[C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler

[David Nolte]

Bob,

I found the mechanic's invoice when we replaced it (June '05), but it  
doesn't itemize the specific muffler type. I'll get in touch with him  
later this week to try to nail down the specific muffler. He picked  
it up at a local marine supply store, it may have been West Marine.  
He was sure that the boat did not need to have the custom Catalina  
muffler in order to function properly, and so far he's been right.

David Nolte
Beach House #4...1993





On Dec 25, 2007, at 4:09 PM, R Airis wrote:

> What type of  "off the shelf " Muffler did you use? I would like to  
> have one on board
> just in case. No leaks so far.  Hull #266.....1995
>
> Bob & Sheila .....Hale Kai 2
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Nolte" <dcnolte at mac.com>
> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2007 12:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler
>
>
>> Allan,
>>
>> I'm curious as to why you are applying heat. Does it make the  
>> hose  more pliable in our current moderately cold temps?
>>
>> It would seem to me that heating the hose would cause it and the   
>> exhaust outlet to expand, thus making the seal tighter and more   
>> difficult to remove the hose.
>>
>> I have seen guys at a local boatyard use a tool (I'd love to get  
>> one) that looks something like an enlarged dentist's pick, which  
>> they  slide into the hose end to pry the hose off of fittings.  
>> I'll look to  see if I can find anything like that in a catalog.
>>
>> Are you replacing the muffler or having it serviced? When I  
>> bought  Beach House (#4), I inherited a very good mechanic, whose  
>> first  recommendation to me was to replace the muffler. The former  
>> owners  had sent it back to Catalina several times for repair. The  
>> repairs  never worked for very long. Late in my first season with  
>> the boat the  muffler went up again. I chucked it and my mechanic  
>> put an off the  shelf model in, which has worked fine for more  
>> than 3 years. If  you're interested, I'll try to find out the make  
>> & model.
>>
>> Happy Holidays,
>>
>> David Nolte
>> Beach House #4
>> Severna Park, MD
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Dec 25, 2007, at 8:18 AM, Allan Field wrote:
>>
>>> I am in the midst of replacing the Aqua Lift muffler and am  
>>> looking  for
>>> advice from those who have gone before.  Using a hairdryer, I  
>>> was  able to
>>> get the hose from the engine to the muffler off after a nominal  
>>> struggle.
>>> The problem is getting the hose from the muffler to the exhaust   
>>> outlet off.
>>> There simply is not enough room to get my hand in to pry the  
>>> thing  off no
>>> matter how much I heat the hose.
>>>
>>> It seems to me that I have 3 options.  Obviously, I am looking  
>>> for either
>>> the option that works or the one I have not thought of!
>>>
>>> 1. Unscrew the muffler from the base, heat up the hose, and try  
>>> to pry
>>> the muffler off the hose by tugging and wiggling the muffler   
>>> towards the
>>> engine.  I am not sure there is enough room to do this nor am I   
>>> sure that
>>> the hose will come forward a few inches with me (or if that even  
>>> matters).
>>>
>>> 2. Working with another person who is applying constant heat to the
>>> hose, climb down into the aft locker and try to pull the thing  
>>> off by
>>> pulling aft.  I am not sure I can get the proper leverage from  
>>> this position
>>> however.
>>>
>>> 3. Cut the hose off and replace it with a new one.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.
>>>
>>> Allan S. Field
>>> Sea Shadow - #808
>>> Columbia, MD
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>