Diesel Fuel/water Filters

Since my engine is now 25+ years old and has never had a water separator in the fuel line I've concluded that I'm pushing my luck and should do something proactive before I really regret it. So, what are the recommendations from the group? What type of separator should I have? Should I have the tank drained and cleaned? My thinking was prompted by a problem a friend had with water in the fuel caused by a broken o-ring on the fill pipe. $6.00 for the o-ring at West Marine seems very expensive, but $500+ to have the tank pumped out and cleaned by a marina seems a lot worse.

Racor 500 series.... ----- Original Message ----- From: John Boyce To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 4:36 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Diesel Fuel/water Filters Since my engine is now 25+ years old and has never had a water separator in the fuel line I've concluded that I'm pushing my luck and should do something proactive before I really regret it. So, what are the recommendations from the group? What type of separator should I have? Should I have the tank drained and cleaned? My thinking was prompted by a problem a friend had with water in the fuel caused by a broken o-ring on the fill pipe. $6.00 for the o-ring at West Marine seems very expensive, but $500+ to have the tank pumped out and cleaned by a marina seems a lot worse.

This morning I was out on a friends sailboat and noticed that the rudder post was moving some from side to side from each swell. Does this sound like a bearing or bushing. Additionally, I have noticed that his wheel steering seems to be getting harder to rotate. Is there any correlation between the two? I would appreciate any feed back. Mark Cal 2-29 Pelican San Pedro, CA PS 4th of July we will be anchoring inside Cabrillo beach for the fireworks display, bands, etc. The bands on the beach near launching ramp begin at 4:30. It would be fun to meet other local Cal boat owners their. ----- Original Message ----- From: Sail Away To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 2:49 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Diesel Fuel/water Filters Racor 500 series.... ----- Original Message ----- From: John Boyce To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 4:36 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Diesel Fuel/water Filters Since my engine is now 25+ years old and has never had a water separator in the fuel line I've concluded that I'm pushing my luck and should do something proactive before I really regret it. So, what are the recommendations from the group? What type of separator should I have? Should I have the tank drained and cleaned? My thinking was prompted by a problem a friend had with water in the fuel caused by a broken o-ring on the fill pipe. $6.00 for the o-ring at West Marine seems very expensive, but $500+ to have the tank pumped out and cleaned by a marina seems a lot worse.

I don't see a reason to have you tank drained and cleaned if you haven't have a problem without a separator. I like the Racor 200 series with the primer pump and I installed a 215R2 two years ago. I also intalled a filter vacuum gauge which give you an early indication that the filter is clogged. I was told to use locktite on the connections. I think I used the blue locktite http://www.parker.com/parkersql/default.asp?type=2&id=27 Dave 80 Cal 35 Runnin Late Coyote Pt, SF Bay John Boyce <je… [at] adelphia.net> wrote: Since my engine is now 25+ years old and has never had a water separator in the fuel line I’ve concluded that I’m pushing my luck and should do something proactive before I really regret it. So, what are the recommendations from the group? What type of separator should I have? Should I have the tank drained and cleaned? My thinking was prompted by a problem a friend had with water in the fuel caused by a broken o-ring on the fill pipe. $6.00 for the o-ring at West Marine seems very expensive, but $500+ to have the tank pumped out and cleaned by a marina seems a lot worse. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Next-gen email? Have it all with the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.

I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out there for those with more experience with the boat. [Frank & Wendy] '79 Cal 31 CIYC on Lake Erie

A tiller would give you more room at anchor, but not necessarily while you are sailing, because of the arc the tiller would need to move when steering. Of course, if you change to tiller steering, you will need to remove the pedestal, patch the resulting hole, and relocate the compass and the throttle and transmission controls. Harleigh Ewell Cal 31 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank and Wendy Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 9:59 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out there for those with more experience with the boat. [Frank & Wendy] '79 Cal 31 CIYC on Lake Erie

Hang in there with the wheel on that boat. The cockpit is deliberately small to keep it from getting pooped in a heavy sea and dragging the boat down. \Rog Cal 29+ #1 Swiss Navy Cal 2-30 #77 St. Lori's Comet _____ From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank and Wendy Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 6:59 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out there for those with more experience with the boat. [Frank & Wendy] '79 Cal 31 CIYC on Lake Erie

Best thing wd be a little joystick, with a thumb button for dropping the anchor. };-> Nick From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Harleigh Ewell Sent: July 3, 2006 8:12 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel A tiller would give you more room at anchor, but not necessarily while you are sailing, because of the arc the tiller would need to move when steering. Of course, if you change to tiller steering, you will need to remove the pedestal, patch the resulting hole, and relocate the compass and the throttle and transmission controls. Harleigh Ewell Cal 31 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank and Wendy Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 9:59 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out there for those with more experience with the boat. [Frank & Wendy] '79 Cal 31 CIYC on Lake Erie

