[C320-list] Early Christmas Present

[allan.field at comcast.net]

Hi Bruce - The S-1 has several features that the others don't that I really like such as wind direction, distance to waypoint, bearing to waypoint, waypoint, and the ability to change the sensitivity on the fly without going to a set-up menu.  This assumes that all other instruments are Sea Talk which is what I have, including the Raymarine C80 color chart plotter - they all talk back and forth to each other.

I did the install except for the rudder sensor.  Raymarine will tell you that the thing will work w/o the sensor but it won't.  I could not figure out the geometry so finally surrendered and had an electrician come in for that part.  He installed it on the starboard side, aft lazarette shelf which I never would have thought of doing.  I built a starboard-box around the sensor to protect it from objects on the shelf and am now pleased with what I did as the Honda 2000 actually fits better around the box!  

The hardest parts of the install for me were digging out the caulk at the bottom of the port side binnacle tube so as to get the old power cable out plus finding a place for and getting the computer installed; neither was easy.  I finally installed the computer on the bulkhead forward of the fridge compressor that serves as the aft bulkhead for the port lazarette.  Getting down into the locker and sitting there for over an hour to wire the computer was not fun.  I opened the escape hatch into the aft cabin so as to be able to stretch out my legs but still had trouble walking when I finished!  I sat on a throwable cushion and put a pillow on the escape hatch door which helped a little but it is very cramped down there, the wires are small, and the fittings they go into are even smaller to work with.

While digging the caulk out with plastic tipped mechanics picks, I managed to short out the wind and depth instruments and wound up re-splicing them along the way.  But once everything was installed, the sea trial set-up took 5 minutes and I was on my way.  

Oh, I almost forgot, the engine pod had to be dropped about 3-4 inches so that the wheel clutch could go all the way down and the engine kill switch could come all the way up.  I also had to drill new holes in the binnacle to install the bracket for the wheel pilot.  At the end of the day, this is more than a 1-day job!  More like 4 for me... 

I just realized that there probably is a future Mainsheet article here as all of us eventually will need to go this route as the old ST4000's give up the ghost. - Allan

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Bruce Heyman" <bruceheyman at cox.net> 

> Alan, 
> Assuming you had the ST4000 Plus? What was the big advantage to going with 
> the upgrade to S-1? Did you do all the work yourself? 
> Best, 
> Bruce 
> Somerset 671 SoCal 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com 
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan Field 
> Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 6:43 PM 
> To: 'C320-List' 
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Early Christmas Present 
> 
> Scott - I don't know what Catalina is installing for autopilots now but I 
> just upgraded this summer to the Raymarine S-1 wheel pilot. Once you get 
> past the install challenges, the thing is an absolute treat to use compared 
> to the ST4000. - Allan 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com 
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of T. Scott Thompson 
> Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 1:06 PM 
> To: C320-List 
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Early Christmas Present 
> 
> Personally I'd dump them both and go with a traditional mainsail setup 
> plus Dutchman system. After owning my boat for several years I have 
> little envy of those with mainsail furling systems. The 320 is small 
> enough that I find I have no trouble getting underway, reefing, 
> unreefing, furling, etc. single handed, provided the autopilot is 
> working. I see little value in the added complexity of the inboom or 
> inmast furlers, and I'm sure both hurt sailing performance -- especially 
> the inmast system. (The main performance disadvantage of in-boom is 
> weight, and on some setups no vang control.) I'd instead spend the 
> money on a good asymmetrical spinnaker setup, or else a good whisker 
> pole setup. I'd also think about dumping the stock sails for better 
> ones if I could get a good allowance for the stock sails. 
> 
> What kind of autopilot are they installing now? I don't recall seeing 
> one on the wheel of the 320 at the Annapolis boat show. I wish my boat 
> had something beefier than the wheel drive on my 1999 boat. If you are 
> going to upgrade that, then this would be a good new boat addition. 
> 
> An alternator / charging regulator upgrade would also be a good idea if 
> you are going to anchor out much, as would a separate starting battery. 
> I don't know if dealers would make those mods to a new boat. There 
> might be warranty issues. 
> 
> Scott 
> Surprise, 653 
> 
> Len wrote: 
> > Will second the motion re change-out the in-mast furling for in-boom 
> furling 
> > main. Am very pleased with operation of my Leisure Furl coastal model, 
> and 
> > with in-boom furling you don't have to worry about main getting stuck at 
> top 
> > of mast if in-mast furler jams. In-boom gives you a full sail with 
> battens, 
> > and traditional up-down mainsail. 
> > 
> > Len Krane 
> > Aqua5 #1070 
> > 
> > On 10/13/07, Orlando.Duran at averydennison.com < 
> > Orlando.Duran at averydennison.com> wrote: 
> > 
> >> Do yourself a favor---whatever you want to put on the boat, do it now, 
> >> have the dealer install and forget about it.. 
> >> 
> >> Other considerations: (my opinion) 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Inverter/Charger - go for a 2000W that has at least 75-100A charger 
> >> 
> >> Flex-o-Fold is an excellent folding prop 
> >> 
> >> Dodger/Bimini 
> >> 
> >> Plenty of inexpensive flat screen (20') TV's you can install 
> >> 
> >> Starting battery 
> >> 
> >> I'm not a fan of in-mast furling mains--slow as heck, they don't hold any 
> >> sail shape--can you swap for in-boom? 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> ---------------------------------- 
> >> Regards, 
> >> OD 
> >> 
> >> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> ----- Original Message ----- 
> >> From: "John Frost" [john at frostnet.net] 
> >> Sent: 10/13/2007 07:50 AM 
> >> To: "'C320-List'" 
> >> Subject: [C320-list] Early Christmas Present 
> >> 
> >> I have been lurking on this list for about a year trying to decide 
> whether 
> >> I 
> >> could afford to join your ranks. Well, last week at the Annapolis Boat 
> >> Show 
> >> I pulled the trigger and signed on for a new C320. I can't wait! 
> >> 
> >> I now have a bunch of decisions to make about how to have the dealer 
> >> outfit 
> >> it before we splash. My first question is which folding/feathering prop 
> to 
> >> go with. I followed the recent thread with interest but didn't keep the 
> >> results. I see the Kiwi prop is definitely favored down under, but am not 
> >> sure in this part of the world. Is there an archive that I can check? 
> >> 
> >> We have a 150 jib, furling main, wind package, AC, wing keel and 
> >> autopilot. 
> >> Will add a VHF and possibly tv antenna, will get epoxy and antifoul. 
> >> What other things do you think should be done before raising the mast and 
> >> putting in the water for a couple of years? I like puttering with the 
> >> small 
> >> stuff but am not much of a fan of my Bosun's chair. 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Best Regards, 
> >> John Frost 
> >> Name To Be Chosen 
> >> Lake Guntersville, AL 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
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