[C320-list] Exhaust elbow

[Adam Weiner]

The first time I noticed something was when I was trying to motor into
my marina in a strong head wind and I had the throttle full open and
couldn't make much headway.  

Next week I noticed that with full throttle and less head wind (there is
usually a head wind in my channel in the summer) I was making less
headway and I looked at the RPM's.  Only about 1800.  Next time out the
same thing and the RPM's only hit 1500 then 1200 and I barely got the
boat back into the slip against the wind) and at dock next time it
wouldn't start.  Thus, it was pretty consistent once it started
happening.

I learned a valuable lesson. If you are in your dock, Boat US doesn't
cover towing.  If I ever have a major engine problem I am going to sail
up to about 1/4 mile from the engine mechanic and call Boat US and tell
them they can either tow me 12 miles back to my slip or 1/4 mile to the
mechanic.  The other issue is that if you are not tying up dock space at
the mechanic they do not prioritize your repair.  With this approach I
would not have to pay any towing fees and would have priority.

Adam 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Heyman
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 4:18 PM
To: 'C320-List'
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Exhaust elbow


Adam,
Thanks for blazing the trail and taking one for the team (sorry about
the budget impact). When you saw the engine lose rev's was it
intermittent or pretty consistent? Thanks, Bruce Somerset 671 SoCal

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
esquirecatering at rcn.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 12:54 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Exhaust elbow

Alec, unfortunately, I was the first one on the list with this problem.
I posted several calls for advice a couple of years ago when this struck
and the symptom was low RPM's and no exhaust.  Hours were around 500.  I
followed all of the advice given including removing the fuel tank and
scrubbing it out and refilling (a tough and messy job), changing all the
filters again, etc.  

Took 3 months of waiting before the mechanic could look at it and with
the tow from my dock to his, etc. it cost over $1500.  

I then put on the list for everyone to check on this and it seems to
have paid off for a number of people.

I will definitely do mine anytime I see the RPM's dropping or other
issues.

Adam