Home Upgrade

Upgrade

    Random

    Hotel Catalina – Catalina 36 – below deck autopilot

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0

    Introduction

    My 2019 goal was to install a new below deck autopilot on our Catalina 36. I had a lot of time to source the parts and no real time line, so I really took my time to try to find the best deal on the parts.

    The main choice to replace Hotel Catalina ST4000+ wheel pilot was the lack of reliability as soon as condition was a bit challenging. Also the idea to have an autopilot able to follow a sail point was very appealing!

    At the end I am very happy with my choice to upgrade to this B&G system, since the setup we completed few cruises with different wind and sea conditions. The autopilot was always performing perfectly in heading or in wind mode. I really advise B&G technology and most importantly their support team, through facebook messenger, email and phone.

    Parts

    Total cost: ~$3,529 + miscellaneous parts (epoxy, fibreglass, drill bit…)

    • B&G nac-3: $1,100 – https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|2028687|2028716&id=3467058
    • B&G drive unit t1 (used): $1,000 – https://www.defender.com/ProductDisplay?id=3542975
    • Simrad controller (used): $99 –  https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|2028687|2028714&id=3470315 – $270
    • B&G precision 9 (used): $450
    • B&G rf25 nmea 2000 – $240
    • Edson tiller bronze: $400
    • Drill bit: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW1610-8-Inch-12-Inch-Extra/dp/B00004RGYQ/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?keywords=10%E2%80%B3+3%2F8+bit+%28Black+Oxide%29&pd_rd_i=B00004RGYQ&pd_rd_r=cfa7b41e-72af-4e5c-a50e-3086adf6eaa0&pd_rd_w=WVBd7&pd_rd_wg=Wmxqe&pf_rd_p=a6d018ad-f20b-46c9-8920-433972c7d9b7&pf_rd_r=1G91HA7DEJS6JCDKK5HE&qid=1560207538&s=gateway
    • B&G bluetooth remote: $240

     

    Timeline & Cost

    This is how much each part costs me. I am sure I missed a lot of costs like plywood, epoxy and hardware.

     

    2019-03-29

    autopilot – installed compass precision 9 (used)

    $450

    2019-06-09

    autopilot – nac 3 head unit setup

    $1,100.00

    2019-06-09

    autopilot – t1 ram

    $1,000.00

    2019-06-09

    autopilot – edson tiller

    $450.00

    2019-07-24

    autopilot – wiring (power + n2k)

    $100

    2019-07-24

    autopilot – bilge paint on the shelf area for the tiller arm

    $15

    2019-09-02

    autopilot – cut hole in navpod for autopilot controller

    $0

    2019-09-22

    autopilot – install rudder sensor rf25n

    $197

    2019-09-27

    update triton2 firmware

    $0

    2019-09-28

    autopilot completed!

    $0

    Wiring Diagram

    Here is a wiring diagram, I mostly built it to be able to communicate with B&G when I had some questions about the wiring of the T1 RAM. B&G was very helpful across the complete process.

    B&G Compass precision 9 install

    I had to figure out where to set it up, honestly I should have checked with a compass there was not too much variation in this specific spot. Especially with the big fuel tank next to it. I calibrated the precision 9 a couple of times in adding the corresponding offset through the B&G setup tool.

    AF1QipNir8PLKWxZAsDJ1hO5bX0dpWm9gvRYTF717GzJw1536 h2048 1AF1QipM3CYSa1XW0rdd0pczRlrvO4YVXwPX2pwH8DkHjw1536 h2048

    B&G NAC-3 Head Unit

    Nothing special about this effort, except I realized later about the amount of power it would require and the fact I had to add a relay to avoid burn out the dedicated panel switch for the autopilot.

    Next I had doubts how to connect motor-sol1 and motor-sol2. B&G documentation is not very helpful… Same for the drive engage…

    After I asked for excellent B&G support on facebook messenger! It doesn’t matter, you can connect either way. Just for motor-sol1 and motor-sol2, you need to swap if it turns the wrong way.

