I am attempting to move my engine instruments to the cockpit coaming. I purchased the engine instrument pod from Catalina Direct with the angled face. My coaming on my Catalina 36 (Hull 496, year 1985) has the double angled face. The problem is that the coaming is not high enough to accomodate the new instrument pod. I have only 8 inches to 9 inches of space on my coaming from the slight "knuckle" below the coaming to the very top of the coaming. The angled instrument pod is 9 3/8" high. If I match the angle of the pod to the angle of the coaming, the instrument pod extends 1.25" or more below the knuckle.
Has anyone had this problem before? I've seen posts that indicate the instrument pod may need work and cutting to fit, but I am not sure what others have done. It appears that the flat instrument pod would fit, since it is only 8" high, but I definitely have the angled face.
Thanks
Bill
See attached picture shows the opening size needed for the angled pod, as you can see the hole takes up nearly the entire coaming, leaving no room for the flanges of the pod.
Howard ("Mike") Cann
KristinB
Northport, MI
1985 Catalina 36 Hull #496 Tall Rig M25
I'm thinking you need to move it a bit aft and parallel with the top of the coming.. I actually think it goes closer to pump as well. It's neat how you store your boat upside down :)
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
We've been interested in making this mod on our boat as well. I compared the dimensions of the Catalina Direct angled pod (on their website) --- including the angle itself -- to the area on the combing, and it didn't actually seem to be correct for boats of our vintage (ours is the same year and just 30 hull numbers older than that of the O.P.). I called up Catalina Direct last year and spoke with Lowell to verify the dimensions (gave him the measurements on our boat), and he confessed he didn't have an answer.
Bottom line, I concluded the CD pod wouldn't actually fit a C36 Mk I, and it would probably be better to fabricate something else (perhaps even just recycle the existing pod and add some filler pieces where needed to account for the crease in the combing). As a consequence, its a project that's moved down my list for now.... I'd be very interested if you do manage to make the CD pod work for you, and if so, please post pictures!
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
Thanks to all for the input. I agree that it looks very unlikely that the angled unit will fit. I did consider that the existing instrument housing might be adapted to work. I will advise my solution when I have one. I might even post a photo if I can get it right side up!
Thanks
Bill
Like most MK1 early boat owners - I didn't like the position of the instruments, I have to get on my knees to see the temp gauge - no oil pressure or volts (but disabled amps). I took a different direction than moving the console -- I purchased a RS11 from noland engineering - and now can monitor water temp, oil pressure, rpm, fuel from instruments at the helm. When not motoring the instruments can display wind/depth.... works great and less work.
Les
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
I did both, move the pod and purchased an AlbaCombi analog to NMEA2000 converter. For the Pod, I located it as high as possible and created a lower shim out of starboard to secure the lower pod flange. I am not at my boat so can't send pictures but will try later. Additionally, I relocated it to the starboard side. In the whole that was left by the old pod, I fitted an outdoor shower which I have been meaning to install for years.
As mentioned, I also installed an AlbaCombi analog to digital converter. I have not exhausted the inputs yet but items such as RPM, Temps, Voltages (house and starting battery), Amps, and tank levels are all now displayed on any item on my Raymarine network.
Matthew Schubert
S/V Mary Lynne #436
Annapolis/Newport
1985 C-36 M25XPB
Thanks for the info. Did you use the angled instrument tray when you managed to fit it to your boat, or did you use the flat tray?
Bill
Angled
Matthew Schubert
S/V Mary Lynne #436
Annapolis/Newport
1985 C-36 M25XPB
I have catalina 36 hull 550 and recently moved the panel. I reused the old box and installed it on the port side as shown (hopefully) in the attached pic. I faired the old box into the coamng with Dow 4200 and added a rain shield on a hinge. I was able to crawl into the port storage locker to make the connections as the wiring needs to be lengthened.