[C320-list] First time out and QUESTIONS!

[Irving Grunes]

Brad,
1. The snubber is standard on 2001 #851
2. #851 Turning Radius seems fine
3.Our wheel nut sometimes loosens up, but you want to be able to remove the
wheel quickly in case you need to use the emergency tiller. We just hand
tighten it from time to time.
4.Most battery chargers will charge each battery separately.when the charger
is turned on.
I do NOT suggest putting the batteries switch in to the BOTH position unless
there is a need. That will just drag the good battery down to the lower
charged battery
5. Ideling the engine only makes for carbon build up in the exhaust system.
The cooling system controls the max engine temperature.  Always race the
engine before shutting down for  FEW SECONDS TO BLOW ANY CARBON OUT..
DIESELS ARE MEANT TO BE RUN HARD.

6. Suggest finding a clear stretch of water and practice doing figure eights
in reverse, in both directions.
That will give you confidence in controlling the boat. You must have some
speed up to control the C320 in reverse.
Good Luck on your new boat.
Irv Grunes

On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:20 AM, Brad Kuether <bkuether at comcast.net> 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
>