    AF1QipPQK5wQBXG6rykgpkkkCZiFwY6pMZnNSgz7lGBiw1536 h2048AF1QipPbcpk37FlAkUUDN79OEfn0hC1OuJnzkzSLeVd0w1536 h2048AF1QipNNV2tm8 iuHsPItfD1YIIqRyGOI0qbNzrKu4hlw1536 h2048AF1QipOrcIppKqLGaF8YM5fx1Y0ezcB4pigYvZOvNjmew1536 h2048AF1QipNO7kRHbUhdawQz6 yeqzqvUTuP4et pE7rrww0w1536 h2048AF1QipMeDG2HTfKchcmDKcpGiU8k4eqCmQMM HNH6buw1536 h2048 1AF1QipPFgS3 eR f0ZvUwJwYjeOlmJn5DP96 TQ4laO8w1536 h2048

     

    B&G T1 Ram Install

    I had to build a shelf to fit the hydraulic arm:

    The T1 Ram has one tip to get it off from his base, all the tools came with the setup.

    AF1QipPiN4nyWLcuEcBWu1BXmC2 t5AP3rinoF05Y i w1536 h2048

    AF1QipOhdDoEBMY6fd30kU80MavFswei em9hV3A5w3zw2048 h1536 1AF1QipOViPS4d7E1Z2MdvdZ2bpFxrY5njq1MopW2obHbw2048 h1536AF1QipMzbA7 7XIXuPRu7p dsmUP14Y1 MBYMH 54Idw2048 h1536AF1QipNGovyVoNUE50qEaIJLFy3MTeSsOg2HpUz1JyNjw1536 h2048AF1QipMKjAawsIsijuBM64vsrZ 2LNCZIBVSpGyV7PbOw2048 h1536 1AF1QipMXxJHEUMh5kyMHFmEVtwNiZLvQkL7K71NZYWyiw2048 h1536AF1QipOZssAKGcCjol7no59t2AiG19DXYgYpQlFzc0Rkw1536 h2048AF1QipMv7KUU czf2YTXpkddDSE FZVX E 7QnKuzWssw1536 h2048AF1QipM5rrYKvVxgIeyHdON7QsHEz38FJyC FzYcdZLmw1536 h2048AF1QipO30Q8PDFNxONy6LNz0AaboFklQKo3oVuRLmvH5w1536 h2048AF1QipPT04rVQxk99O2RcgBe6Xzb n Mu6uNGHZBwLDvw1536 h2048AF1QipNApz1eYEjJf9F8iklix g 13UPb4DASMVe66pGw2048 h1536

    Edson Tiller Arm

    This task with the build of the base for the T1 RAM were the most intimidating. This one actually was easier than expected.

    Go slow to drill in the rudder post, if you ask yourself, it’s empty in the middle, so don’t worry, just be very patient, drill very slow speed and push hard at the same time.

    This operation is way easier than expected.

    AF1QipPksFgzn5ufwyNSMCOrFzGTghBvhS1tj1URVUsTw2048 h1536AF1QipM8Qd9lgHbUiledKzb6q CVtvC3CgZalVEayFYnw1536 h2048AF1QipOqmyRKaIF0nEHe Z2 3GjMn534X617mngneujgw1536 h2048AF1QipPK4Gq4 Gco84kYEdzcP4Ng 0U0ypjtvrAPWWnw2048 h1536AF1QipNGovyVoNUE50qEaIJLFy3MTeSsOg2HpUz1JyNjw1536 h2048 1AF1QipOT4pi6KSAdzclNI80iAFyxz7cSE1XA1vZS6UxXw1536 h2048AF1QipPekCHYp OqSYx471duihrpe9aulefpgdB zLamw1536 h2048 1AF1QipP9LsRw081Ze5tpaqC0kbLuU74jS96QH4IEZ USw1536 h2048 1

    Wiring

    Electrical:

    • Most of the power wires were concentrated from the DC panel to the NAC-3

    NMEA2000:

    • The NMEA2000 network connection were concentrated in 3 points around the backbone:
      • Navigation Desk:
        • Bluetooth remote
        • Zeus 2
      • Galley: Precision 9
      • Aft Water Tank:
        • NAC-3
        • Rudder Sensor
      • Helm:
        • Autopilot Controller
        • Triton 2

    Autopilot Controller

    Trying to reuse my old navpod to fit the controller there. Very good support from B&G again to ship me a bezel.

