Living The Dream On A Cat 36, Help With Bimini And Oil Leak
Hello All,
I purchased my 1984 Catalina 36 with a Universal M-25 in June 2014. My punch list is progressing, slowly. I wish to share a few thoughts:
1.) I purchased two items from Harbor Freight, a rotary variable speed 7" buffer and a variable speed 6" dual action buffer. I used a wool pad on the 7" to apply 3M Heavy duty rubbing compound. I applied the wax/polish with the 6" using a foam pad. I used New Finish on the hull and Meguiare's cleaning wax on the top sides and cockpit. I believe the Meguiare's did a better job. The boat looks great!
2.) Sanded, bleached and varnished the teak. I Used Epifanes Gloss Clear. It turned out nice.
3.) I am in the process of replacing the 10 awg orange wire from the alternator B+ to the ammeter returning on the red 10 awg to the starter B. Many of you are aware Maine's simple fix is to jump the B+ to the B with 4 awg or bigger. I had a single set of trailer plugs wrapped in electrician's tape. The trailer plug was bad, bad and bad. I used Ancor heat shrink butt connectors to replace the trailer plug. The trailer plug was causing starting problems. I had hoped to replace the copper wire with tinned wire, however, I found it is impossible to push the wire through some areas in the hull. In the future, I hope to sacrifice the orange wire and use it to pull the tinned wire through the difficult hull areas.
4.) Today, I noticed the secondary fuel filter bracket was broken. It was ok when I replaced the filter this spring. I searched this site and found this is a common problem. Toad ( previously, Torrensen) has them for about $ 30.
5.) I have had a few deck leaks, including the port cap shroud. I used Maine's butyl tape and it works well.
QUESTION:
1.)The Universal M-25 leaks about 1/2 oz of oil per hour. It appears to be coming from the oil pan seal, dip stick seal and valve cover seal. Mostly, 4 bolts on the oil pan seal. I would appreciate your thoughts on stop leak products. I understand that there are opposing thoughts on just tightening the bolts. Maine can you help?
2.) I want to purchase a bimini top. I think it will have to be a short top, aft of the boom. I hope some Cat 36 owners will give me some direction.
STILL TO DO:
1.) Fix pin hole leaks in anchor locker, it is wetting my bed!
2.) Get the engine fan working.
3.) Install solenoid for glow plugs.
4.) Fuse battery.
Happy August All!
Nick
Hello All,
I purchased my 1984 Catalina 36 with a Universal M-25 in June 2014. My punch list is progressing, slowly. I wish to share a few thoughts:
1.) I purchased two items from Harbor Freight, a rotary variable speed 7" buffer and a variable speed 6" dual action buffer. I used a wool pad on the 7" to apply 3M Heavy duty rubbing compound. I applied the wax/polish with the 6" using a foam pad. I used New Finish on the hull and Meguiare's cleaning wax on the top sides and cockpit. I believe the Meguiare's did a better job. The boat looks great!
2.) Sanded, bleached and varnished the teak. I Used Epifanes Gloss Clear. It turned out nice.
3.) I am in the process of replacing the 10 awg orange wire from the alternator B+ to the ammeter returning on the red 10 awg to the starter B. Many of you are aware Maine's simple fix is to jump the B+ to the B with 4 awg or bigger. I had a single set of trailer plugs wrapped in electrician's tape. The trailer plug was bad, bad and bad. I used Ancor heat shrink butt connectors to replace the trailer plug. The trailer plug was causing starting problems. I had hoped to replace the copper wire with tinned wire, however, I found it is impossible to push the wire through some areas in the hull. In the future, I hope to sacrifice the orange wire and use it to pull the tinned wire through the difficult hull areas.
4.) Today, I noticed the secondary fuel filter bracket was broken. It was ok when I replaced the filter this spring. I searched this site and found this is a common problem. Toad ( previously, Torrensen) has them for about $ 30.
5.) I have had a few deck leaks, including the port cap shroud. I used Maine's butyl tape and it works well.
QUESTION:
1.)The Universal M-25 leaks about 1/2 oz of oil per hour. It appears to be coming from the oil pan seal, dip stick seal and valve cover seal. Mostly, 4 bolts on the oil pan seal. I would appreciate your thoughts on stop leak products. I understand that there are opposing thoughts on just tightening the bolts. Maine can you help?
2.) I want to purchase a bimini top. I think it will have to be a short top, aft of the boom. I hope some Cat 36 owners will give me some direction.
STILL TO DO:
1.) Fix pin hole leaks in anchor locker, it is wetting my bed!
2.) Get the engine fan working.
3.) Install solenoid for glow plugs.
4.) Fuse battery.
Happy August All!
Nick
