Replacing deck caps for fuel/water intake

[D Hardman]

For a 1987 Catalina 30 MKII:
I would like some input concerning my existing plastic caps for my intake (fuel/waste and waterX2) which have faded and cracked. Can I replace just the caps with stainless or plated using the existing intakes and threaded valves? If so, where would you suggest I purchase or inquire about these new caps? Or do I require a new kit for each, having to unscrew, remove and install an entirely new intake for each?
Thanks for your time,
Derek

 

[dparilla]

Ebay is your friend

Check ebay. They have all different colors and types for whatever fluid you are filling. My boat had a gas labeled cap in a diesel ring (I use diesel). So I changed it for a green diesel cap for about 8 bucks with free shipping.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

I live in Tampa and the Catalina plant is about 20 min away. They have a wide assortment of these caps (thinking all standard) that are just in piles. They are very negotiable to this point and if you know what you want I can get them for you. S/S with fluid type on cap, plastic with the same type of writing. I could even attempt to screw the S/S into the plastic and advise on outcome. Let me know? Or here is their number 727-544-6681 ask for the parts department (Ken).

 

[Bob4203]

I had the same issue on the fading, but I bought replacement caps (plastic) at CatalinaDirect. They sell the red, blue and black replacement caps. After a year or two these colors faded as well, so my next option was to buy plastic coating paint at Home Depot, which matches the blue water cap color. These have held up okay so far. The plastic cap has yet to crack or warp so its doing its thing.

Whatever you get the color will fade overtime' its just living with it. The stainless replacements are expensive and sooner or later bound to roll off the deck if that retaining chain ever fails.

Jeff might have the right idea..............

Bob
'88 Mark II
Breezin II

 

[mortyd]

buy from catalina yachts, DO NOT buy from catalina direct. the three caps i bought from catalina direct faded to colorless in weeks, which is how i found out that catalina direct had no connection with catalina yachts, and who knows where their parts come from.

 

[mortyd]

also, not true about inevitable fading. the caps i finally bought from catalina yachts - red, blue and black - have not faded in six years, nor have they cracked like the ones from catalina direct.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The stainless replacements are expensive and sooner or later bound to roll off the deck if that retaining chain ever fails.

Bob, the trick is to get rid of those darned chains. I take those chains OFF every deck cap I use, and place the caps into the cockpit whenever I use one.

 

[mortyd]

the question is why the chains are put there. the manufacturers are not in business of putting useless extra parts on their products, are they? were there once full lengths of chain long detached provived on new boats?

 

[mortyd]

also, imho, our winch handle operated caps are far superior to the keys used on other boats; not only are they more easliy used but it's much harder to misplace a winch handle than a cap key. and, NEVER TAKE THE FUEL AND WASTE CAPS OFF AT THE SAME TIME, or you may drive yourself nuts trying to remember which was which.

 

[Bob4203]

"Bob, the trick is to get rid of those darned chains. I take those chains OFF every deck cap I use, and place the caps into the cockpit whenever I use one".

Stu..............no big issue with the caps near the cockpit (waste pump out and fuel). Its those two caps (blue) on the starboard forward deck for the water tanks that could easily fall off! At least on the Cat. 30. I know I have had a few go over through the years.

Plastic caps are cheap and good replacements for any stainless cap.

Bob
'88 MarK II

 

[mortyd]

bob, i make sure to put the cap in my pocket for that very reason. happily, the only cap to go overboard was an inferior catalina direct faded blue one, but it did leave me with a hole in the deck before i learned to keep spares aboard. that is also why i'm asking if the chains came full length from catalina.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Stu is 100% right about those damn chains!

I still haven't replaced mine but they did mention it in my survey. I guess that I should go ahead and do this. The ones I have work so it doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I know what is what!

 

[mortyd]

sorry, but i'm still confused. when i got my boat the caps had very short lengths of chain hanging from them. were these chains once longer and attached inside the various tanks? i can't imagine why else these short chains were attached to the caps.

 

[Stu Jackson]

mortyd, either of two things happened

1 - I don't know what "short" is, like how long is a piece of string?

2 - the chains are usually connected just inside the filler caps

Perhaps, with 1, your chains broke, which would make 'em short.

That's why I never use them.

And for those of you with Catalinas, this has been written up so many times in Mainsheet magazine, for different associations, that it surprises me that it still comes up, regularly.

Why chance losing one?

 

[D Hardman]

Thanks to all for your responses...Bob, Stu and Mortyd good tips!

 

[mortyd]

stu, the chain hanging from inside the cap was about three inches long - i'm not near the boat so i can't be exact - and i have no idea how long it might have once been or where it might have been connected. also, i've replaced the caps and none had chains with them.

 

[fox islander]

I bought the Catalina Direct caps also. The black and red caps seem OK, but the blue ones faded in literally 3 months. At $18 ea....not cheap either. Live and learn.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

So, as I promised I went over to Catalina in Largo and tried screwing the metal caps (male) into the plastic installed piece (female). No Luck! They dont match up! I believe the only resolve would to be to replace with the metal ones if thats your remedy for fading. Let me know if you need anything else.