Messages

1

Hull and Rig / Re: Mast boot

« on: December 29, 2020, 09:40:42 am »

There's a number of different ways to do this, especially depending upon what's there already.  A couple weeks ago, I renewed mine.  I wrap rubber from a vehicle inner tube to cover the mast/deck joint, held in place with duct tape. Then make up a sunbrella cover for that to keep the sun off the rubber. This will be good for several years.  You may still find some rain water running down the mast internally from the halyards, and I haven't found a way to stop that yet.  If you find out, please let me know.

2

Engines and Drive Train / Fuel tank cleaning & fuel polishing

« on: October 28, 2020, 07:36:59 pm »

Not too long ago, I came back from a 7 day cruise in the Keys on the oceanside. While returning home we were passed by a huge powerboat in the channel. The wake rolled my boat around and stirred up all the sediment in the bottom of my tanks.
Sailed into a port and blew out the fuel tank pickups the next day with the air pump from the dinghy.  The fuel was clean otherwise, and the dual Racors
 were also clean.  The clog was in the fuel pickups.
Afterwards, I hired a tank and fuel polishing service to do the job.  Since they used clear pipes, I was able to see the amount of gunk and asphaltines they cleaned off the sides and bottoms of the fuel tanks.
Now I can rest assured this won't happen again for a number of years.
Happy cruising!

3

Swap Meet / Re: Portholes Csy44

« on: October 28, 2020, 07:19:50 pm »

Hi Renewed,
My port hole pass thru from the galley to the cockpit is bronze, marked PERKO, and is a different size from all the other port holes in the boat.  If Perko doesn't make it anymore, perhaps you can get your measurements and try another manufacturer, e.g., Newfound Metals, or find one in plastic if that's what the budget calls for. If it's a bit larger, you can always enlarge the opening in the bulkhead.
Good luck.
Matthew

4

General Discussion / Re: Greetings from a new CSY44 WO owner

« on: October 28, 2020, 06:55:10 pm »

Hi Darren,
On my 44 W/O, the forward waste tank is under the Vberth. The aft head waste tank is under the port cockpit locker.
Matthew

5

Hull and Rig / Re: Winches - re-Chrome

« on: October 04, 2020, 08:09:44 pm »

If it's still helpfull, I dug out the receipts left by the previous owner of my boat.  He had the 2 sheet winches and the mainsheet winch re-chromed in 2005.  Cost was $400 plus tax.  15 years later, they are still perfect.  I made up some sunbrella covers for them a couple years ago, so they should stay that way for a long time.

Name of company is Airco Plating Co, Inc., 3650 NW 46 St, Miami, FL 33142. Phone #305 633 2476.

6

General Discussion / Re: USCG Builder Plate?

« on: September 12, 2020, 12:04:31 pm »

Perhaps the officer is referring to the TXY....... numbers that are molded into the hull at the upper starboard side of the transom? 
Those same numbers should be on your registration/documentation papers also, and they will identify the manufacturer and State of origin.

7

Systems / Propane Locker

« on: September 03, 2020, 07:07:35 pm »

It's rainy season where I live, and I noticed that the propane locker on my boat was collecting water, (CSY 44 WO).  I keep 2 aluminum tanks there plus a few of the steel 1# tanks for the BBQ.
I found the thru hull drain to be plugged.  It has a very fine screen in the thruhull that can collect bits of corrosion and other stuff.  It's very dangerous to have the drain plugged because it was designed to vent any propane leaks overboard.
The easiest way I found to clear the thru hull and pipe was to get in the inflatable dinghy alongside and use its foot pump to push the blockage out of the thru hull and pipe with compressed air.  Afterwards, some vinegar can be run downhill to clear it out completely.
Finished the job with a new gasket on the locker lid and new caulking on the sheet winch and cleat.
Good to check on this every now and then.

