[C320-list] First time out and QUESTIONS!

[pat reynolds]

When running the engine, switch may be on both (never go from 1 to 2 or visa versa by passing thru "off" when the engine is running as this will ruin diodes in alternator)  If you are in a slip and have shore power both batteries should be receiving a charge no matter what position the switch is in.  You may wish to switch from 1 to 2 and back every week so you are alternating batteries instead of using one for starting exclusively

--- On Sun, 8/2/09, Taylor Devlin <tdevlin944 at msn.com> wrote:

> From: Taylor Devlin <tdevlin944 at msn.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] First time out and QUESTIONS!
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Date: Sunday, August 2, 2009, 4:05 PM
> We are very interested to read this
> thread.  We too are experiencing some 'not very pretty'
> returns to our slip.  We are pretty inexperienced
> sailors, and are getting to know the foibles of our 320,
> which is our first boat. Only recently we worked out that
> reversing in neutral was a lot easier than under reverse
> power.  Our slip is pretty tight, and requires a 90 deg
> right turn followed by an immediate 90 left to get in. 
> An important lesson came our way yesterday.  A friend
> was on dock and offered to help.  We threw him the bow
> line expecting to deal with the aft spring ourselves. 
> He pulled tightly on the line and of course I lost the
> stern.  I had no idea how to correct things so we
> backed out and left the fairway to try again.  More
> successful this time.  Sometimes it might be best to
> say no thanks to a helping hand.
> 
> May I ask about batteries?  When is it best to select
> BOTH?  I start on 1 and use 2 for house purposes, so
> why would I go to BOTH?
> 
> Happy sailing and docking!
> 
> Taylor and Louise Devlin
> ESCAPE
> 2003 320 #938
> Salt Spring Island BC
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Danko" <ken320 at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 11:08 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] First time out and QUESTIONS!
> 
> 
> > You want to be careful with changing the range of
> motion of the radial drive. If you try to increase it too
> much the chain will come off the sprocket and you will no
> longer be able to steer except with the emergency tiller.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Brad Kuether wrote:
> >> We (the family) took Independence out for our
> first sail.  It was blowing like snot, and we kept the
> genny reefed in around 130.  The boat handled exactly
> how I thought it would, maybe getting overpowered once or
> twice but nothing drastic.
> >> The real adventure began when we tried to put the
> boat away, going dead downwind.   It took us
> three tries to get it into the slip and it wasn't pretty how
> we did it.
> >> 
> >> The problem was that boat simply would not turn to
> port going backwards. I knew it wouldn't handle like my
> C&C did, but I mean it would NOT move at all.  And
> while I was trying I could only get 180 degrees on the
> wheel.  It didn't seem right.
> >> 
> >> So after the wife and kids left, I crawled down
> into the aft compartment. The wire that keeps the radial
> drive wheel from over turning had a rubber snubber on it,
> that basically took about 2 inches off the length of the
> wire.  I think this is what kept me from being able to
> steer into the slip.
> >> 
> >> So based on my first experience here are my
> questions...
> >> 
> >>   1.. Is the snubber standard, or
> was it put on the by the PO?
> >>   2.. Can it be removed or is 40
> degrees really what the turning radius is?
> >>   3.. Has anyone had problems with
> the wheel getting loose?  (I tightend the piece that
> hold the wheel on and it just got loose again. )
> >>   4.. If you plug the boat in will
> it charge the batteries and does the battery switch need to
> be in the on position for that to happen?.  (I know
> RTFM, but I spent all my time diagnosing the steering!)
> >>   5.. Is there a temperature where
> the engine can safely be shutdown? (3GM30) I have never had
> a gage just knew if I let it idle for 5 mins or so it would
> be fine.  ( I know probably another RTFM)
> >> Thanks and I am sure I will have more questions
> after we go out more.....
> >> 
> >> -Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
> >> "Independence"
> >> 2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
> >> Middle River, MD
> >> 
> > 
> > 
> 
>