[C38] Engine Woe's

[Rick Swensson]

This is not an expert advisor but a good story.  About 5 years ago we were starting the Newport Ensenada Race in "Rascal" and the engine seized up while checking in to the race.  We had our main up so we sailed on a ways to trouble shoot the engine.  No way it would start.  I said, "Well, boys (and girls), this is a sailing race--we're not in cruising class and don't need the engine.  Whadda say?"  Long story short: we raced to Ensenada knowing we had no engine.  Sailed into Ensenada harbor (we got second I think) and put the boat in Baja Naval and bussed back.  Bought a used Universal 3 from the same outfit in Costa Mesa you used, Larry, and drove it down to ensenada in a pick up.  Rolled it out to the dock on a skateboard and switched it out using the main halyard in about 3 hours.  Made it back no problem to Newport.  Two weeks later the new one refused to start (cracked block).  We then had the original one rebuilt and put it back in--got credit for the bum engine.  Like you say, Larry, its just Boat Bucks.  Hey, I wonder if you bought our old engine?

Rick 
"Rascal" Hull 0183
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Larry Malmberg 
  To: 'Catalina 38 Listserve' 
  Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 1:32 PM
  Subject: [C38] Engine Woe's


  Hi all, in 09 after completing the Newport Beach CA to Ensenada BC Mexico Race I looked into the bilge of Hassle and found some oil residue.  Further checking showed a leaky rear main seal, not significant leak, a drop here and there.  A neighbor on our docks has a Catalina 38 and I knew he had the engine pulled, rebuilt and re installed.  I talked to him about it and he told me he would NEVER do that again, given the cost it was cheaper to buy a new engine and have it installed.  I found one in Costa Mesa, a Universal 3 cylinder diesel (Kubota) and was able to make a deal on it for 7200 bucks cash.  The guys that did the neighbors engine removed the old one and installed the new one for about 2K, there was some modifications that has to be made but it was worth it.

  When I acquired Hassle in 05 I asked the prior owner's mechanic what he would do to her if it was his boat.  He told me that he would put a new engine in her if he was going to go cruising but for local stuff the current engine was OK.  Turns out a new one worked better.  It has more HP that the old one and you can actually see down the sides of the engine, check the oil and replace the dip stick without feeling around for the hole.  Just a ton of better use with the new one.  So break out those Boat Bucks folks.  LOL






  Best regards,

  Larry Malmberg
  Team Hassle




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