I noticed the same thing this year. This is my first year with our 1995 C36 MKII. I've noticed on engine start up that moisture appears in the gage lenses. My guess is that moisture collects inside the enclosure (Back of control panel) then the lights behind the gages cause entrapped moisture within the box or gage to heat up and it condenses on the cooler gage lens. I noticed that I do not have much of an environmental barrier between the panel and the enclosure. I'm going to try to improve that this year then maybe stick a bag of rice in the cavity to see if it causes the moisture to disappear. I'll be interested to see what thoughts others have.
v/r
Sean
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Captain Sean Homeport - Bethel Point, Maine Hull #1389
Sam, I tried big zip lock with bag rice earlier this summer, taping closed to minimize / prevent outside moisture from coming in. Left on for more than 7 days. No luck. No gutsy enough to open the clam shell and try taking off the lenses. Not frustrated enough by this to hire pro to take care off. Hope one of the veteran gurus of Cat 36 association can give us guidance. Peter
(yup, grain rice, not fried, boiled rice, brown rice, jasmine rice or Minute Rice).
Same problem- seems to be common. We have a wheel/pedestal cover- it helps, but of no use when using the boat in the rain. I tried a silicone tape on top of the gasket where the two halves meet. It didn't work, but gave me a clew that the moisture is probably entering from the trim rings around the gage lenses. Those appear to be (partially) glued with some very messy black adhesive. My guess is that the glue is not doing it's job.
Might be another fix. Boat trailer light fogging used to be a big issue on the "sealed"lights after a boat launch. The last trailer we used had no fogging- the bottom of the lights were completely open allowing water to enter (but an air pocket prevented the bulb from getting wet)- and air circulated to keep moisture out. Maybe a whole in the bottom of the gage cluster would do the same
I noticed the same thing this year. This is my first year with our 1995 C36 MKII. I've noticed on engine start up that moisture appears in the gage lenses. My guess is that moisture collects inside the enclosure (Back of control panel) then the lights behind the gages cause entrapped moisture within the box or gage to heat up and it condenses on the cooler gage lens. I noticed that I do not have much of an environmental barrier between the panel and the enclosure. I'm going to try to improve that this year then maybe stick a bag of rice in the cavity to see if it causes the moisture to disappear. I'll be interested to see what thoughts others have.
v/r
Sean
Captain Sean
Homeport - Bethel Point, Maine
Hull #1389
Sam, I tried big zip lock with bag rice earlier this summer, taping closed to minimize / prevent outside moisture from coming in. Left on for more than 7 days. No luck. No gutsy enough to open the clam shell and try taking off the lenses. Not frustrated enough by this to hire pro to take care off. Hope one of the veteran gurus of Cat 36 association can give us guidance. Peter
(yup, grain rice, not fried, boiled rice, brown rice, jasmine rice or Minute Rice).
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
Same problem- seems to be common. We have a wheel/pedestal cover- it helps, but of no use when using the boat in the rain. I tried a silicone tape on top of the gasket where the two halves meet. It didn't work, but gave me a clew that the moisture is probably entering from the trim rings around the gage lenses. Those appear to be (partially) glued with some very messy black adhesive. My guess is that the glue is not doing it's job.
Might be another fix. Boat trailer light fogging used to be a big issue on the "sealed"lights after a boat launch. The last trailer we used had no fogging- the bottom of the lights were completely open allowing water to enter (but an air pocket prevented the bulb from getting wet)- and air circulated to keep moisture out. Maybe a whole in the bottom of the gage cluster would do the same
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Friend of mine had the same problem on his C38.... Catalina sent him new guages I believe. Anyone try contacting Catalina?
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