[C320-list] First time out and QUESTIONS!

[Larry Frank]

Brad,

It looks like you already have a number of good answers.

What do you mean by a "rubber snubber".  How is it attached?

Larry
WindSwept C320 #246

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Brad Kuether
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 11:20 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] First time out and QUESTIONS!

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