 5x3 is a size I use a lot. Then, in your post you hit the picture button up top (yellow square) and you get the text:

"open bracket" image "close bracket" "open bracket" /image "close bracket"

I did not type the actual brackets otherwise the forum would think I was trying to place a picture. Just hit the picture button, you'll see what I mean. Then type the web address of the picture between the second and third bracket. There is another how to on this subject in the practice forum I believe.

Good luck

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - on

DrDre
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2004 : 13:25:41

Thanks for your advice guys. I've been on the phone with Kent at Catalina and he's been very helpful as well. Looks like I'm going to take your advice and get the yard to raise/ rig/tune the mast for this first season. That should give me enough experience with the procedure to do again next summer.

- I'm going to also take your advice and leave the bottom paint as is and periodically check it out during the summer. I may need to do a little scraping myself but that should be fun.

- Kent mentioned a mast carrier that clips in the gudgeons and it has roller on it. He said that's the way they raise the masts at the plant with 3 guys. Anyone have experience with this item?

- I'm contacting the Parts dept. for the masthead sheave.

- The Dings: The gelcoat repair does sound doable by a newbie and I will attempt it June 1st when I return and it's warmer.

- The Holding Tank: Kent agreed that the damage shouldn't be that much because of freezing. He also recommended the ol' vodka in the tank trick. I'll flush it out like crazy this summer too.

- Finally the Picture posting Oscar was talking about: Does anyone have experience with posting problems with Macs? I can't for the life of me post a picture to Yahoo Pictures, Shutterbug or IPhoto with my Mac. Don't know why this is but I'm going batty. I'm getting a Mac.com account today and will try with that in the test zone but if you have any insight please share.

Again, thanks for your help

Andre'

(Arlyn - Your website is amazingly helpful!!) Does anyone else have a personal website with tips and tricks that newbiews can look at and dream about? Is there a place on this forum where those with websites can post the address for the rest of us? Maybe I'll post this as a question to all.

Off to go and look at Ananda and make sure she's not overwhelmed by the snow drifts.....

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2004 : 14:11:38

Andre'
I sent you mail through the site system last week and offered to help with any Mac issues, did you get my mail? You will note one of my email addresses is my id, feel free to send me an email so we can discuss what I do. As a Mac guy I seldom go where PC people go, I have used the 10 Meg from COX Cable that comes with my cable modem account for the individual pictures that I post and my .mac account for albums that I post links to. I am going to need to buy more space soon at both places; my .mac area has more pictures than this site sees so it holds a lot before you need to buy more space. iPhoto is amazing, we should not even discuss it here or the PC users will want to commit moronocide.

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2004 : 16:25:00

DrDre: Below is a photo of the mast carrier that Kent described. It is attached just to the left of the rudder and can be used with the rudder in place...the photo was take during the commissioning of my boat last September.

Dan #727

Edited by - on

arlingva
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2004 : 19:10:10

Dre,

You can step the mast by yourself if you have the piece that fits into the gudgeons. I've done it twice by myself. If you don't have it, two or more friends are a must. I travel to LI occassionally and might be able to arrange a time to meet you and give you a hand once it gets warm.

Bill

Edited by - on

DrDre
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2004 : 20:06:21

Dan - Did you use that mast carrier to step the mast as well? Also I notice that you don't have the 8"x8" plastic square outboard mount on the stb transom motor area. I'm only asking because I have to replace my chewed up one and want to know what the newer boats have. Does it, for instance, have a metal backing plate so it doesn't get so chewed up by the outboard claps? Also my plastic cowl vent that's on the gas locker needs to be replaced and I notice you have a stainless one. Did you add that too?

Bill - Which "piece that fits into the gudgeons " are you talking about? If it saves me $$ I'm all for it. You are very kind to offer to help but my boat is about 1 hour north of Manhattan on the Hudson River (Haverstraw Marina). The reason for my fast and furious need for some answers is I'm going out of town next week until May 29th and need to get my to do list in order. By the way I'm from Manassas and hope to venture down to the Chesapeake this or next summer on Ananda to take my parents for a little boat trip.

Andre'

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2004 : 20:31:11

Dre: The mast rests on the mast carrier when the boat is on the trailer and it is stepped from the bow of the boat. Those instructions should be in the owner's manual and I've read a thread by Arlyn that gives great instructions regarding stepping the mast, and I think Bryan may have also contributed some additional or further discussion in that regrad.

I have the saildrive inboard diesel engine so there are no motor mounts. I would check with Frog0911 who has a new WK, and I'm sure he can tell you what he has from the factory and any additions he made.

The cowl vent came with the boat....

Best of luck with the new boat and great sailing, Dan #727

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2004 : 18:58:24

Penny II's motor well has a 8x8x1/4" plastic piece attached to the outside and 8x3" piece of stainless with a 1/8" lip at the top installed on the inside. My gas tank locker vent is also stainless.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 09:00:53

Dan,

Here is another aid to getting a handle on mast raising without the Catalina trailer system.

http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/mrs.html

The page shows two sytems, one using a cheap small trailer winch mounted to one leg of the A frame, the other shows using a sheet winch.

The prime advantage of the small trailer winch is it places the operator in a position to handle the furler at the same time as the winch.

Edited by - on

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