Checking the Oil Dipstick

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andreshs1's picture
andreshs1
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Checking the Oil Dipstick

Hi there

I check the oil dipstick each time I get in the boat, but there must be an easier way than removing the stairs and front cover or the back (astern cabin) one.

do you guys have any better method??

regards
Andres

Andres & Arantzazu
S/V "Carpe Diem"
Hull: 1773
1999 C36 mkII
Hong Kong
http://www.abclubhk.com/

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

Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada

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deising
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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.

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

diggerlarue
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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.

Stephen Cameron
2001 Catalina 36 MKII hull#2012
Tall Rig Fin Keel
Vancouver, BC

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andreshs1
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Yeap, the little door is a bit of a pain, I have been considering extending the size....

Andres & Arantzazu
S/V "Carpe Diem"
Hull: 1773
1999 C36 mkII
Hong Kong
http://www.abclubhk.com/

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Steve Frost
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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.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

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andreshs1
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Hi Steve

point taken

I was just checking to see if any of the old wolfs had any illuminating revelation for the newbie....apart from the implications of a lousy maintenance

regards
Andres

Andres & Arantzazu
S/V "Carpe Diem"
Hull: 1773
1999 C36 mkII
Hong Kong
http://www.abclubhk.com/

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deising
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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.

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

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Steve Frost
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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.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

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andreshs1
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yes

I agree, I love the design and the boat, although there are a few things that could be improved.
I am starting by adding additional bilge pumps with no return valves, then a TV for the kids and then I want to start my way through the large number of great upgrades detailed in the forum.

Andres & Arantzazu
S/V "Carpe Diem"
Hull: 1773
1999 C36 mkII
Hong Kong
http://www.abclubhk.com/

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deising
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Posts: 1351

[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.

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

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Chachere
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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...

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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plaineolde
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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]

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

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

Looks like a great job, Gary!

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

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plaineolde
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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.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

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Chachere
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Posts: 826

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?

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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