Easier way: Don't check the oil every single time you go to the boat?

Your boat is very close to mine in hull number. I have a little door near the sole just inside the aft cabin which allows you to get on your knees and check the oil. It is a pain, but often better than removing the entire ladder and engine cover.

Since I have to lift the aft cabin cushion to open the seacock, I simply slide the small aft engine cover back and the dipstick for a M35BC is on the starboard side just forward of the heat exchanger. Easier to get to from that angle than the little door.

Do it the Blonde way, just wait for the little oil light thingy to come on.
Very easy.
Very expensive.

Advise from a guy who ran his engine with no water temp gauge or alarm and paid the price.

There are many things I like about the design and layout of our C36, but I yearn for a simple fold-up engine cover/ladder like you find in many other boats.

I agree access could be easier. A hinged door adjacent to the dip stick, preferably one that incorporates a fire exstinguisher port as well would be great. As technical editor I will eagerly await submissions about this modification.

[QUOTE=Steve Frost;18171]I agree access could be easier. A hinged door adjacent to the dip stick... [/QUOTE]

Steve, my MK II 1999 model has just that door of which you speak, but it still isn't easy - just easier than removing the ladder and engine cover.

BTW, I assume this is a Catalina standard from some hull number forward. It sure doesn't look owner-added.

Take a look at this post from a couple of years ago.
(And a plug for using the search function here - there is a lot of good stuff in the archives)
[url]http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562http://www.c36ia.com/for...

not to pat myself on the back:rolleyes:, but I modified my engine cover a few years ago, and I can check the oil easily through the lid. I didn't hinge the ladder, but I guess I really should, that would make it even easier. As it is, I just lift the ladder up, slide it into the cockpit, lift the lid and have access to both the top and front of the engine. It was probably the most worthwhile mod I've made to the boat, and one of the cheapest (if you exclude the sound deadening material).

[url]http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562[/url]

Matthew just gave you 'props' in the previous post with a link to your pics and text.

Looks like a great job, Gary!

sorry, must have posted while I was clumsily using the search function to find it. He must be better at it than I am; took me awhile.

It was easy, Plaineolde; I just did a search for "most worthwhile mod" ...;)

I know I'm somewhat hijacking this conversation, but it does occur to me that it might help consolidate the knowledge base if the site had a prominent reminder to try running a search in the forum before starting a new thread; and/or checking the archive list (I myself only recently noticed that little button at the bottom right of the page). We seem to get lots of threads repeatedly generated on the same subject, perhaps only a few months apart.

Same with the reminder to add a signature (and, while I'm doing it, not hijacking threads!)
Perhaps there could be a "best practices" reminder/guide posted somewhere for using the forum? Or add this to the "new member" section?