Ok, this was a bit strange. Opened the cabinet above the head to remove some towels, they were soaking wet. The port, above the head, had not been leaking, so I looked a little harder. The port stanchion which is just outside this port, above the head has tubing which extends below the level of the deck. Outside, at the base of the tube, the weld had rusted/coroded and had a quarter inch hole in it which allowed water on the deck to travel down the tube and into the cabinetry.
Looking at the Catalina Direct website to price a stanchion I noticed that there is version that is called a "stanchion/vent".
There was nothing hooked up to the tube on my boat, though there is a lot of plumbing in and around that cabinet.
So, what would that vent be used for?
If it was ever used on my boat, it has been abandoned, have others done this?
Should I be looking for somethinng which is not vented, but should be?
I talked to a good stainless welding shop and because of "minimum charges etc." and the fact that the weld rusted out, I am probably better off to replace the stanchion....but....the vented version is a lot more money. So if it is not used and not needed or has been replaced by a through hull vent (I need to investigate), I would like to just get a regular deck stanchion, provided that the "hole pattern" matches up.
Anybody know any or all of the answers.
Oh ya, in the "sometimes blind luck triumphs over common sense" category, those towels were in a heavy plastic bag with the top open and all the water was in the bag with the towels: completely dry wood work in the cabinet.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
On the Mk II that stanchion is the vent for the holding tank. If your boat has a different holding tank vent, and if there is no tubing on the existing stanchion evidencing a need for a vent in that location, it seems to me you could use the one without a vent.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Just talked to tech support a Catalina Direct and he verified that that is indeed ment to be the holding tank vent but I'm pretty sure that I am vented just below the rub rail with a small through hull vent. I'll check.
I guess the point of venting through the stanchion is to get the gasses a little higher so as to not have them come in an open port (which they do if the wind is just right), but it is so rare that I have noticed any problem that I'm not sure it is worth the trouble to go back the other way.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
On a long distance race with 8 crew. We filled the holding tank and things came up thru this scandon and unto the deck. We couldn't figure out what the smell was. But then we figured it all out. Not sure if this is good or should be replaced.
[QUOTE=neilroach;13035]I am probably better off to replace the stanchion....but....the vented version is a lot more money.[/QUOTE]
Doesn't sound like anything that 5 inches of rigging tape wouldn't cure, but maybe that's just me.:o
Mike
Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA
Thanks Mike, I like your way of thinking.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
FYI, the the installation of a "below the rub rail" vent in substitution for the stanchion vent is a strongly recommended modification from Peggy Hall. It is regarded as an improvement to the performance of the holding tank.
Ideally, this change should also be accompanied by an enlargement of the vent hose diameter.
In my experience, the stanchion vent was not one of Catalina's better ideas.
Graham Mackey
SV Nostromo
1989 C36 908
Tall Rig/Wing Keel
Toronto, Canada
Does anyone have a photo of the modification of the vent below the rub rail? I too think it is a good idea - and I'd like to see it in practice.
Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886
Not sure about the Mk I, but for the Mk IIs it seems to me it's a solution looking for a problem. After nearly ten seasons I have had no problems with the stanchion vent. There are many more things on my To-Do list than worry about this issue.
As the original post questioned the use of this stanchion on a Mk I, I think we can safely say that if the MK I vents elsewhere, then there is no purpose of the vent on Neil's boat; ergo, a replacement with a non-vented stanchion would be appropriate.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
I had a leak from the deck in the same place, and from the same source. I, too, discovered mucho moisture in the cabinet in the head. In my case, the stanchion was leaking at the base. (I believe the seal had been broken when, while helping to rescue an injured passenger on a sailboat that had run aground at night (another story there, featuring a skipper, several young ladies with no sailing experience, and some partying), the skipper of the other boat rather violently grabbed my lifelines and pulled my boat alongside, which I think bent the vent/stanchion to the point the seal was messed up).
In any event, I removed the stanchion, cleaned the surfaces, and rebedded it, and the leak was solved.
You might consider whether the seal is also an issue with your leaking situation.
Good luck.
--Nelson Lee
Nelson Lee, "Stella," 2002 C36, hull 2069, Universal M35BC, berthed Sausalito, CA
[QUOTE=LCBrandt;13058]Not sure about the Mk I, but for the Mk IIs it seems to me it's a solution looking for a problem.[/QUOTE]
I agree, Larry. 12 years with my MK I (1.5?) and no problems so far. I'm happy that the vent points outboard. On my '86 Cat 36, the vent hole pointed right at the open port, so you definitely got a wake up call (splash) when the holding tank was full.:eek:
Mike
Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA
Well, as if I haven't wasted enough of everyone's time, here is my
solution(s).
-Ground out the little hole in the bottom of the stantion, as there didn't seem to bew widespread rust ofr corrosion, I just filled it with sealant.
-Pulled the stantion, and after verifying that the deck core was sound, I cleaned the mateing surfaces and re-bedded the stantion to the deck.
I'll watch to see if that did the trick, can't imagine that it didn't.
My holding tank has been vented through a vent just under the rub rail, and an oversized hose was used.
As always happens, all this messing with stanchions and lifelines dredged up some failing strands in the lifelines, so......new life lines....and what the hell.... new fittings.
Thanks to all for their answers and opinions.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
This stanchion vent has been a little source of comedy on our boat. If you happen to be a tall guy, standing at the head, happen to have the port window open, and your tank is full, and you give the sucker a few pumps ( the head that is) you may just get a little surprise through the port hole!
I think there are few life lessons there....
John
John Feleciano
Eagle #1006
Portland, Oregon
1989 C-36 mkI SR/WK M25XP