[C320-list] New Boat knocking noise

[crashley at gte.net]

All,

This could all be avoided if Catalina used saildrives. Which prompts me to 
ask, are there any inherent disadvantages with saildrives (perhaps only 
cost)? They seem like a nice solution in a lot of ways.

CRA
Rosebud #882

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Brown" <jbrown03 at sympatico.ca>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 3:32 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Boat knocking noise


> 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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>
>