Recent addition to fight the sun, not gonna help much for performance but a Hugh addition on enjoy-ability
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I'm thinking of installing these latches as you have described. Is there enough clearance in the back so that they don't interfere with the cooler? It seems like there might be a depth issue. Thanks.I never thought I would get excited about a latch, but that happened today. I really should say two latches. Unless you've used the cooler on a C275, it is really not possible to understand my excitement. The locking system for the cooler drawer is one of the most Mickey Mouse'd items I've seen a manufacturer do on a sailboat. Especially, an $80k sailboat. Catalina drilled a hole in one side of the cabinet and you're suppose to slide a 1/4" pin from the adjacent cabinet to lock the cooler from sliding open as you sail. If the cooler is full, it does nothing to prevent the other end from trying to torque out a bit while on starboard tack.
After three years, I had enough and looked for a solution. Found two Southco M1-63-8 latches on ebay for $58 (including shipping) and another $4 for screws: (4) 5mm x 14mm, (2) #12 x 1/2", (2) #12 x 1". Drilled (2) two inch holes in the front of the cabinet, carefully drilled holes for the keeper, clipped the tips of the #12 screws so they don't come through the side of the cabinets and added a spacer on the right side. Now I have a cooler drawer that works like you would expect a drawer to work on a sailboat. This is a mod that was well worth it and is exactly what Catalina should have done in the first place. I have a 32 nm first sail of the year in two weeks and I expect to be on starboard the whole way, so that should be a good test for the 187 lb rated latches.
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Thanks for the quick response. I will heed your advice about measuring for sure!No problems with the cooler because the rounded edges of the cooler increase the depth right where the latches go. But before you drill for the latches, measure, measure, measure, because you don't want to mess that one up.
I'll be up to the boat in about a month and can take pictures of the latches and the cooler from the top.
Thank you. I did install the latches a few weeks ago and they work perfect. Much appreciated.This is from the top side while holding open the latch. Have at least 1/2" clearance.
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Not sure if any one else had this problem but I had changed the Guts of my Head last year after I was experiencing the starboard tack issue Cody mentioned in his post from year ago. That didn't work so I figured I'd just toss the head and buy a new one. After getting it ready to install I noticed the Instructions call for a vented loop in the toilet discharge to correct this problem. So back to the store I went to get the parts for the Vented loop lets see if that solves the problem. Of course that means Catalina didn't install the head according the manufacture instructions. Are all boats delivered with this shortfall?My two biggest concerns with the stock holding tank is that a good starboard tack heal could cause backflowing through a leaky toilet pump seal
Oops, the above was meant as a reply to this post. Guess I can't delete, sorry about the double post.Has anyone replaced their Whale Flipper faucet in the head or galley? The head faucet in my boat no longer works. Looks like a simple removal / replacement, but the retaining ring/nut does not budge. Has anyone done this replacement and have a recommended method for removing the retaining ring?
That's all it needed? Nice. I'll put it in a bucket at home and see if it'll draw water when I reassemble it.After thorough cleaning and reassembly it seems to work ok.