Random thoughts - Spring Commissioning List

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Pgutierrez's picture
Pgutierrez
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Random thoughts - Spring Commissioning List

Starting my thoughts on 2017 spring commissioning.   My boat is on Lake Pepin, between Minnesota and Wisconsin.  
- I need to replace the 3/8" CDI furling sheet on my 2000 Catalina 36, Pente.  Is the correct length 70, 72 or 75'? What brand did you buy and why?

- Would appreciate recent SALES prices seen on VC 17.  I faithfully wax my hull before launching.  Thinking of using standard kitchen floor wax remover with a mop before washing and waxing.  Working a top down strategy, after waxing will then apply VC17 on the bottom.  Any special wax remover or will grocery store brand wax remover do it?   

Tip on VC17 application:  to minimize evaporation issues during application I dump the VC 17 & copper oxide in a heavy duty gallon jug (thoroughly rinsed out vinegar jug), cap well and shake.  Only pour out the amount per brushing and cap the jug EACH time.  Using this technique I only needed two quarts.

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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bakerha
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Peter - starting to think about the spring launch as well and you made me wonder about the condition of my furling line too. I only found one reference to line size and length on the site at:
https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/schaefer-roller-fu...
Not sure if any of that thread will help but may be worth a look. One post mentioned that the furler owners manual was part of the "Catalina Owners Manual" for their boat and it listed the recommended line size and length.
As far as vc17 prices - I found a decent price on boatersland.com ( no affiliation ) you might look at too.  There's a $5 rebate on two quarts again this year so don't forget that.  It's not the "Extra" - but I'm not finding that anywhere and I think it is discontinued.
We also wax our hull annually - (admirals job) 2 coats of Collinite Fleet Wax.  Pretty labor intensive - but it keeps her busy for a couple of days and it looks really good when she's done. Scafolding really helps with that task.  I have never stripped the wax (since the 1st year Buff Out) in the 7 years we've owned her but I did notice that it looked a little yellow in a few places.  Not that noticeable though. I touch up the real bad spots (usually near where the fenders sit) with the buffer and some glaze before the waxing starts. I would be interested in hearing if you find anything that does the job well.
I have never been able to cover our hull with less than 4 quarts of VC.  I use a method similar to yours but can never get it spread that thinly.  But I'll keep trying - VC17 ain't cheap!
We're only on our 2nd Catalina
 

_____________
Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP

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Pgutierrez
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Harold, I decided to switch bottom paint from VC 17 to West Marine's compatible equivalent in house bottom shield anti fouling paint:  
 https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--bottomshield-antifouling-pai...
at $99 / gallon vs $60 / quart for VC 17.
Regarding replacement furler line, since I have a CDI furler on my boat, I am sure n contact with them for their in house OEM replacement.  Waiting for the quote....they have been very attentive and asking good questions.  
Wax:  I "inherited" quite a few bottles of Collinite wax and have been pleased with how easy it goes on.   When you comment about using " some glaze before the waxing starts", please explain.
Thanks.

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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Pgutierrez
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CDI Furler line:  Original line is 3/8" X 65'.  Will be ordering 70' length - I remember a few times where I wished line was a few feet longer. . .
When I took off the lower winter cover (aka "skirt") was reminded about the nasty scratch in gel coat 8" above water line.  See picture.  Was a great day to sail last fall but an SOB wind coming out of the dock.   Another to do list item to check on.  I've got some research to do on that job as it has to be done b4 waxing...I ve got to do some research on that repair.
Thanks to all the have chimed in.  Tom Sokoloski and others:  thanks for the Maine Sail link.

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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Peter,
Below is a link to a post made by a former C36 owner, Rod Collins, AKA Maine Sail.  He is an extremely knowledgeable boat guy, and this post about Tips for a Great Buff Wax is one of his best.  I was skeptical, but followed his instructions and the results were spectacular.  Hope this helps.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/tips-for-a-great-buf...

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

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bakerha
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I agree with Tom - the MailSail procedure is what I used when we bought the boat 8 years ago. It has maintained very well with just the annual waxing and an occasional touch up with the buffer.  The Glaze is just a very fine polish that buffs up the areas that take the most abuse without taking off the gelcoat. (I use Mcguires #7 but there are many good products out there). Make sure to use a quality buffing pad, not a compounding pad if you do this too. 
Would be very interested in your experience with the West Marine bottom paint product.  I have never been pleased with the performance of the VC17 considering the cost and would like to try something else. I just don't want to have to strip the bottom to do that so I put up with what I have for now.

_____________
Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP

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bakerha
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Sorry - that's MaineSail - someday I'll learn to type and proofread!

_____________
Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP

down_shift
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Posts: 65

I follow MaineSail's procedure to the letter as well.  It gets easier each year.  What was NOT easy was painting the bootstrip last spring.  That was a lot of work, but happy with the results.
 

Russell Green
S/V "GoodwiII"  #759
1987 C36 MKI TR/WK M25XP
Moored: Deale, MD

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Replacement line for CDL jib furler:  i went with 70  feet, 3/8 " New England rope from dynamic sailor.com out of Minneapolis. Arrived in three days and had outstanding price. Perfect length with right amount of extra length to stuff in combing box. 
Waxing went well.  Big key for me:  give hull very sudsy wash use good quality boat soap before waxing.   Makes for one heck of an ibuprofen Saturday!  Two before starting, two with lunch, two mid afternoon, two before (with??) afternoon barley brew!

She's rigged and ready - Taking Pente out for first sail of the year this weekend.  Thanks to all for your input.

 

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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[quote=Pgutierrez]  Makes for one heck of an ibuprofen Saturday!  Two before starting, two with lunch, two mid afternoon, two before (with??) afternoon barley brew!
[/quote]

Ibuprofen, the true recreational drug of choice for those of us of a certain age

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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