Hello Everyone...

[H3LlIoN]

I am H3LlIoN, or just H3 for short. I'm the first mate/mechanic on a 30' Catalina called Skimmer. A friend of mine picked her up and we're working on getting her ready to sail south. The original A4 is still onboard.....we're working on getting it back up and running. Quick question though....can I pull the engine without taking the boat out of the water? I need to haul the engine out, but I'm worried that the water would then pour in from the shaft seal. Thanks! I have pics.....will get them up once I get back to a more stable internet connection.

[ndutton]

Welcome H3

Yes, the engine can be removed in the water. The galley island has to go for excellent access. Depending on what type of shaft seal you have you may need to rig something temporary.

• If it's a conventional stuffing box you're in good shape. As a precaution, place a hose clamp on the inboard end of the shaft clear of the keyway slot. This will prevent the shaft from working its way out.
• If it's a dripless seal with the typical accordion bellows, you'll need to fashion a way to keep the bellows compressed.

Are you certain the engine needs to be removed? Other than crank and bearing work just about everything else can be done in the boat and your Catalina 30 has better access to the engine than most.

[H3LlIoN]

thanks for the response, ndutton.

I still haven't posted pics (obviously) but I promise they are on the way. Anyway, AFAIK it's a standard stuffing fitting, but will post pics to confirm. As far as the engine goes, she's in rough condition. The front cover plate where the serial number is is literally rusted off. According to the owner though, she was running, and then just cut out and they couldn't get her started again. He assumed it was seized, since it wouldn't turn over, but I suspect electrical issues to be the culprit. I'm working now on getting her to at least turn over, and then go from there. In the meantime, I got the galley island out of the boat, and it's like night and day! Access is awesome. We've been discussing a rather lengthy trip so, if it ends up being the case, then a full rebuild will make me feel a lot better.

Also, she's a '77 C30...can't remember the number but it's not far off from you...will check and post tonight.

[CalebD]

Happy 4th H3 and fellow Afourians.

There are a bunch of threads on this forum regarding getting a stuck engine to rotate again. Usually this involves putting an ounce or 2 of Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders, multiple oil changes and using the hand crank to help break the shaft free again. Some folks use ATF and some even recommend a vinegar or other acid soak to eat the rust on the piston rings etc.

A complete overhaul for a trip down the east or west coast sounds like a good idea to me as well. Which coast is it you plan to head south on?

The good news is that it is in essence a tractor engine (flat headed 4 cyl.) and is simply designed (as in last century) and pretty easy to work on (if you have the access).

My engine is 44 years old and runs quite well when it has clean fuel, oil, air and a spark. Of course it needs TLC and corrosion is THE enemy. If you pull your engine I suppose you will clean up the outside and give it a good paint job.

[H3LlIoN]

CalebD - Thanks for the holiday wishes, hope your day was relaxing and you got to spend some time on the water.

I will have no trouble getting engine to turn again...I am no stranger to engine work. This just happens to be my first A4. As far as coasts, down the east, then back up the west, ideally. I'm not going on a trip like that unless I know that I can count on the engine, and right now I know I cannot, hence why I would want to yank it out. Plenty of experience here with similar engine designs, both tractors and old perkins pump engines, so I'm really not uncomfortable about the engine, per se. Also, as per location, I thought I had mentioned, but I am local to Hampton Roads, Virginia.

ndutton - Our C-30 is #637.

And here are some pics...sorry for the quality, they are cell phone pics. I will post more when I get a chance to take them. First is the J-36 I crew for races, then two of the A4 in the Catalina, and finally the only pic I seem to have of Skimmer.

[Bold Rascal]

Welcome to the forum H3

This is a great place for advice and the benefit of experience. Looking at your pics I'd suggest a Moyer Marine engine manual, some Marvel Mystery oil and a couple bottles of PB blaster.

My first A4 experience is much like yours, it's a great engine.

[H3LlIoN]

Since everyone pushes the manual, lemme ask this....

The first part is listed as "a general guide explaining the pieces and their function, as well as general maintenance and troubleshooting."

So, that part I don't think that I need, as I already know my way around engines and how to maintain/troubleshoot them.

