[C320-list] New Skipper

[JJ Morrison]

You've pretty much covered the "waterfront" here with your list but rest assured there are many more things you'll want to do! I would not change the location of battery charger and have never heard of Mastervolt. I believe that most 320 owners (including me) have gone with the Xantrex Truecharge 40amp and it is very easy to install, get the battery temperature sensor as well. Installing the starting battery is a good idea if you plan on being away from shore power for more than 3 days at a stretch.
Have a ball.
JohnMorrison
1999#574
 

> From: katchu at chartermi.net
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2013 01:12:49 +0000
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Skipper
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Mike 
> 
> Welcome to the C320 association. I also have a 2000 C320, and my first priorities when I purchased Northwind was to add a small chartplotter and a VHF radio with remote mic at the helm. My boat is at the dock, with shore power, so the battery issues are not as critical. I also added adjustable jib cars and mid-ship cleats, plus sound insulation in the engine compartment was a nice addition.
> 
> 
> 
> Chuck Mueller
> 
> Northwind #676
> 
> Holland, MI
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 20:15:44 -0500
> From: Michael Shirley <jmshirley1 at gmail.com>
> To: C320-list at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] New skipper seeks advice on battery issues
> Message-ID:
> <CAEjVF1nZG-1BPUP60386rX25AJa=po3Dg6Bo3krBdvBcaHx_Og at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
> 
> Hello. I am new to the Catalina 320 Association, and this is my first
> post. It's a long post, and I appreciate your patience. In October I
> acquired a 2000 Catalina 320 after selling my Beneteau. Really like
> the Catalina! The boat has been stored on land for 2-3 years and
> neglected. Needless to say, there are issues I must address that have
> resulted from lack of use and inattention to routine maintenance, and
> I seek your advice about how I might prioritize what needs to be done
> factoring in cost and how I plan to use the boat. Except for the
> initial sail from the Patapsco River down to my slip in Annapolis, I
> haven?t used the boat. The upcoming sailing season will be an
> extensive shakedown to determine what needs to be replaced and what
> added as an upgrade. I will be spending some weekends at anchor and
> there will be the occasional 3-4 day trip. In May I hope to take a
> week-long cruise. Ultimately I plan to go down the ICW to the Keys and
> over to the Bahamas, but I?m still a coastal cruiser. Here is my first
> dilemma. The 4D batteries are not holding a charge, so they must be
> replaced soon with new 4D deep cycle. I do not believe any changes
> have been made to the original set-up to the batteries and charging
> system. My electronics guy believes I also need a 40 amp battery
> charger (Mastervolt Power Charger) at a minimum, an external regulator
> on the stock 55 amp alternator, and a separate Group 27 engine start
> battery. He proposes to relocate the battery charger out of the port
> cockpit locker to be nearer the batteries and locate the new start
> battery in front of the house bank.The biggest load is refrigeration.
> I will be adding a stereo system soon (high priority as I must have my
> tunes and Orioles baseball while at anchor). I will be replacing all
> cabin light bulbs with LEDs. I have the standard Raymarine electronics
> including autopilot but no chartplotter. I agree with his
> recommendations but I need you to help me prioritize. The new
> batteries right off the bat seem a no-brainer, but what else, the
> battery charger or the external regulator on the alternator? Does the
> battery charger really need to be relocated? The engine start battery
> can wait, I think. Following all I have read here about installing an
> engine start battery, I think I can do that myself. I also believe I
> can install a new battery charger, just changing out the old charger
> (plug and play, I hope). I?m hesitant to do too much immediately
> having not yet spent time on the water with this boat. Any thoughts
> you have to share and guidance to offer would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Mike
> "Further"
> Annapolis