Catalina 36 Exhaust Pipe

[Dick Keenan]

The exhaust "Y" on my 83 C36 finally gave out and I have a question about replacement.It was an ordeal getting the thing out of the tiny space Catalina allowed for it. Even had to remove motor mounts and pull the engine forward about three inches to get it disconnected. The pipe is a curious twisting of mix-and-match black pipe (made for use in gas lines) from the engine to the "Y" where the water gets mixed in. It was wrapped in insulating fiberglass cloth, and stuffed into the small area next to the heat exchanger, with all kinds of wood on three sides of it. Not the way I would have designed it.Has anyone else had to deal with this in light of the obvious risks of having all that heat so close to the wood? It's worked fine for 17 years but now that I see how it's been installed it scares me. Maybe someone's found a better way to do it?

 

[Gary Jensen]

Exhaust elbo change

Dick, I changed my "mixing elbo" on my 36 two years ago. You should remove your ladder, then your engine cover THEN the teak wall in front of the mixing elbo. The mixing elbo is made up of galvanized pipe with a heat shield and a fireproof wrapping (much like aspestos). If you remove it that way you will find the mixing elbo accessible.The part can be ordered from Catalina but I would have Sea Power, (right there in Alameda) make up a new one. Just bring in your old part and they can copy the offset that you need. They now make it out of STAINLESS, which Catalina should have done in the first place. I would bolt everything (engine) back in place and access it the way I described.I too am in Alameda, Email me and I'll give you more scoop on the details....good luck Gary sail1752@aol.com

 

[Gary Jensen]

Exhaust elbo follow up

Dick, Since you are a 36 catalina owner and live in the Bay Area you should join fleet 9. The mixing elbo solution that I emailed you is a result of my affiliation with the group. Even though I have moved up to the 380, I remain loyal to the people in fleet 9, They are able to solve problems specific to the 36 model, plus have cruises, newsletters etc.. AND most of them have berths in Alameda!!!!! email me for the info. Regards, Gary SAIL1752@aol.com

 

[Russ Williams]

C36 mixing elbow replacement

Wow- I replaced the elbow on my 84 C36 in April of this year and mine was much easier than you describe. I just removed the ladder and engine cover and the cover in the aft cabin and had plenty of room to do the job. I'd actually call it an easy job. Got my replacement elbow from a local dealer who said it was a Onan part that would fit just fine. 100+ hours later It's doing a great job.RussS/V Four SailC36 #206

 

[Tom Soko]

Exhaust Elbow

Dick,I replaced the exhausst elbow on my 36 last spring. Very important to do so ASAP because of exhaust gases escaping into the cabin. One of the other responses was right on target about removing the small shelf in the aft cabin that covers the area behind the engine. MUCH easier than removing the whole wall and/or engine. I replaced the screws with ones that attach from the outside, rather than the inside. Easy to take out again if need to. I would also recommend buying the "single-hump" hose from Catalina. They are the only source I've found for it. The SS exhaust riser (Y) was also bought from them for a very reasonable price, fit exactly, and came pre-wrapped with new fiberglass insulating cloth. Only other part needed was a new gasket from Westerbeke. Good Luck.Tom.