[C38] thanks

[Charles]

Phil,
A review of our listserve archives demonstrates this has been an 
ongoing, rich discussion for many years and I expect it will continue as 
the "smile" continues to appear in our boats.  Folks have weighed in 
with their attempts to solve the problem that include:

1. Removal and reattachment of the keel and keel bolts.
2. Installation of an additional keel bolt in the affected area.
3. Routine tightening of keel bolt (please note these should be checked 
at least yearly regardless).
4. Cosmetic applications.
5. Application of epoxies after a in-depth grinding.
6. Living with it.

We have heard from several folks who have contacted Catalina directly 
that our smile results from improper support of the keel when on the 
hard (Steve Orton does a great job of explaining this).  Personally, I 
have used solutions 3-6 from the above list and am leaning toward number 
6 as my overall philosophy.  I can report that since I have been 
supporting the keel forward... the problem has greatly reduced.  But I 
won't be surprised if when I see the Mighty Quinn into the water this 
upcoming season, that I don't first have to do a little grinding an 
filling first.  So is life with our choice of boat! 
I agree with Steve as well that I have had some almost difficult 
discussions with boatyards regarding keel support.  For example, I left 
my boat in Lake Michigan this time around with a great marina that lifts 
over 450 boats every fall.  These guys really know their stuff and gave 
me some very good advice regarding placement of supports and some 
structural issues I need to attend to.  So, imagine their surprise when 
I turned from "boat owner along for the ride" to the guy who absolutely 
won't let them set the boat the way they do for almost everyone else! 

Here are my "bottom line" rules for setting the boat on the hard:
1. Make sure you are on hard ground.  Erosion or settling of the earth 
under your boat will void any other effort.
2. Support your keel with blocking on the forward 1/4.
3. If you use a "vee post" on the bow (one yard insisted on this), make 
sure it does not carry weight!
4. Placement of other jacks should absolutely be on bulkhead areas.
5. Make sure your boat drains naturally (water test this in the cockpit 
and on port/starboard rails)
6. Make sure you or somebody you can rely on checks/adjusts the jack 
stands a week or so after you have set the boat.

Please let me know whether you agree / disagree / have something to add 
or whatever for the above list.  Once there is some consensus, I will 
post it to "Tech Tips" on our website.

Charles  Finn
Mighty Quinn #114
Great Lakes


Phil Gay wrote:
> I am curious about Cabrillo's approach to fixing the "smile."  I have had
> estimates here in the Northwest that varied.  Some suggested dropping the
> keel and epoxying or 5200ing it back, others wanted to just fiberglass in
> the keel stub to keel joint, while others suggested either sealing it with a
> weaker more flexible polysulfide sealant.  I wonder if any one of these
> works better.
>
> Phil Gay
> C38 049 Que Linda
> Everett, WA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Rich West
> Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 5:19 AM
> To: Rod and Patti Headlee; Catalina 38 Listserve
> Subject: Re: [C38] thanks
>
> I had Don at cabrillo fix my catalina smile also.  It's been 3 years and it
> still looks good. 
>
> Rich, Legacy, #360, Los Angeles
>  
> ------Original Message------
> From: Rod and Patti Headlee
> Sender: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
> To: Catalina 38 Mailing list
> ReplyTo: Rod and Patti Headlee
> ReplyTo: Catalina 38 Listserve
> Sent: Jan 19, 2009 4:42 AM
> Subject: [C38] thanks
>
> Thanks for the tips Charles and Rich. 
>
> We are going to level it tomorrow. The stands are on concrete and they are
> going to build a cradle under her and chain her down. We had the smile
> fiberglassed over 3 years ago and torqued the keel bolts, everything looks
> good. We had it done in Long Beach at the Cabrillo Boatshop, they are
> familiar with the C-38 if anyone else needs it done.
>
> Rod
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Listserve mailing list
> Listserve at catalina38.org
> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry
>
> _______________________________________________
> Listserve mailing list
> Listserve at catalina38.org
> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Listserve mailing list
> Listserve at catalina38.org
> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>