The second part is listed as a step by step for overhauling....Now, from what I've read, it seems like Mr. Moyer built this guide for the DIYer so that people can work through this at home. While that's very awesome of him, is there any real value for a genuine grease monkey? I mean....I know my way around engines....been building and rebuilding since I was a kid. Would I realize any value from this manual? Given the choice, I'd rather throw the money at parts....


Oh....and the PB blaster is already aboard.

[hanleyclifford]

The one thing you really need from the manual is the specifications. In addition, the discussions by Don Moyer himself are alone worth the price. Trust me. I've been working on these engines for 20 years and I go back to the Manual every time. Welcome to the group.

[sastanley]

Hellion..I know that J/36. I used to race on Chareta (a J/36) when it was on the Chesapeake. I was also just in Hampton for SBRW.

Your C-30 looks just like mine except I have gray instead of tan non-skid (a tiller!?!? no extra junk or canvas, etc..)..we'll get her up and moving in no time!



We push the manual because it is worth it...Mine came with the boat, but I would have bought one anyway now that I know what's in it.

[ndutton]

Say WHAT?

Your C-30 looks just like mine except I have gray instead of tan non-skid (a tiller!?!? no extra junk or canvas, etc..)..we'll get her up and moving in no time!

JUNK?? The Hell you say!

[H3LlIoN]

Thanks for the input on the manual....I'll be sure to tack it on to my first parts order.

sastanley....I am unfamiliar with Chareta...I just started racing with Phil about a month ago. Unfortunately I can't make the weekend races, as my skydiving gets in the way, but I'm hoping that I can adjust my schedule so that I get at least one weekend a month on the Feather. I am admittedly new to sailboats. I spent some time on 16' hobies as a kid, but that is about it. The rest of my time was spent on ski boats and dive boats.

Oh and I'd go for gray....the tan is not my favorite. Just got back from her actually....spent the better part of the evening sipping cold beer and watching the starts while rocking out to oldies. It was a great night here, despite the poor weather forecast. Plan for tomorrow is to get the new batteries in and start sorting out the starter wiring, which is admittedly a mess.

Here's another shot....the sun kind of whited out the pic though.

[sastanley]

H3Llion,
Chareta has been sold and left the Bay many many years ago.

It may seem a little overwhelming at first (these big boats that is)..I've been around them forever, but the Catalina 30 is my first personally owned boat bigger than a Laser. I took advantage of sailing on OPB's (Other People's Boats) as long as I could. Much cheaper that way! However, it all comes together slowly as you become more familiar with her.

Most of the wiring in C-30's of our vintage is a wreck. Here is the back of my original panel. I am currently working on re-wiring her to a new panel in the new chart table.

[Administrator]

I used to race on Chareta (a J/36) when it was on the Chesapeake. I was also just in Hampton for SBRW.

Shawn:

Racing a J-36? SBRW?

And to think I once suggested adding ballast to your boat to deal with a minor trim issue! I know what I was drinkin', but Lawd, what was I thinkin'....

Bill

[sastanley]

SBRW = Southern Bay Race Week. This was my first year down there & we had a great time. We raced on a Colgate 26 this year (on a trailer, delivery from Solomons was 3.5 hours at 55MPH!)

I hear the old Chareta is on a lake in Texas now still winning races. Feather, that H3 refers to, usually beat us..along with Sea Star, another well sailed J/36. ...but it was nice having three or four J/36's on the Chesapeake to race against in the big events. I was a teenager/early 20's when the owners had the boat..he was the best man at my (first) wedding, & in a wheelchair for 62 of his 64 years on this earth. He passed away 3 years ago tomorrow (of course, on my birthday), & his widow and I are still close. He was a strong, gentle person.

Bill..by the way, I fixed that minor trim issue by moving the batteries over to the stbd side of the boat during my chart table rebuild/partial re-wire work this winter.

Sorry for the hijack, H3! - If you are racing on Feather for the Screwpile Regatta, come look me up and/or send me a PM here. I am crewing on "Easy Button" in the (slow) PHRF C/D class.

[H3LlIoN]

No worries about the hijack, good talk is good talk.

Oh...and Feather usually STILL beats everyone. When is screwpile?