[C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler

[Robert Seastream]

Somebody (s) got to grab the Catalina decesion makers by the throat and 
demand a better design.
A muffler, marine or not, should be a commonly available replacement, 
not something of unique design as lamented here.

Bob


On Dec 25, 2007, at 7:26 PM, Allan Field wrote:

> David - My son-in-law, who knows about these things, recommended heat. 
>  The
> fitting on the forward end of the muffler is probably 3 inches long.  
> I was
> able to get the hose up 2 inches but then the hose was bent against the
> transmission and would not go any further.  So I heated the hose at the
> bend, that made the hose more pliable, and I was able to get it that 
> last
> inch while continuing to apply heat at the hose end also.
>
> I have already purchased the replacement which in retrospect probably 
> was a
> dumb move.  The current muffler failed in less than 450 engine hours.  
> Why
> would I think that I would get any longer out of a new muffler of the 
> same
> make and model...  Only a fool repeats the same behavior over and over
> again, expecting a different outcome each time.  Guess we know what 
> that
> makes me!  If and when muffler #2 fails, I'll be back on the list 
> looking
> for a different option. And this has made me re-think the wisdom of 
> sending
> muffler #1 back to Catalina for repair and then keeping as a spare.
>
> Allan S. Field
> Sea Shadow - #808
> Columbia, MD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of David Nolte
> Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2007 3:26 PM
> To: C320-List
> 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
>>
>>
>
>
>
>