| 10210 Systems Parkway, Suite 390 Sacramento, CA 95827 |
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| [email protected] | |
| 1-800-959-SAIL (7245) |
The Universal Diesel engines used in most Catalinas are so reliable that we begin to take them for granted. But, since lives may depend upon that little engine, we must be able to trust that it will start every time, regardless of the conditions. Only proper maintenance provides the best odds that your engine will be available when you most need it.
Although we are not engine experts, a bit of research has provided a list of items you should carry aboard as spares. Most are obvious, a few are a surprise.
There is not a big profit margin available on engine parts so we can't offer any of the screaming deals found on some of our other products. But the same research reveals we are at least price competitive and you can save shipping cost by including engine maintenance items with your routine order for your Catalina. Order our maintenance kits and you will save even more. Since you're spending more dollars, we can afford to take a smaller margin and still make some money. And our maintenance kit provides a group of spares necessary for a safe voyage.
Below is a periodic maintenance schedule as specified for the M12, M2-12, M18, M25, M25-XP, M320, M35, and M50 engines. Newer engines (M25-XPB for example) have somewhat longer maintenance intervals. Check your owners manual.
| Factory recommended routine maintenance: | |
| Every 75 hours (at least once each season) | Change engine oil and oil filter. |
| Every 100 hours (at least once each season) | Change fuel oil filter Change transmission oil |
| Check V-belt tension. 1/2" deflection. Check electrolyte levels in battery. Check engine mounts bolts and lock nuts for looseness, and rubber for wear. Check engine and shaft alignment annually or if vibration is noticed under power. Check all cables for tightness and location to proper positioning. Check for clean tight engine ground connection to block. Check all fuel and water lines for tightness or replacement. | |
| Additional routine maintenance based on our experience: | |
| At least once each season | Clean fuel pump filter (and replace as necessary) Check electrical connections (particularly the ground) to the electric fuel pump Replace the zinc in the heat exchanger |
| At the end of each season | Top up the fuel tank and add and an additive to the fuel to prevent algae growth |
| Spares you should always have aboard: | |
| Lube oil filter* Fuel oil filter* Fuel pump filter* Fuel pump filter gasket* Water pump impeller* Water pump impeller gasket* Sacrificial zinc V belt Raw water strainer cup, stainless strainer, & "O" ring 2 qts of engine lube oil 1 qt transmission oil 1 gal 50/50 coolant mix * Included in our spares kit |
Since new rigging stretches, replacing only one of a pair of shrouds will make it difficult to keep your rig in tune.
You should “pre flight” and “post flight” your rig before and after every sail. Every time you sail in more wind than you have sailed in previously with your new rigging, it must be re-tuned.
Since rigging fails inside of the end fittings where they cannot be inspected, prudence dictates that standing rigging be replaced every seven years for boats sailed in salt water, every ten years for those sailed in fresh water.
No, you can choose one of our Trim-2-fit kits instead. There were many unrecorded changes in dimensions, turnbuckle length and hardware used by Catalina. Each of these changes can effect the length of your shroud or stay.
If you are sending old rigging to be duplicated, tune your rig, then mark your turnbuckles per our “Standing Rigging Instructions” found below under “Technical Support”.
It's difficult to tune your rig perfectly straight. That's OK. We fabricate your new rigging by averaging the length of each pair of shrouds.
Your new standing rigging will be fabricated to match the overall pin to pin dimension (+-1/4”) with the new turnbuckle adjusted approximately 1/3 of the way into it total available travel.
New rigging wire will stretch each time you sail in more wind. Having the turnbuckle 1/3 into its available travel provides more adjustment to accommodate that stretch.
Yes. Many world cruisers use this type of fitting on both ends of their standing rigging. If anything happens en route to Tahiti, it can be repaired aboard without special tools. Production builders don't use them because it would add tens of thousands of dollars to their annual costs.
Maybe. The user installed end fittings are more expensive. But you’re only buying one per shroud. You also save the cost of shipping your old rigging and potentially hundreds of dollars in yard fees. If you avoid unstepping the mast or hiring a rigger you’ll save much more.
Use either a bypass style cutter designed for stainless or an appropriate cut-off wheel on a Dremel tool. Do not use a bolt cutter that drives a blade into an anvil. It will munch up the end of the wire terribly.
Since rigging fails inside of the end fittings where they cannot be inspected, prudence dictates that standing rigging be replaced every seven years for boats sailed in salt water, every ten years for those sailed in fresh water.
You should “pre flight” and “post flight” your rig before and after every sail. Every time you sail in more wind than you have sailed in previously with your new rigging, it should be re-tuned.
