Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.
In cold climates where yachts are decommissioned
during the winter, your
Catalina 25 may be safely stored in the water.
provided adequate measures
are taken to prevent ice damage to the hull.
Check with your yard to determine
the feasibility of storing in the water.
When the boat is to be stored on land, the mast
may be left stepped on
the deck. However, it is recommended that the
mast be removed at the time
of hauling for a thorough inspection and
preparation for next season.
This allows plenty of time over the winter months
to order and replace
shrouds or rigging parts, avoiding any delays in
the spring commissioning.
Following proper lay-up procedures will minimize
the effort needed to
recommission in the spring.
BEFORE HAULING:
1. Consult manufacturer's
instructions for winterizing any optional
or
owner-installed equipment.
2. Inspect the cradle on
which the boat will be stored. Check welds
and
padded poppits for condition and repair as required.
3. Lift the boat with
straps at the locations illustrated.
AFTER HAULING:
1. Wash bottom, removing
growth and loose paint.
2. wash topsides, deck
and all other exterior fiberglass surfaces.
Wax all
except the non-skid surfaces.
3. Remove all sails.
Follow sail maker's instructions or instructions
in
section 3.8 with regard to cleaning. Schedule any repairs required
and
store in a dry place.
4. Remove all sheets and
lines, clean and store in a dry place.
5. If the mast has been
removed from the yacht. remove all stays and
shrouds
from mast. Wash the entire stay or shroud assembly, using
fresh
water and a stiff brush. Dry thoroughly and coil into large.
non-kinking coils. Store coils in a dry place. wash and wax all
spars.
Coil halyards into non-kinking coils and put in a dark-colored
plastic
bag to protect from sunlight, if storing outdoors. Lash
them to
the mast. Store the mast either inside or outside with
adequate support along its length.
6. If mast is to be left in place, remove boom: clean
and store as
described before. Clean shroud/stay end
fittings. toggles, etc..
using fresh water and a stiff brush. Apply
a light coat of silicone
grease. paying particular attention to the
end fittings where they
connect to the stays and shrouds.
7. Clean and lubricate all deck hardware that contains
moveable parts.
Follow manufacturer's instructions on
winches.
8. Remove all gear such as books, documents, bedding.
PFD's, anything
moveable that is subject to rust, corrosion
or mildew.
9. Remove all food supplies from lockers and ice chest.
Wash out
ice chest interior with a weak solution of
Chlorox. Leave ice
chest lid open.
10. Stored batteries should be fully charged. and both
positive and
negative terminals should be disconnected.
The batteries may be
either left aboard or stored in a cool, dry
place. Sub-zero temperatures
will not harm a fully charged battery.
11. Winterize the head system in accordance with
manufacturer's instructions.
12. Remove all electronic gear that may require servicing
during the
winter.
13. Remove fire extinguishers for weighing, checking and any
necessary
re-charging.
14. If cushions are left aboard. bring cockpit cushions below
and place
all cushions on edge to encourage
ventilation.
15. Leave all interior lockers open to encourage ventilation.
16. Ensure that cockpit and deck scuppers are open and free.
17. If the boat is to be covered, ensure that the cover is
installed
in such a way as to provide adequate
ventilation, and that the
cover is not permitted to chafe against the
hull or deck.
18. If the boat is not to be covered. ensure that winches are
provided
with adequate covers.
19. If the mast is to remain stepped, snug all shrouds and
halyards
to minimize noise, wear and chafe.
GENERAL NOTES:
We recommend the following procedures be followed when
storing the yacht
for prolonged winter months. Begin by consulting your
authorized dealer
about storing the boat in or out of the water in
fleeting climates. If
at all possible, the manufacturer recommends keeping
the yacht in dry storage
for severe winters.
All through hull fittings should be drained and closed
off. Water in the
sanitation system and other tanks should be pumped out.
Fill the lines
and fittings with anti-freeze to prevent water from
running in. freezing
or expanding, or cracking the lines and fittings.
Outboard motors should be removed, serviced and stored
in a warm. dry location
until reinstalled when commissioning.
