Bobcat and Catalac Assc Update by John Lack

Catalac Catamaran Maintenance Issues

The early Spring and Summer saw us slowly wading through the repairs, the first 5 being usable and in varying states of cosmetic completion for the Whitsun Rally, the more serious cases following up during the “summer” months.

The absence of the building company put a “further strain” on our already stretched resources, dealing with queries and supply of Catalac parts. However, with a few delays, I hope we managed to accommodate everyone and, indeed, I would like to thank those who did come to us, whether it was just advice required, a hinge or a complete engine installation package. Thank you.

To this date, I hate to admit we still have a 9m and a Sailfish 18 to complete, a ful1 12 months later. Perhaps we don’t drink the right lager!

Well, with that out of the way, my comments and observations noted this year….

Masts

I am still “coming across” incorrectly positioned masts, as reported the last time I wrote. So please, do check that they are upright in the tabernacles, otherwise distortion to the cabin top locally and possible bonding failure to bulkhead below may occur.

Tankage

Those of you with inboards fitted. This winter, check the state of your diesel tanks (not stainless ones ) , as some are now starting to rust through, especially at the lower margins. his being more significant on those tanks sited in the “transom” lockers.

Stemheads

Check carefully the welds on the upright webs. I have seen 3 this year with cracks appearing.

b) One incident of the fore aft bolts on the stemhead sheering off, causing the stemhead and, unfortunately the foredeck, to peel back like the sardine tin. This can “be checked from inside the anchor locker.

Stern Glands

(inboard diesels) Again another winter job! A batch of black plastic glands, where used at original installation, have distorted and have worn the shaft dramatically (where it cannot be seen). The earlier white threaded glands have proved even more unreliable, with the thread stripping, the result a rapid ingress of unwelcome sea water and submerged engines. A point worth remembering if your alternator or starter motor should become submerged and you are unable to strip it immediately and make good, place it in a bucket of fresh water (and leave it there) This will inhibit the corrosion/rusting process until more professional assistance is available.

Strippers (Weed/Rope cutters)

A great many are now fitted. If you are laylng-up ashore this year, obviously check the wear and condition but, more important, being a relatively expensive Item, they tend to “walk”. So perhaps cover them up to make removal more difficult or, of course, take them off!!

Electrical

A 9 metre sadly caught fire this year in the Mediterranean. Fortunately no-one was on board at the time but £20,000 of damage occurred. At present nobody is sure what caused it to start but it would appear to be associated with the gas fridge, as the seat of the fire was In that area. Accordingly, it would be as well to check the state of all gas feed pipes and connections, together with the appliance itself.

Cooker (stove)

Flavel Vanessa, the cooker manufacturers, have advised, via the October issue of P.B.O. that appliances with a serial number after those listed below may have been fitted with a faulty component – and they will arrange for a free safety check by one of their service engineers. Cookers (stove) after number 70972. Hotplate… after number 35376. Ovens after number 91155. The phone number to ring is 0926.27027. Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Rubber bits

I should have put this with Item 4, but worthy of a mention on its own. Those who have craft moored in the warmer climes are suffering a higher breakdown rate on the rubber based components used especially in engine installations, namely fuel hoses, exhaust hoses and the short lengths of hose used at the stern gland to stern tube connection. Again, worth while inspecting.

Anodes

Sacrificial Anodes Hopefully we are becoming more educated to their value relative to their cost and most craft have them fitted in one form or another. However, complacency should not be allowed to set in!

a) Do NOT antifoul over them – under any circumstances.

b) Tap them with a hammer to remove the deposit. Replace if wasted and change the studs, if fitted, at the same time.

c) Those moored in “fresh” water will find that the anode does not waste so
dramatically as a “calcium” like deposit forms over the surface and inhibits the
conductivity, causing the retaining stud to rust. Remove this deposit as frequently
as possible.

d) Finally, check all the internal wiring connections from the stud(s) to engine, P-brackets, etc.

Please do write or make contact, with any useful information you may have to give. Finally, an up-date on my own position.Tom Lack Multlhull Brokerage has had a very successful year, culminating with an almost bare cupboard following the Moodys Used Boat Show in September. With the need for a more technical and practicable back-up to the brokerage business, I have now joined that partnership with my parents, which will also allow Father to pursue and devote more time to his successful photographic work.

John Lack, as a trading business, remains unchanged by this move and I am, additionally, pleased to say that we have been appointed agents for the Yanmar range of diesel engines and spares.

It Is also my intention to continue to provide a full “After Sales” service to the Bobcat and Catalac classes and the new Catalac owners and I are in basic agreement that we shall be undertaking this service for their requirements and clients.

Let us all hope that despite the failure of the building company earlier this year, a period of stability will follow, which can only be beneficial to the Owners’ Association and to the Class itself.

Sincerely,

John