I purchased a 1974 catalina 27 that has been neglected for several years. I am trying to upgrade and activate a lot of the electrical systems. Where can I fnd basic engine and house wiring diagrams? I am running a Westerbeke diesel.
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What don’t work?
Hey Jim, you do have good taste in sailing boats! So, what don’t work? For the most part, the older boats like ours have had the wiring fiddled with so many times, there’s little original stuff left. You can get the owner’s manual from Catalina Direct, (http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm) just keep in mind, your boat has most likely had a lot of gear changed out, usually by duffers like us. A great source is Catalina 27 Association http://www.catalina27.org/ they have sections of manuals as well as experienced members. This guy has stuff on his site dealing with battery wiring and the like. http://www.ariasails.com/ray.html These people also have a very good page on resurrecting Catalinas. http://www.blumhorst.com/catalina27/catalinahomepage.htm Actually, if you start at the fuse & switch box, it’s fairly easy to replace or upgrade wiring one item at a time. Mostly, you’ll find your problems are more at either end as opposed to actual wiring. Later, eh! Ferg
Hey Jim, you do have good taste in sailing boats! So, what don’t work? For the most part, the older boats like ours have had the wiring fiddled with so many times, there’s little original stuff left. You can get the owner’s manual from Catalina Direct, (http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm) just keep in mind, your boat has most likely had a lot of gear changed out, usually by duffers like us. A great source is Catalina 27 Association http://www.catalina27.org/ they have sections of manuals as well as experienced members. This guy has stuff on his site dealing with battery wiring and the like. http://www.ariasails.com/ray.html These people also have a very good page on resurrecting Catalinas. http://www.blumhorst.com/catalina27/catalinahomepage.htm Actually, if you start at the fuse & switch box, it’s fairly easy to replace or upgrade wiring one item at a time. Mostly, you’ll find your problems are more at either end as opposed to actual wiring. Later, eh! Ferg
heads up for wiring in C27
For the interior lighting system, the original wiring harness was imbedded into the head liner and runs along the starboard side overhead. It is immovable. You cannot use the existing harness to fish new wires, nor can you establish new conduits in the head liner without doing damange. Time to be creative if this is on your project list.
For the interior lighting system, the original wiring harness was imbedded into the head liner and runs along the starboard side overhead. It is immovable. You cannot use the existing harness to fish new wires, nor can you establish new conduits in the head liner without doing damange. Time to be creative if this is on your project list.
Catalina Wiring
All modern production boats must be wired in accordance with ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council) saftey standards for wiring. Although I own a 1985 model, I still try to adhere to as many of the current standards as possible. There is a generally recognized ABYC wiring color code you can use and you can get a general idea of properly sizing wire by using the west marine advisor on the WM site. If you want to learn in depth, I'd recommend a book that I own by Nigel Calder- Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual. Has great photos, and explains things in a way that makes technical aspects easier to understand. By reading this book, you could design an electrical system based on your need, budget and how to properly install it. Well worth the money. I feel the C27 Association website is no longer being maintained (80% of their links are dead) so I am launching the next generation of support at Catalina27.net which is growing daily.
All modern production boats must be wired in accordance with ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council) saftey standards for wiring. Although I own a 1985 model, I still try to adhere to as many of the current standards as possible. There is a generally recognized ABYC wiring color code you can use and you can get a general idea of properly sizing wire by using the west marine advisor on the WM site. If you want to learn in depth, I'd recommend a book that I own by Nigel Calder- Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual. Has great photos, and explains things in a way that makes technical aspects easier to understand. By reading this book, you could design an electrical system based on your need, budget and how to properly install it. Well worth the money. I feel the C27 Association website is no longer being maintained (80% of their links are dead) so I am launching the next generation of support at Catalina27.net which is growing daily.
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