8

General Discussion / Re: CSY44 - Sailing vs Motor/Sailing vs Motoring

« on: August 10, 2020, 12:21:51 pm »

Hi Kevin,
Yes we are in Miami Beach.  We can easily do daylight runs down to the Keys or over to Bimini with ample time to clear customs, etc.  Key West to Marina Hemingway is an overnighter.
The boat is not a racer, not sailing as close to the wind as a racer, but it has a good turn of speed when dialed in and with a clean bottom.
When you get to cruising you will have more time to make good decisions about when to sail and weather choices, as long as you don't have to sail to some distant island now to meet a guest at an airport, you'll do just fine and the boat will take care of you.

9

General Discussion / Re: CSY44 - Sailing vs Motor/Sailing vs Motoring

« on: August 10, 2020, 08:50:55 am »

Hi Kevin,
These boats sail quite well.  I only use the motor to get in and out of the slip and thru the bridges.  Several have sailed across the Pacific, and then some! These boats are located all over the world.
On long passages, you must sail mainly since 100 gallons of diesel will only get you so far.  The best advice is to carefully pick your weather and never set sail according to someone else's schedule.
Matthew

10

Systems / Re: CSY 44 Pilot House keel water tank location

« on: June 04, 2020, 10:09:05 am »

Hi John,
I'm not very familiar with the Pilot House design and can't say if it has a water tank near the keel.  However, I would start by tracing the fresh water supply pipe that feeds the pump.  On the Walk Over model, the tanks are built into the hull sides directly beneath the center cockpit.  It's different on the Walk Thru model, too.  Hopefully another P/H owner will respond... Good luck.

11

Systems / Re: CSY 37 water tank vent problems

« on: May 05, 2020, 07:42:30 am »

It sounds like your vent pipes are clogged or crimped.  Bees and other insects have been known to build nests in vent pipes.  I can only suggest that you disconnect the pipe from the tank and try to blow it out if you haven't done so already.

12

Engines and Drive Train / Re: Replacing the Prop Shaft on a 33

« on: February 07, 2020, 08:55:11 am »

Hi Max, I replaced the shaft, flexible coupling and cutless bearing on my previous boat.   I reconditioned the bronze stuffing box, it was fine, but replaced its rubber hose and hose clamps.  The bronze shaft log pipe stayed in.
You will probably need some tools.  A sawsall to cut the cutless bearing out, a micrometer to measure the inner diameter of the shaft log.  This is critical, since the outer diameter of the cutless bearing will need to be machined down so that you can freeze it and gently tap it in for a very tight fit.  Put everything back together and realign the engine with feeler guage, best done after you splash as the hull takes a slightly different shape when it's blocked on the hard. So it would be good to check the condition of your engine mounts beforehand.  Mine were worn out and rusty, as it was an old boat, and they needed replacing, too.
Hope this helps.  Some other members with specific information on your boat may be able to provide better guidance.
Matthew

13

Systems / Re: Lithium Battery System

« on: January 11, 2020, 12:08:57 pm »

I have not done this yet for the main battery bank.  However, there is a lot of discussion about this on the Cruisers and Sailing forum.  That forum site would be worth a look for more information. From what I have seen there are some special considerations regarding the voltage regulator and solar charge controller settings, as well as other tips for an optimum system.
Matthew

14

General Discussion / Re: What are the best batteries for small devices?

« on: October 28, 2019, 11:42:43 am »

Hi Sherry, that does help very much.  I will give them a try.  Thank you!
Matthew

15

General Discussion / What are the best batteries for small devices?

« on: October 26, 2019, 04:51:47 pm »

I am looking for a brand and battery chemistry to purchase for small devices such as clocks, thermostats, flashlights, CO detectors and testing tools.  I have been using Duracell for these, but find that even the very "fresh" batteries hardly last a year before they begin to leak and ruin these devices.  Perhaps this is due to the high temps, humidity and salinity here in So. Florida.
I normally change these small batteries out once a year at about this season when the time changes.
I was thinking of switching over to the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries because they are guaranteed not to leak and corrode the device.
Does anyone have a better suggestion to remedy this issue?
Thanks,
Matthew