Yup, I know it will be a big job. I do like the feel and increased rudder travel you get with a tiller though. I am planing on dropping the rudder to take a mold and layup a new one over the winter anyway. that would be the time to make the change if I do. The rudder has stress/freeze cracks in it that make me nervous. Frank Foote Cal 31 [Frank & Wendy] From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Harleigh Ewell Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 11:12 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel A tiller would give you more room at anchor, but not necessarily while you are sailing, because of the arc the tiller would need to move when steering. Of course, if you change to tiller steering, you will need to remove the pedestal, patch the resulting hole, and relocate the compass and the throttle and transmission controls. Harleigh Ewell Cal 31 -----Original Message----- From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank and Wendy Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 9:59 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out there for those with more experience with the boat. [Frank & Wendy] '79 Cal 31 CIYC on Lake Erie

I have a Cal34 with tiller and plan to convert to wheel. I have already purchased a new pedestal but have not gotten around to installing it et because there are other things ahead of it on the list. The tiller takes up the whole cockpit. You have to keep it clear. Perhaps that is less of a problem if one goes in a long straight line for considerable time. Edson suggests putting the pedestal (on my cal34) 12" ahead of the tiller but then there interference from the traveler and boom. I have seen a photo somewhere of a Cal with the pedestal quite near the companionway. Is anyone familiar with this arrangement? Walter Cal34 #301 Frank and Wendy wrote: > > I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free > up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few > modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. > I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel > was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with > the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and > cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out > there for those with more experience with the boat. > > [Frank & Wendy] > '79 Cal 31 > CIYC on Lake Erie >

Another option, if properly done, is to move your traveler to the cabin top. It has a number of disadvantages for sure, but many love them there. Wilkie From: "walter" <ca… [at] swbell.net> To: <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 8:26 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel >I have a Cal34 with tiller and plan to convert to wheel. I have already > purchased a new pedestal but have not gotten around to installing it et > because there are other things ahead of it on the list. > The tiller takes up the whole cockpit. You have to keep it clear. > Perhaps that is less of a problem if one goes in a long straight line > for considerable time. > Edson suggests putting the pedestal (on my cal34) 12" ahead of the > tiller but then there interference from the traveler and boom. I have > seen a photo somewhere of a Cal with the pedestal quite near the > companionway. Is anyone familiar with this arrangement? > > Walter > Cal34 #301 > > Frank and Wendy wrote: >> >> I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free >> up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few >> modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. >> I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel >> was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with >> the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and >> cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out >> there for those with more experience with the boat. >> >> [Frank & Wendy] >> '79 Cal 31 >> CIYC on Lake Erie >> > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > >

I have thought of that. I have the 14' boom, generally considered too weak for a traveler mid-boom. Then I would have to strengthen the boom while maintaining aesthetics. It is a vicious circle. Walter Skipper wrote: > > > Another option, if properly done, is to move your traveler to the > cabin top. > It has a number of disadvantages for sure, but many love them there. > > Wilkie >

The advantage of it near the companionway is that you can keep the rudder post through the deck, and hook up the tiller again as an emergency should the wheel steering fail. Cheers and happy 4th Scott ----- Original Message ----- From: walter To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 8:26 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] tiller vs wheel I have a Cal34 with tiller and plan to convert to wheel. I have already purchased a new pedestal but have not gotten around to installing it et because there are other things ahead of it on the list. The tiller takes up the whole cockpit. You have to keep it clear. Perhaps that is less of a problem if one goes in a long straight line for considerable time. Edson suggests putting the pedestal (on my cal34) 12" ahead of the tiller but then there interference from the traveler and boom. I have seen a photo somewhere of a Cal with the pedestal quite near the companionway. Is anyone familiar with this arrangement? Walter Cal34 #301 Frank and Wendy wrote: > > I recently removed the propane locker/helm seat from my Cal 31 to free > up some space in the cockpit behind the wheel. I will make a few > modifications so it is easy to put back on for cruising. > I am also thinking of changing over to tiller steering. Seems a wheel > was optional on the 31 and I wonder if the tiller would be better with > the crowded cockpit. We do about 50% racing plus daysailing and > cruising. This is a new boat for me so I thought I would put it out > there for those with more experience with the boat. > > [Frank & Wendy] > '79 Cal 31 > CIYC on Lake Erie >

That was my thought but I have no personal experience with the wheel being closer to the companionway. It would also be closer to the dodger (another project for the future). There would also be more "open space" aft of the wheel, as opposed to being in the middle and splitting up the cockpit. Walter Scott Sauvageot wrote: > > The advantage of it near the companionway is that you can keep the > rudder post through the deck, and hook up the tiller again as an > emergency should the wheel steering fail. > > Cheers and happy 4th > Scott