[C38] autopilot

Don Strong drstrong at ucdavis.edu
Fri Jul 6 15:29:22 EDT 2012 

Don has an Alpha. Its electronics and motor have worked flawlessly for 
15 years, 10 years during my ownership years. This is a heavy duty, 
below deck machine that steers the boat extremely well to weather and a 
bit less well while reaching and running.  The mechanics, which are part 
and parcel of the unique installation on Discreet Charm (and on all 
aftermarket installs) have failed and required my maintenance 4 times. 
Three times bolts backed out. I retightened and loctighted these bolts 
and have had no repeat failures. The fourth failure occurred recently 
when the heavy grease lubrication on the engaging mechanism congealed 
and prevented the finger from inserting into the quadrant. I removed the 
old grease, regreased with marine grade and had it back working 
flawlessly in two afternoons. The big problem with a below deck 
autopilot on a C38 is the same problem with everything in that tiny 
space. Were I a larger person I could not have repaired the autopilot. A 
larger person won't fit down there.
Don
On 7/6/12 11:22 AM, Max Soto wrote:
> Larry,  what kind of Autohelm do you have, wheelpilot, or under deck 
> piston???
> Max
>
> Sent from my iPod
>
> On Jul 6, 2012, at 10:00, "Larry Malmberg" <Larrypi at roadrunner.com 
> <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>> wrote:
>
>> Right on Chuck, we would not have touched anything on Hassle absent 
>> the unfortunate fire in 2010. Given the circumstances of the fire, 
>> purchase back at salvage we upgraded almost all of Hassle's systems 
>> and are still fine tuning them.  On another note, our instruments 
>> were changed from Raymarine to Nexus and of course they have 
>> different languages, our auto helm is still Raymarine and I would 
>> like to get the auto helm integrated to our system.  Anyone have 
>> experience converting Sea Talk Raymarine's proprietary language to 
>> NEMA?  Any advice would be appreciated.  I would like to be able to 
>> plot a route on our Garmin Chart Plotter and have the auto helm 
>> follow the route.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Larry Malmberg
>>
>> 7231 Boulder Avenue Suite 507
>> Highland, CA 92346 PI 15211
>> Telephone  909-208-1847
>> FAX           909-991-7568
>>
>> E Mail Larrypi at roadrunner.com <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love 
>> truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you 
>> smile..
>>
>> "The American Indians found out what happens when  you don't control
>> immigration"
>>
>>
>> "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving 
>> safely in
>> a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
>> thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming; WOW-- 
>> What a
>> Ride!"
>>
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>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> *From:* listserve-bounces at catalina38.org 
>> <mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org> 
>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] *On Behalf Of *Charles
>> *Sent:* Friday, July 06, 2012 8:30 AM
>> *To:* Catalina 38 Listserve
>> *Subject:* Re: [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>
>> Hmmm....
>> This sounds like a lot of the "sage" advice I get from other sailors 
>> from time to time.  Some of it is great!  And others....  well, we 
>> all have to sound like experts!  After all, how can you be a Captain 
>> and not be an expert?
>>
>> And if you alternator by some crazy circumstance actually "fell off," 
>> the bolt in your block would not fall out (it is screwed in tight 
>> holding your alternator).  And!  you would surely notice all the 
>> racket of your alternator bouncing around in the engine compartment 
>> way before you ran out of engine oil!
>>
>> While I was in San Francisco with Anders, I had a discussion with a 
>> fellow at hospital who is buying a 38 foot bayliner power boat.  Two 
>> engines and 13,000 pounds.  What was his experience afloat?  NONE!  
>> Had he even owned another boat? NO!  But, rest assured that the guy 
>> selling it has promised to tell him everything he needs to know to 
>> run this thing! He is a very nice person and I am sure he will be an 
>> expert Captain once someone shows him where the ignition switch is!
>>
>> That is why I listen to Steve S.,  Tom T. and the rest of you guys 
>> who have time on task and the grace to share it!
>>
>> Chuck Finn
>> Mighty Quinn  #114
>> Great Lakes
>>
>> On 7/6/2012 11:18 AM, Steve Smolinske wrote:
>>>
>>> The engine wouldn't  loose  all of its  oil, you  would realize 
>>> first  that  your alternator was off,  there is a small weep hole in 
>>> the block that the bolt on the bracket seals.
>>>
>>> *From:*listserve-bounces at catalina38.org 
>>> <mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org> 
>>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] *On Behalf Of 
>>> *1derful at comcast.net <mailto:1derful at comcast.net>
>>> *Sent:* Thursday, July 05, 2012 8:38 PM
>>> *To:* Larrypi at roadrunner.com <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>; 
>>> Catalina 38 Listserve
>>> *Subject:* Re: [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>>
>>> I don't have any problems.
>>>
>>> My engine starts after 10 seconds of glow plug.
>>>
>>> He is a "fellow sailor" (not selling anything) whom I rafter up with 
>>> this weekend.  He just made a number of suggestions to improve boat. 
>>> He said there is a web site for Catalina that tells what upgrades 
>>> are recommend.
>>>
>>> He mentioned something about a post-market support for the 
>>> alternator which is supposed to prevent it from falling off which 
>>> "would cause engine to lose all its oil."
>>>
>>> I believe in "If its not broken....don't fix it."
>>>
>>> I have gotten into trouble fixing things that work
>>>
>>> Thanks for your response.
>>>
>>> Patrick
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> *From: *"Larry Malmberg" <Larrypi at roadrunner.com 
>>> <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>>
>>> *To: *"Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org 
>>> <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>>
>>> *Sent: *Thursday, July 5, 2012 6:41:34 PM
>>> *Subject: *Re: [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>>
>>> Patrick, I can only suppose that he will do the work and bill you 
>>> for it?  If you don't have charging problems, if everything seems to 
>>> be working OK my opinion is don't mess with it.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>>
>>> Larry Malmberg
>>> Team Hassle
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> *From:*listserve-bounces at catalina38.org 
>>> <mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org> 
>>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] 
>>> <mailto:[mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org]> *On Behalf Of 
>>> *1derful at comcast.net <mailto:1derful at comcast.net>
>>> *Sent:* Thursday, July 05, 2012 5:51 PM
>>> *To:* Catalina
>>> *Subject:* [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>>
>>> I met a fellow this weekend who recommended upgrading my "elcetrical 
>>> harness"? to one with more amps.  He said the batteries would charge 
>>> better.
>>>
>>> Is that worth while?
>>>
>>> My boat spends most of its life tied into shore power.
>>>
>>> Patrick
>>>
>>>
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>>
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-- 
Donald R. Strong
Professor
Dept. of Evolution and Ecology
University of California, Davis 95616



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