The Cat's Tales

Catalinas of Santa Monica Bay and Catalina 36 – Fleet #1

February 2003

John Celick — Newsletter Editor\Treasurer

http://www.catalinasmbay.org/

From the Captain of the Fleet:

“Our first meeting of the year was well attended and we all enjoyed Fred Huffman's presentation on the Transpac. The new big screen at SMWYC enabled all to see the colorful videos very well.

"Someone like you" is what we are shooting for at this February meeting. We all know at least one Catalina owner who would enjoy being part of our group. Please make an effort to bring one or more potential members to our February meeting, it should be an interesting meeting with Charlie Segal as our speaker (see article below). Remember it’s our pizza and salad dinner night.

“I look forward to seeing you there!”

Your Fleet Captain, Hal Avery

Speaker on February 18th: One of our Own

We are pleased to have one of our own as our speaker on Tuesday evening. In 2001, following the race to Puerto Vallarta, Charlie Segal along with his two sons and another couple set off from P.V. on the sailboat Ariel. They visited Chacala, San Blas, the bird sanctuary on Isabella Island, and then sailed over to Mazatlan. From there they went inland, no, not by boat, and finished their trip by going to the famous Copper Canyon.  Charlie will discuss his trip and adventures along with some slides. Because of the proximity of Mexico and the famous Copper Canyon this should prove to be an interesting presentation.

Hal Avery

TECH TALK: Small Generators On-board by Bob White and Norm Perron
 
Bob and I have been asked about how our Honda generators have worked-out on-board… 
 
Bob Says:
 
Last year, at the beginning of a two week trip to Cat Harbor, my 1986 Catalina 36 boat alternator failed. This meant that I couldn’t charge my batteries by running the boat motor.  I chose to have my wife return to the mainland and buy a portable, low noise and light-weight, Honda generator. She then “smuggle it” in a duffle bag back to Catalina Island on the ferry. It was an excellent choice, as both  the generator and wife have served me well. The trip was saved and I was able to have the boat’s alternator  repaired at my leisure when I returned to the mainland. The combination of a portable generator, Smart Link 10 Amp Meter and Smart 40amp battery charger, provides easy power management for extended trips (more than a weekend) to Catalina Island.  We expend about 100 amp hours a day, as monitored by my Smart Link 10, and about  2.5 hours of battery charging time a day is sufficient. The generator noise is low and my mooring neighbors seem to accept that period of time. The generator will just charge at 40 amps providing all other loads are turned off. In summary, anything that will extend a boat trip and allow a wife to share has got to be good.
 
 
TECH TALK: Small Generators On-board (Continued)
 
Norm Says:
 
My primary goal was to heat water with a small, quiet, lightweight package. The other goal was to be able to charge batteries, run a small wattage hair dryer and maybe run the microwave. I chose the same unit Bob did, a Honda EU1000i generator. This unit can run the built-in hot water heater (with a rectifier, see below) and charge batteries that are mostly discharged. It has a high enough rating to run the microwave (rated at 850 watts), but, due to surges the microwave requires, the generator trips when the microwave is turned on. The solution to this is to run the generator charging batteries and the inverter providing juice to the microwave. This scheme is not quite as efficient as running the microwave directly off the generator, but gets the job done very well.
 
The toughest decision was which unit to buy, 1000 or 2000 watt unit. The major factor for me was weight, 34 versus 55 lbs (full of gas). This way Charlene can move it to the bow easily and I can handle it in more adverse conditions. Another factor was storage, 1.4 versus 2.2 cubic feet. Another, smaller, factor was that the 1000 watt unit costs about $225 less.
 
Based on my requirements and the fact the EU1000i could satisfy them, it is what I chose. The EU2000i is a better unit if you don't want to use a rectifier, want to heat water quicker, run the microwave (like mine) without the inverter, run a larger battery charger (mine is 35 amps, EU1000i can run up to 40 amp charger, I believe), run a larger hair dryer, run more than one of these tasks at the same time or are stronger than Charlene.
 
Rectifier--How you run a 1500 watt heating element with a 900 watt (continuous) generator. This small solid-state device cuts off 1/2 of the AC sine-wave, reducing some loads (including the load of a hot water heater) to 1/2 their requirement. In this case, the heating element draws 750 watts, which is well within the continuous 900 watt capacity of a 1000 watt generator. Since there is no free lunch, it takes twice as long as a 1500 watt supply. I did install a "bypass" switch, so, when on shore power, can still heat with 1500 watts.

Bob White and Norm Perron

Editor’s Note:

Brian Frankish, Craig Fritzsche and I have opted for the 2000 watt model. Yes, it is a little heavier and doesn’t stow as easily as the 1000 watt unit. Craig says his generator will run the hi-output battery charger up to 75 amps which really shortens the daily generator run. Between extended trips (over 5 days), I don’t leave the unit aboard the boat; but, haul it home to be used in case of an extend power outage. It will run a refrigerator, TV and some lights and is quiet enough to run in the backyard with an extension cord run back into the house. 

Editor: John Celick

 
1st Cruise of 2003, Sunday, March 9 – Norm’s Short Cruise
 
For our MdR sailors, this is a very "short" cruise. This cruise used to be called "Show & Tell" & there still is a fair amount of "showing" & "telling" of modifications made to our boats. It has been renamed "Norm's Short Cruise", reducing the need to have the boat in "Bristol" condition. Now, it is mostly a "social" event and is still a very good incentive to get your boat ready for Spring sailing.
 
We should plan to get to the Guest Docks around 11:00am. The "long" dock is the only one that allows us to tie up for 4 hours at no cost. If we have an overflow, and we usually do, we'll tie up in the slips. Officially, they charge for those, but we've never paid in the past. I talked to Jose, they guy in charge, and he penciled in our intentions. If anyone asks him, he will tell them of our event, hopefully discouraging any other large group.
 
Dick McKinney and some of his crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be there to conduct "Courtesy Marine Safety Checks” if you’d like. This friendly and helpful inspection usually takes less than 30 minutes. All of us that "pass" (just about everybody does) will get a decal to affix on the exterior of the boat, indicating it has been checked for safety items. Dick can explain to anyone the benefits of such a decal. A copy of the form he fills-out is included in this newsletter to assist you in preparation for the “Safety Check.” In summary, the most important items are flares that are current (you may want to visit West Marine prior to this event) and fire extinguishers (…with the gauge showing not empty).
 
As in the past, you should plan to bring a dish to share. We have also been known to have a few cocktails during this event.
 
The only thing I ask is that everyone that plans on taking their boat there, please, tell me of your intentions so I can get a feel as to how much space we need. 

Cruise Chairman: Norm Perron

Membership Note:

If a dues notice is included, one of two things has happened: your check has passed in the mail (Thanks, and just ignore this), or we haven’t received your dues and we’d like you to, please, send in your check right now. The roster is going to be prepared shortly. Thanks.

Membership Chairperson: Gisela Dawson

Coming Events

Date:	Event:	Remarks:
Tuesday, February 18	Meeting	Bring a Catalina Owner to Dinner as our Guest, Pizza and Salad Dinner at SMWYC, Speaker is Charlie Segal
Sunday, March 9	Short Cruise	“Show ‘n Tell,” Norm’s Very Short Cruise to Mdr Guest Docks, USCG Aux. Exams Available,
Saturday, March 15	Tradition	SMWYC Opening Day, Fleet Members assist to say, “Thank you !” for use of the facilities at SMWYC for our meetings.
Tuesday, March 18	Meeting	Pot Luck Dinner at SMWYC, Speaker TBA

Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club, 13589 Mindinao Way,

Cocktails at 6:30, Dinner at 7:30