[C320-list] Replacing Stem Fitting

[Graeme Clark]

I think the other issue is that a welder will be reluctant (or in my case refused outright) to make the repair on the boat (heat transfer I guess?) so the fitting has to be removed first whatever choice you take-  repair or replace.  Catalina Direct require you to send the old one to them so they can pattern match for exactly hole drillings and charge $250 and you will have a significant wait.

Any half competent marine fabricator should be able to make you one up from scratch for less than that and probably a sight faster too!

That article was written by me following a failure on a boat I owned a share of prior to owning my own. Luckily I wasn't onboard at the time!  My own boat is showing just the tiniest signs of the same thing starting to happen so I plan to get it fixed ASAp.

Graeme




> On 3 May 2021, at 14:32, Stephen Cox <scox at timmin.com> wrote:
> 
> The original design is faulty and prone to crevice corrosion.  A competent welder may restore it to the original condition but the design will still be prone to failing over time.  Better to replace the fitting rather than attempt to repair it IMHO.  See https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwif-azoza3wAhUWzjgGHTPGByoQFjACegQIBBAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.catalina320.com%2Ffilemgmt_data%2Ffiles%2FStemhead%2520Article.pdf&usg=AOvVaw32uKnZY0Z1tTrUFSvJSFzR for an article showing what happens.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Stephen Cox
> Tegwen #1141
> 
>> 
>> Is a complete new assembly required? Seems to me a competent 
>> SS welder could repair it. It needs to come off in any case. 
>> JohnM
>> 1999#574
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On May 3, 2021, at 5:45 AM, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Photo (possibly ) of my locker here
>>> 
>>> https://share.icloud.com/photos/06_k8i2Pfl8mXT4hXJgOSYP-Q
>>> 
>>> Graeme
>>> 
>>> Sent from my phone. Excuse typos! 
>>> 
>>>> On 3 May 2021, at 10:43, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> My anchor locker has an access port at the bow end - from 
>> the deck not the cabin. I don’t know if it will provide 
>> enough reach to get to the bolts but I hope so as I have the 
>> same issue although it’s not too bad yet!
>>>> 
>>>> Graeme
>>>> #366, 1996
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my phone. Excuse typos! 
>>>> 
>>>>>> On 3 May 2021, at 06:03, mseyler at cox.net wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have discovered a crack in the stainless steel stem 
>> fitting where 
>>>>> the forestay attaches to the deck, and will need to 
>> replace it.  I 
>>>>> am aware that Catalina Direct offers a fitting, and have 
>> a request 
>>>>> pending to Catalina Parts department for a quote on a replacement 
>>>>> fitting.  But my question is, how would I get to the nuts 
>> on the bolts holding the fitting to the stem?
>>>>> As best I can tell there is no access unless I could 
>> reach all the 
>>>>> way around the from the aft side of the anchor locker, 
>> and I don't 
>>>>> think my arms are long enough.  Has anyone replaced this 
>> fitting on 
>>>>> their 320? Do I need to cut an access port in the front 
>> side of the 
>>>>> anchor locker to reach the underside of the fitting?  Any 
>> insight would be greatly appreciated.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Mark Seyler
>>>>> 
>>>>> S/V Reality,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Catalina 320, #232
>>>>> 
>>>>> New Orleans, LA
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>> 
>