6.0 0WNER - USER RESPONSIBILITY
6.1 GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:
1. Do not venture out
when the weather conditions are unfavorable.
or are
predicted to become so. Listen to the weather forecasts:
check
with your Harbor Patrol Office; look out for small craft
storm
warnings.
2. Be especially careful
in areas where there may be commercial shipping
traffic. Keep well away from shipping channels. Keep a sharp
look-out when crossing the shipping channels.
3. Learn the rules of the
road. All other sailors will expect that
you
know them and abide by them. The U.S. Coast Guard (BBE-2)
400 S.
Eleventh Street S.W., Washington, DC 20590, will supply
free
literature on this. Your local branch or Harbor Patrol Office
may
have it available.
4. If your boat has a
genoa sail which obscures the helmsman's vision.
have a
dependable person in the crew keep a sharp look-out under
the jib
sail for oncoming traffic.
5. When sailing at night,
provide safety harnesses for yourself and
your
crew, and tie these lines to the boat. Use approved harnesses.
6. Purchase all Coast
Guard required safety equipment, and learn how
to use
it.
7. Enroll in a C.G. class
or other certified boating and sailing class.
You
will learn a lot and enjoy sailing even more.
8. Do not take more than
a safe number of persons aboard your boat
when
sailing.
9. Marine insurance is
worth every penny you pay for it. Take out
insurance from the start. See your dealer for a recommended marine
agent.
if you do not have one.
10. Keep all seat hatches and
main hatch closed during rough
weather
or gusty winds which could unexpectedly strike the boat
and
cause a knock-down.
11. CAUTION! The aluminum mast
and the metal parts conduct electricity.
Coming
in contact with or approaching an electrical power
line
can be fatal. Stay away from overhead power lines
and
wires of any kind when launching, underway or stationary.
12. The pop top should be in
the down position and securely fastened
when
under way. Do not stand on the pop top when it is in the
up
position.
13. When pop top is in up-right
position, use the slide on the mast
to
secure it in position.
6.2 REQUIRED MINIMUM SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
FIRE EXTINGUISHER(S):
It is wise to locate a minimum of two, approved
for marine use. fire
extinguishers. One for forward of the galley and
one aft of the galley,
preferably below the cockpit hatch. Should a
galley stove or engine fire
start, you can always reach a fire extinguisher.
Dry chemical extinguishers should be inverted
occasionally to prevent the
contents from packing. Extinguishers should be
recharged yearly or after
each use. according to manufacturer's
recommendations.
PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES:
Keep a Coast Guard approved P.F.D. on board for
each crew member. Wear
them during rough weather and night sailing.
Children and non-swimmers
should wear vest. at all times, no matter how
much they object.
HORN:
Your yacht should be equipped with a horn capable
of producing a blast
that can be heard for a distance of one mile.
FLARES:
The law requires that your yacht be equipped with
a minimum of three (3)
day/night flares.
3 SUGGESTED SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY PACKAGE:
MEDICAL KIT:
A basic medical kit is a wise investment for any
boat owner. Suggested
items include: Motion sickness pills, aspirin,
bandages, etc. We recommend
that you personalize your medical supplies for
yourself and your crew members'
specific needs. First aid kits are available at
most marine stores. Consult
your physician for recommendations if you are
planning a voyage away from
medical facilities. A first aid procedure book is
a necessity.
A varied arrangement of tools is. again, a wise
investment to have on your
boat. Tailor your tool box for the conditions
that you sail. For local
sailing, with professional help just a phone call
away. you only need a
small array of tools. However. for long-range
cruising, a more extensive
supply of tools will be needed. Your mechanic may
be helpful in suggesting
tools required for your particular engine
installation.
