My first sailboat - leaking chainplate; other questions

[Jimski]

I have just closed on my first sailboat - a 1986 C30. I had a survey done and that turned up a few things that need to be addressed, but nothing major. Here's my newbie questions:

1. The chain plates have been replaced within the last 4 years but the starboard chain plate leaks. What is the procedure for resealing the chain plate?

2. The head is set to dump overboard. Besides being illegal in my area, its very rude. How to I switch to the holding tank?

3. The survey says its a tall rig. Basis for that conclusion was it has the bow sprit. Short of measuring the mast, is there any way to verify this?

4. This model has an autopilot. It worked well during the sea trial, but after disengaging the autopilot, the wheel would occasionally stick as if the autopilot were still engaged.

5. Is A/C condensation supposed to drain into the bilge?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[The Garbone]

On the chainplates the uppers should have a cover plate you can just take some screws out of and put butyl tape under then replace the cover, easy. On the lower shrouds what do you have. The newer upgrades have a ubolt that will need to be undone below deck and then you can lift them and put butyl under the plates.

Make sure the leaks are indeed from the plates. They may be from around coach top hatches or the mast step, traveling down the liner and exiting at the plates.



If the forestay terminates at the far end of the bowsprint and you have a chain bobstay it is a tall rig. My standard rig has a bowsprint that has a hole in it were the forestay terminates at the bow.


On the head does it have a holding tank? Are you just talking about a y diverted valve setting? My 78' came with a defunct treatment system and I had to remove it and install a holding tank I bought from Catalina Direct.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I have just closed on my first sailboat - a 1986 C30. I had a survey done and that turned up a few things that need to be addressed, but nothing major.

Congrats! Hope you enjoy her.

Here's my newbie questions:

1. The chain plates have been replaced within the last 4 years but the starboard chain plate leaks. What is the procedure for resealing the chain plate?

Depending on the setup there are 3 materials you should consider: butyl tape; polysulfide sealant; polyurethane sealant. You should almost never use silicone on a boat and when you do use silicone it should be marine grade. Most likely your best choices are butyl tape and polysulfide.

For an overview of how to use butyl tape read this article from Compass Marine. The owner of Compass Marine also posts here under the name Maine Sail. Read his forum section often, it is a wealth of knowledge. If you are going to use butyl tape, buy the Bed-It Butyl Tape from him.

For polysulfide sealant, something like the Boatlife or Sikaflex are good products. Both have different grade levels depending on the application.

For how to do the work, the Catalina 34 International Association has a great techwiki. Stu Jackson posts here often and is secretary for that association. This is another great source of info that you should reference often. Most of the information will translate to your boat. Here is a wiki on chain plates.

2. The head is set to dump overboard. Besides being illegal in my area, its very rude. How to I switch to the holding tank?

Lots of ways to go here. A lot of people have been going the Nature's Head or other composting head route.

For holding tank advice, buy Peggy Hall's book and read her stuff here by searching her name.

Don Casey (another well known advice giver on boats) did a good article outlining some options for Boat US.

The C34IA Techwiki has some good info too.

3. The survey says its a tall rig. Basis for that conclusion was it has the bow sprit. Short of measuring the mast, is there any way to verify this?

This is a perfect question for the Catalina 30 International Association. One of the biggest benefits of buying a Catalina is they have the strongest owner associations out there. These groups are a wealth of knowledge. Join your owner's association and get the Mainsheet Magazine, published quarterly. Well worth the $30 a year.

4. This model has an autopilot. It worked well during the sea trial, but after disengaging the autopilot, the wheel would occasionally stick as if the autopilot were still engaged.

Are you releasing the brake (Edson pedestal brake that you turn) and the disengaging lever on the autopilot (if it has one, the manufacturer and model of the autopilot would tell us more).

5. Is A/C condensation supposed to drain into the bilge?

This can be a typical installation. AC units are typically installed after manufacturing so it all depends on who installed it and how they did it.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse
s/v Smitty

 

[Jackdaw]

3. The survey says its a tall rig. Basis for that conclusion was it has the bow sprit. Short of measuring the mast, is there any way to verify this?

Most but not all C30TRs had sprits. Most, but not all.

Measure your mainsails LUFF. If it is UNDER 35.0 feet, its a regular rig. Longer (like 36.5) its a tall rig.

 

[Jimski]

Thanks for the replies. The chain plate seal is most pressing - after a VERY hard rain water was pooling on the top of the locker. It had not been leaking much. there were no stains on the bulkhead.

Tall Rig - measuring is what I was hoping to not have to do. Wouldn't really care but it affects my PHRF rating.
Jim

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. The chain plates have been replaced within the last 4 years but the starboard chain plate leaks. What is the procedure for resealing the chain plate?

Jim, congratulations on your new boat.

Chainplates: here are ours, similar, though not identical, to yours. Chainplates need to be considered part of REGULAR maintenance.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7265.0.html

For your head, do you have a holding tank? Should be there unless the PO took it out. There should be valving to allow choosing between overboard discharge and using the tank.

What engine do you have?

 

[Jimski]

Chain plate doesn't look too hard. That's high on the list.
There are some weird rigging issues that need to be resolved - jib won't go all the way up. The jib sheets don't reach the winches. Main sheet rigging is missing a block and is cleated at the traveller rather than the top winch. That means a 4-1 purchase rather than 6-1.

The engine is a Universal M-18 (14 hp). Seems like enough power - she will do 6 knots at 2800 rpm.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Some photos might help for the sail and running rigging issue.

 

[mortyd]

didn't your surveyor notice these rigging disasters during his sea trial?

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Before we blame the surveyor some more info is needed. Might just be rookie rigging mistakes.

 

[mortyd]

yeah, maybe this stuff got unrigged after the sea trial.