[C320-list] How long after launch?

[Joe Grande]

My experience: RIGHT AWAY. The raw water thru hull under the aft stateroom will have a head of pressure coupled with the Rae water impeller will deliver coolant water to the engine immediately.
Joe Grande
Whisper #772, 2000


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From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Mark Seyler via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 12:49:40 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Cc: mseyler at cox.net <mseyler at cox.net>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] How long after launch?

I'm in the water year-round, and only haul out for new bottom paint every 2-3 years.  Like Dave, I have to run the engine as soon as we are splashed, to clear the travel lift slip.  I've never had a problem with doing so.

But I have always heard that if anything in the drive train was disconnected while on the hard, the boat should be in the water for at least 24 hours to return to its normal shape before trying to align the prop shaft.  (I insisted on that a few years ago when I replaced my prop shaft.)  I don't know if that time should be extended if the boat was on the hard all winter.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Dave Hupe via C320-list
Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 2:37 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] How long after launch?

I have never heard of any recommended/needed delay.  In fact, as soon as the marina crew splashes our boats in the haulout well, they need us to move out since other boats are launching. However, there may be some initial slight misalignment of the engine and propeller shaft due to storage on the cradle versus being put back in the water. I have never noticed any problems with this, but also initially never travel more than a couple hundred feet to my slip and then the boat sits for a good while before motoring much early in the season.
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32
Holland,  MI

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  On Wed, Apr 3, 2024 at 3:23 PM, B. Stumpp via C320-list<c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:   What are your thoughts on how soon after launch can the engine be started?

We store our boat on a cradle from November to April, usually launching in mid-April.

You can tell how much the hull deforms during storage because operation of the head door and/or nav station lid will not close properly during storage.


I've heard varying opinions, what are your thoughts and recommendations?



Bruce Stumpp

647, Adventure

Frog Mortar Creek, Maryland