6.4 FACTORY OPTION:
SAFETY PACKAGE,
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
INCLUDES
1 each Danforth 13-5
Anchor
1 each Campbell 1/4· X
6' Vinyl Coated Chain
1 each New England
7/16" X 200 Anchor Line w/Splice
2 each Seadog 5/16"
Galvanized Anchor Shackle
2 each Taylor ·Big
B" 6 X 15 Fender w/line
14 feet New England 7/16"
White Nylon Fender Line (2X5')
1 each Gladding White
Throwable Cushion
1 each Holland Folding
Aluminum Radar Reflector
1 each Olin Alerter Flare
Kit
1 each Watsco MH1 Freon
Air Hem
1 each Seadog 455000
Brass Bell
1 each Kidde 1OBC Fire
Extinguisher
1 each Healer 10210 Small
Craft First Aid Kit
1 each Fulton 93
Flashlight
1 package Union Carbide E95 BP-2 Alkaline
(D Cells)
5 each Gladding AF-300
Adult Life Jacket Type II
1 each Chapman's
Piloting. Seamanship, Small Boat Handling
2 each New England 1/2 X
15 Dock Lines
6.5 ANCHOR ANCHORING AND MOORING:
The anchor manufacturer suggests an anchor in the 13 to 16
pound range,
to be used as a bow anchor in ordinary conditions. This
anchor will only
be effective with at least 6 feet of 1/4 inch gauge or
heavier chain and
at least 7/16 inch nylon line or heavier.
Under adverse weather conditions, as much as a 25 pound bow
anchor could
prove necessary and, possibly, a plough-type anchor might be
required.
Inquire in your local area about anchoring procedures
relative to the place
you plan to visit. Get opinions from several experienced
people and always
play it on the safe side in "making up" your anchor
as well as in using
it. Do not forget to wire all shackle pins so they cannot
come loose under
water.
REMEMBER: Lighter anchors are made more
effective by increasing the
scope: i.e., the ratio of length of line and chain to depth
of water. A 7:1 ratio is recommended. This means using
7 feet of anchor line for each foot in water depth.
6.6 LIGHTNING PRECAUTIONS:
Your yacht was not provided with a lightning protection
system during construction.
The reasons are as follows:
1. These is not a procedure for lightning
protection which has proven
reliable under all
conditions. Yachts with elaborate lightning
protection systems have
sustained serious damage from a direct
lightning strike.
2. If the builder were to assert that the
yacht was lightning protected,
it could instill a false
sense of security in the owner or operator.
leading to
less-than-prudent actions when lightning threatens.
3. Lightning systems are "out of
sight. out of mind", except when
lightning threatens.
Generally, they are not checked and maintained
on a regular basis. A
defect in the system (i.e.. a break in a
ground line) could, in
some cases, increase the risk of personal
harm, as well as damage
to the yacht. as compared to a yacht with
no protection. The reason
for this is that many lightning protection
systems distribute the
high voltage throughout the yacht before
allowing it to exit
through the ground.
4. It is impossible for Catalina Yachts to
control changes which you.
the owner. may make to
the yacht which could affect lightning protection
systems.
You, the owner, must
decide whether or not you wish to equip your
yacht with lightning
protection and, if so. the method of doing
it. For your guidance, a
copy of the ABYC recommendations is attached.
The following suggestions
and comments are also offered:
A. Keep
the system as simple as possible. This will facilitate
both installation and inspection/maintenance. Perhaps
a single over-size ground (battery cable) from the mast
base to the engine, coupled with external shroud grounds
will maximize reliability.
B. ABYC
recommends straight-line wire runs. This is virtually
impossible within the yacht. For grounding the shrouds:
A battery cable. which clips to each shroud and extends
outside the yacht to the water, can minimize the number
of bends required. This method has the added advantage
of keeping the power surge outside the boat, and allowing
easy, routine inspection. The obvious disadvantage is
that the clip on cables is not a permanent installation
and may not be in place when an unexpected lightning strike
occurs.
C. Use only top quality materials and go oversize
wherever
possible.
D. Keep all permanent attachment points
and connections where
they are readily available for inspection, yet protected
from damage or inadvertent disconnection.
Factory installed metal tanks, 110 volt systems and major components are
grounded to the engine. The engine is grounded via the shaft and propeller
to the water. The purpose of internal grounding is for static charge control
and accidental shorts in the internal systems -- not to provide lightning
protection. However, you can incorporate the ground lines present in a
lightning protection system which you may wish to add.
By far. the most important consideration regarding lightning is observing
common sense safety precautions when lightning threatens. The key considerations
are listed in the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) publication, which
is reprinted herein.