Finally beginning to feel like I'm getting the boat about the way I want for cruising. Sometime I think the little jobs make a bigger overall impact than the big ones. I replumbed the entire black water system (big job), previously the head contents either went overboard or into the holding tank. I added a pump and move the "Y" and now every thing always goes into the head, and when we are in Canada I can empty the holding tank overboard - much more functional arrangement for the type of sailing we do. The small jobs -
1) install wireless relay on the windlass so I can retrieve or drop the hook from the helm
2) hung up a 20x30 canvas photo from a trip to Australia
3) re-vamp the nav station, remove an old chart plotter, move the VHF to the bulkhead, and put a charging station for the handheld VHF.
4) started sanding, cutting, buffing, waxing the hull (big job).
5) best of all fabricate and install a simple stainless & maple "lime" catcher behind the stove.
On our last trip up the the San Juans - The admiral informed me the limes went missing, she check the frig twice - but no limes for the gin & tonics. While cleaning up back in Everett, we found the offending limes were found behind the stove. This lime catcher fits springs against the outside of the stove on the either side - then a chunk of maple from the shop pushes against the cabinet behind the stove. It pulls right out if we need the stove to gimbal, but when installed prevents chopped items and things unloaded from the frig from getting lost behind the stove. The area that acts as the "spring" allows the cutting board to fit normally. Best of all all the admiral is thrilled - you can see it in the photo's below (you can see one of the offending limes on the counter).
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
Nice going! Wireless relay on the windlass sounds like a fun project. But I don't have a windlass ;-)
Yes in the 3 years we've owned "Freestyle", I've pretty much redone every electric/electronic/mechanical system on the boat, from complete rewire, to new fuel tank, water heater, etc etc. (up & down the mast with MastMate prob. 30 times!)
Having run out of projects for the moment, like you I'm leaning to wet sand, compound & polish the 30 year old gel coat, with the boat IN the water up at Shelter Bay (La Conner). Fun fun... sure beats working for a living ;-)
Paul & Ann -
"Freestyle" -
1985 C36 #454 -
North Puget Sound, WA
Thanks both - I’m a newbie; we just bought our MK1 in early September and have tried to get as much time on the water as is possible in - but alas; it’s fall on Lake Superior and she was hauled last week :-(
However, that means the start of new adventures in the hard; and this week I too am going after 20+ years of oxidized hull. Would love to compare notes on products, methods, etc. One thing I know for sure is that there is no such thing as “the only you can” (in sailboat maintenance) and Inlove spending $0 on solid advice.
My plan; DeWalt buffer ($160 on evil Amazon), wool pads (don’t break down), 3M Perfect-it compound (shop before you buy - I’ve found $39-$85 price range), plank and ladders with plank jacks - probably my most important pieces as I can’t work overhead anymore.
we have plenty of work to do, but truly love the boat. Love this site too - we are learning so much from it!
Erik
Erik Felt
Catalina 36 MKI, #399 SV Kria
Port Superior Marina
Bayfield, WI
Depending how oxidized it is, you may have to start with 1000 grit wer&dry and move up to 1200,1400 &1600 to remove all the oxidation.
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
"...and when we are in Canada I can empty the holding tank overboard..." Leslie!!! Where did you get this idea? Are you talking about US vs. Canadian laws for dumping into the Pacific? In Canadian fresh water the law is that your "Y" connector must be locked (with an actual lock!) in the holding tank only position. No black water is allowed to be pumped into our fresh water Great Lakes. Canadian Coast Gaurd or Marine Police will fine anyone caught with the "Y" open to the lakes. In prep for taking vessels down to the Caribbean, Canadians do install the "Y" for pumping out into the ocean, but it gets locked up again upon return to the Great Lakes.
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada
I doubt this boat will ever see the Great Lakes. Despite it recently changing to be legal to proscribed to dump in Gulf Islands and north, the facilities to pump out are just non existent most places. I only pump out when I'm in a big channel or straight. The City of Victoria continues to pump significant quantity of sewage into the straights.
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore