Info Needed

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Devian

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Jan 6, 2008
32
-Columbia 28 mk something or other Pier 39, San Francisco
So today I did some more thorough digging through my 1969 Columbia 28'. I found what looks like an incredibly jurasic looking battery in a compartment on the port-side stern. I didn't go too much further at that point. I wanted to do some reading first. Unfortunately I've yet to find anything useful, so I decided to turn to you guys and gals... Any suggested resources? Any advice? Know anyone who know 1969 Columbia 28's? Any advice welcome...
 
Jan 4, 2006
283
West Coast
Unclear

Devian, it's unclear to me what you are asking. You found a battery. What do you want to know?
 

Devian

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Jan 6, 2008
32
-Columbia 28 mk something or other Pier 39, San Francisco
Re: Unclear

It looks like and old corroded battery. Thing is, I don't actually know much about boats. I'm mechanically inclined but uneducated in this aspect. I think its all original though. What I'm hoping for is a manual of sorts of what a Columbia 28' came with originally. I'm just hoping to read up on my boat to see what I'm dealing with and hopefully get this boat back into shape.

I have a goal to sail it around the Faralon Islands in the spring. I need it running right.
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
If you suspect the old battery is bad, which it probably is, take it out and go to a place that sells marine deep cycle batteries and get a new one the same size.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,976
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Have you traced the cables?

It sounds like what you are asking is "what is this battery for?" Am I right? If so , you can trace the wires and see what it is hooked up to. You may be surprised with some of the older boats. I know a guy with an older Pearson 31 that his boat is wired up all kinds of different ways. Makes me appreciate my newer boat.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,695
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Even if you had the original wiring diagrams for this boat, they should be considered meaningless as you don't have any idea what has been done throughout it's history.
Forget the original design and look for yourself to determine what you presently have. Once you can describe it, or even better if you can include the current wiring scheme diagram you make, there are many knowledgeable folks here who will gladly give you advice and assistance on how to ensure it is good or what you might want to do to improve it.
 
Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
Devian, first you came to the right place.
If you can take some photos in the different areas you want to know about it would help.
As far as a manual, I will be hard to locate that unless you find some Columbia owners.
There are some photos and maybe specs on three Columbia 28's on the Sailing Texas site; http://www.sailingtexas.com/cboats99columbia.html
Actually I just googled 'Columbia 28 Sailboats'...there is a boatload, (Pun intended) of info on them.
Jack
 
Jun 9, 2008
1,850
- -- -Bayfield
It probably is a pretty simple electrical system that runs cabin and running/navigation lights and a bilge pump (if electric). Perhaps you have a knot meter or depthsounder or a light in a compass. If it is an inboard engine, then that too, but usually there are two batteries - one for the above uses (deep cycle which might not have been available when the boat was new) and a starting battery both connected with some sort of battery switch separate from a panel of switches to turn on lights, etc.
Probably if you install a new battery as suggested earlier, you can flick some switches and stuff will start to glow.
 
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