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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

first overnight on the boat

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86Cat25
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/10/2006 : 12:48:54

Recently 3 friends and i sailed my C25 through the narrows from Destin FL to Navarre Beach FL. During this 3 day trip we ran into plenty of trouble and i thought the experienced hands on this site might be able to help me with at least a few of the problems.
The first problem encounted was the heat. Even with the forward hatch open and the companion way door, the cabin stayed hot and unbareable. The breeze was steady most of the night but even then it was hot. Do most of you mount 12 volt fans in your cabins for such occasions as a summer time trip?
Our second problem was mosquitos and an even smaller biting bug called a nosee'um. We attempted to use Off to keep the bugs out but that didnt stop them. Were thinking of screens. Can we buy premade screens somewhere or should we look into making our own?
Our final problem occured on the return trip home while sailing down wind with a symmetrical spinnaker in high winds(15 knots maybe). Our AMCO extendable spinnaker pole got bent in the center at about a 90 degree angle. Anybody parting with a pole for cheap?
Thank you for your feedback.

Andrew Miller
Niceville, FL
"Es Muy Bueno"
'86 TR/FK

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 13:11:28

For hatch and companionway screen try these. People have also sewn their own screens with weights with no-see-um screen fabric that you can find at most Army/Navy stores.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6880|6881|301239&id=147027

Edited by - on

DaveC25
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 13:48:50

As far as the Spinnaker, I am not a spinnaker user myself but from what I understand they are a light air sail, so probably if the wind is greater than 10 knts you might be better off to just use a 150 genoa when running.

Someone else may disagree.

As far as the heat, were you anchored or did you put into a slip? I prefer to anchor whenever possible because the boat will then point towards the wind and with the front hatch open the air flows through really well. This also helps with the bugs if there is alot of fetch windward.

Screens also help with bugs alot, but I haven't used any so far. I've used some "Deepwoods Off" and it seems to fend off the stray misquito that might happen by while at anchor.

-DaveC25

Edited by - DaveC25 on 08/10/2006 13:51:55

Jonathan Cuff
Navigator

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Cayman Island
173 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 15:40:18

Hi

We have similar heat issues on Grand Cayman with heat and biting insects. We bought screens from www.catalinaowners.com and they have proved very successful in keeping the bugs away. We have also installed a couple of 12v fans which help a little with the heat, although this time of year it's still very sticky. The Davis windscoop device helps out a lot, but you can't you that with a bug screen!

Cheers Jonathan

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 18:52:55

I'm not a big fan of extendable spinnaker poles,especially under conditions of 15 knots. I think you'd be far better off with a solid pole.

As for airflow, some speak highly of Chutescoops mounted at the forward hatch.

Others prefer their generator equiped air conditioned C-42s.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 19:43:37

"12 volt fans in your cabins "

That's the ticket... You can get portable battery powered fans that work pretty well too. I've found that I can be comfortable in very hot, humid conditions as long as I have a breeze on my face.

'O2 Cool' makes a nice box fan that moves a lot of air, is quiet and is very easy on batteries. Highly recommended.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 20:59:25

Even with some air flowing from the forward hatch to the companionway, the v-berth can be stuffy and the quarterberth is worse. It might not be good for three, but have you considered rigging a convertible "bridge" in the main salon for an athwartship queen-sized bed? That allows the breeze to flow over you, rather than avoiding you. I believe a few conversions are described in the Tech Tips, and have been discussed on the forum in the past.

It generally takes a couple of pieces of plywood, a few boards to attach permanently as supports on the two sides, and (in the traditional interior) probably a collapsable or removable center support. The dinette interior is easier to convert--a much smaller bridge is needed. I found that the second cushion for the quarterberth--the one that goes under the companionway steps--is just the right width for the dinette aisle, but just a little too long, so I had it shortened.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2006 : 08:49:26

I made my own screens. For the forehatch, I sewed a sort of puptent shape which fits over the open hatch. I sewed a wide tube or tunnel in the hem. I pulled a string of bead-shaped lead weights into the hem to hold the screen down around the bottom.

For the companionway, I made a screen with tubular hems which covers the entire opening with the hatch slid forward. I sewed an additional tunnel or tube where the cover takes a tight turn the back of the horizontal opening. I put a flexible fiberglass rod through the front hem, long enough to slip under both cabin top hand rails. I added another fiberglass rod which rests on top of the outer tracks for the drop in crib- or wash-boards. At the bottom hem, I slid in a piece of small PVC pipe short enough to just fit between the cockpit seats.

The screens are easy to install, easy to get past entering and leaving the cabin, store compactly, and were quick and inexpensive to make. When selecting a screen configuration, consider the advantages of screens which don't interfere with quickly closing the hatches from inside the boat when a rain shower occurs suddenly during the night.

Another inexpensive hot weather comfort accessory would be a deck canopy. I use a silver colored poly tarp large enough to reach both ends of the boom, and out to slightly past the lifelines. (In my mind silver poly tarps don't make quite as tacky an impression as the blue ones, but I may just be rationalizing.

) I sewed three tubular tunnels into the tarp, one across each end, and one across the middle. Into these tunnels I slid very light PVC tubes to act as battens, spreading the tarp and creating much more room under it. I added light lines from the ends of the PVC down to the lifelines, which helps to position and stablize the canopy. With such a deck canopy in place, the main hatch can be left open in all but the worst summer showers.

With a bit more sewing, a similar triangular shaped canopy could be fabricated for the foredeck, from the bow pulpit to the pole ring on the mast, and down and out to the lifelines. In addition to shading the foredeck when at anchor during the day, this canopy would also allow the forehatch to remain open in light rain.

For 12V fans, I use a couple of 'muffin' style computer equipment cooling fans. The ball bearing ones in particular are very quiet, and don't draw much current. I have a 5" or 6" muffin fan at the dinette table, and I position a tiny 2" or so CPU fan blowing on my head and face when I go to bed. As someone else mentioned, having air flow across my face reduces the feeling of stuffiness.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2006 : 11:05:56

I agree with Mark, a rigid pole is best for off wind stuff in those wind conditions. I use a twist lock in 10 or less for long distances with my asym or 135 genny.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2006 : 11:21:53

I have three of these mounted; one over the aft berth, one forward and one in the head. Plus a small portable battery operated one I can move around.

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 21:15:56

Hi old and new friends. It's been quite a while since I have posted but this question was one of my first also. For bugs I used Deet or deat spelling ? I made my spin pole from a 3 section boat hook pole. Bought end pieces from West Marine and cemmented them on in place of the end caps. I think I spent about $40 or $50. Mosquito coils worked too for bugs. Kind of reminded me of the incense from the 60's. I also bought a cheap wind scoop for the forward hatch. Everything worked. Hope it does for you too.

Edited by - on

eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2006 : 21:31:53

Andrew,

I live on Boggy Bayou. I have a great way to stay cool on the boat. Take your next trip in October! I'm not sure there is any other way to do here in August.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2006 : 08:52:47

Hi Doug and Ruth... You've moved up from the Alberg? (Big time!)

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.