[C320-list] New Boat knocking noise

[Jerry Brown]

Thanks Jeff

I will do that and forward to the dealer.

We now think the front mounts are set too high based on the testing done on 
Saturday.  I am going to give him this week to try to fix it, and then call 
in the Fire Brigade if he does not (despite his best efforts).  The dealer 
is not selling and forgetting at all but he also has limited technical 
support capabilities beyond the obvious.

Regards

Jerry Brown
#1137 Indigo
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Hare" <catalina at thehares.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Boat knocking noise


>I suspect that the prop shaft is not true along its entire length, and at
> idle/low speeds it's fine.  When running faster or under load it might 
> start
> whipping.
>
> While the engine mounts may be at fault, it's probably that the dealer 
> isn't
> great at doing the alignment.
>
> The yanmar factory guy that spoke at the Newport Catalina east coast event
> said that the engine's center of balance and rotation are in line with the
> engine's shaft and that it can shake and rock all it wants to when under
> load and it will just rotate around the center of balance....unless it's 
> not
> aligned properly in all 3 axis.  The front mounts are probably set to high
> or low.
>
> You should download the alignment procedure from the C320 website.  It's
> by-far the best engine alignment procedure I've seen and virtually
> eliminates the trial and error method I've seen used in the past.
>
> My .02 cents Canadian (or approximately $1.50 US)
> -Jeff
>
> PS:  On a positive note, beer is finally cheaper than diesel around here.
> :)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S. 
> Field
> Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:37 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Boat knocking noise
>
> Sorry Orlando but I have to disagree with you on this one.  Respectfully 
> of
> course, but disagree nonetheless.  My experiences with Catalina have left 
> a
> very deep impression that only Frank can instantly deploy the resources
> needed to fix this problem in the shortest amount of time possible
> regardless of the expense.  While his customer service recovery is a bit 
> of
> an anachronism, it is what it is and Frank does make things happen. 
> Again,
> I would strongly recommend that Frank know of this problem immediately. 
> And
> that is my 2 cents and I raise you one! - Allan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
> Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com
> Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 1:09 PM
> To: C320-List
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Boat knocking noise
>
> Folks,
>
> Let's take deep breath this one...his dealer appears to be working with 
> him
> diligently on the problem, they are not just "selling it and forgetting
> it"....
>
> I have always found that a note to either Gerry or Frank should as a last
> resort...remember, the dealers are really the ones in charge of your
> customer satisfaction, and as long as he's working with you, I know for a
> fact that Gerry and Frank's attitude is really 'hands off".
>
> if at some point, if you feel the dealer is throwing his arms up on the
> issue and not being responsive, then I would contact Gerry or Frank.
>
> My 2 cents
>
>
> ----------------------------------
> Regards,
> OD
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Allan S. Field" [allan.field at comcast.net]
> Sent: 06/21/2008 08:05 AM
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Boat knocking noise
>
> Sorry but I think this is a problem for Frank Butler.  I would highly
> recommend a letter to Frank then leave all phone numbers where he can
> contact you, such as on Sunday evening while at your in-laws...seriously.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert
> Seastream
> Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 9:32 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Boat knocking noise
>
> It almost sounds like your engine mounts are extremely loose.  It also
> sounds like your dealer just wants to close the deal and get rid of
> you and the boat.
> I'd call Gerry Douglas at Catalina Yachts, tell him briefly of this
> (including the dealership name & info), and tell him you'd like to
> send him a followup email with more details.  I'd also make it known
> to all parties that I'm considering washing my hands of this dealer
> and boat (if possible), taking my business elsewhere.
>
> I feel for you; you simply want to go sailing, and time's running
> out.  However, with the sort of money involved, this dealers' attitude
> and approach is hideous.
>
> Bob Seastream
> Intuition # 906
>
>
> On Jun 21, 2008, at 7:28 AM, Jerry Brown wrote:
>
>> Suggestions Please
>>
>> Our new 320 is sitting at the dealer.  From the day of commissioning
>> there has been a loud knocking sound from the stern whenever the
>> boat is motored over about 2300 revs - we were told it would "settle
>> down".  In two hours of motoring from the dealer premises to our
>> club the engine moved on the mounts sufficiently that it jammed the
>> engine cover which was free when we left (I checked the oil before
>> leaving).
>>
>> Initially the dealer "blamed" the Kiwi Prop that I supplied, and he
>> installed.  He realigned the engine and told me to take the prop off
>> and reinstall the standard two blader.  While still tied to the dock
>> we tried the realigned engine (still fitted with the Kiwi Prop) as I
>> was reluctant to move the boat for fear of doing more damage.  The
>> dealer also dove under the boat to check that the prop was not
>> fouled and that the blades were free. In that test the engine was
>> moving around sufficiently to open up the stuffing box under load.
>> The dealer then thought that the initial motoring and engine
>> movement might have bent the propshaft.  The dealer then arranged to
>> have the boat moved (with minimal motoring) back to his premises.
>> The Kiwi Prop was removed and the shaft and coupling sent to a
>> machine shop for checking.  With the boat out of the water it was
>> clear that the shaft was not aligned.
>>
>> The machine shop confirmed that the shaft and coupling are true.
>> The standard prop was then installed, the engine again realigned
>> (the mechanic is getting lots of practice) and the boat put back in
>> the water with assurances that all would now be good.  The opposite
>> is true.  At 2300 revs the noise is more persistent and louder than
>> with the Kiwi Prop.  A subsequent test by the mechanics with the
>> engine covers off lead them to say that, at the point where the
>> noise starts, the motor can be seen to "move" sideways visually.
>> Another symptom is that when the engine is throttled back,  a
>> relatively low frequency vibration passes through the hull which can
>> be easily felt at the wheel.  The boat almost seems to be "shaking
>> it's hips"  There are no abnormal engine noises etc, no black smoke
>> or any other signs of engine problems.  It is smooth at idle and
>> when revved in neutral.
>>
>> Having confirmed that this is not a Kiwi Prop problem (i.e. my
>> problem from the dealers perspective) the dealers' next suggestion
>> is that possibly the wrong engine mounting rubber blocks were
>> installed from new.  That seems a possibility, but a pretty remote
>> one.  I would welcome other theories as our season is rapidly
>> disappearing.
>>
>> Jerry Brown
>> #1137 Indigo
>
>
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