    AF1QipO7vbL6oGoUD 2sf9aEkc 7LDb7tIZkzrHoNaU0w2048 h1536

    B&G RF25N rudder sensor

    AF1QipOQ82fCOnZ8S0ZASU9RPy1nFOD0ih2OEy3EhRjJw1536 h2048 1AF1QipMbkqpbSJa7KFNLsSxm 86Eh2oSFmbP QFDWi5Iw2048 h1536AF1QipPcR4Lc9mi6mIQUROhW7VcnCLzhsXzcz0GLW4x7w2048 h1536AF1QipPvs8rAkJrW8oQnD4KLd1th8GHFTIX31neN6Q34w1536 h2048AF1QipOVUZIYIlx0FQbRLDJa yADcAGPnEMnDScc1ipNw1536 h2048AF1QipNjBUHRjIoOXCEVh476 lgUZv9qYyocK uHFF Tw2048 h1536 1AF1QipN3npkmyT2u i5CQGGlsA8iDQU8kUgcTxwuIAtVw1536 h2048 1AF1QipO3odLlWXejVxcg TO owSqRHypxSQ AMH0xEW9w1536 h2048

    Rudder Stop modification

    AF1QipPvs8rAkJrW8oQnD4KLd1th8GHFTIX31neN6Q34w1536 h2048 1AF1QipMDWNhCXNsuy1JP4hfy4YlCrTlF7PqwVh5ToKrRw2048 h1536

    Firmware update and calibrations

    I went through several update and calibration phases during this setup.

    AF1QipMCEAiC9fPO9jKhy2T8Fk8Wqx AqMQkrv01tRnw1536 h2048

     

    Remote Setup

    The last step was to set up the B&G remote, again thank you B&G for their support during this process.

    References

    https://www.catalina36.org/members/technical/upgrades/raymarine-autopilot-unit-locations-some-ideas-c36-mk-i

    https://www.catalina36.org/members/technical/upgrades/installing-below-deck-autopilot-c36-mk-ii

    https://mustloveboats.com/2014/02/24/below-decks-autopilot-diy-part-1-of-many/

    https://mustloveboats.com/2014/03/04/below-decks-autopilot-diy-part-2-of-many/

    https://mustloveboats.com/2014/03/13/below-decks-autopilot-diy-part-3-of-many/

    https://mustloveboats.com/2014/03/24/below-decks-autopilot-diy-part-4-of-many/

    https://mustloveboats.com/2014/07/27/below-decks-autopilot-install-diy-part-5-of-many/

    https://mustloveboats.com/2016/05/21/autopilot-install-finish/

    This was my 2019 project, way more work than expected but it works great! 🙂

    Universal M25XPB Engine Monitoring Actisense EMU-1 setup

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0

    Since the day 1 we own Hotel Catalina, our Catalina 36, I have been looking to monitor the engine and get the analog data from our Universal M25XPB broadcasted on the NMEA2000 network.

    Last may I finally decided to order an EMU-01 and the NGT-1 mandatory to the setup of the device.

    Now why I decided on the EMU-01 versus the NoLand Engineering RS11 (http://nolandeng.com/rs11.php) or any other alternatives:

    • active community online
    • active on signalk project and slack channel
    • support is active and helpful (https://desk.zoho.eu/portal/actisense/home)
    • looking more like a serious business compared to other alternatives

    Actisense NGT-1

    Here is the Actisense NGT-1 I bought used on ebay

    Actisense EMU-1 unboxing

    Ordered the EMU-1, love the form factor of the product and the mechanical design of the box. Definitely a reference on the market.

    Universal M25XPB engine panel

    Here my engine panel, where I am going to get the data from and where I am going to plug the EMU-1 box.

    Custom harness to connect EMU-1 to Hotel Catalina engine panel

    Actisense Toolkit configuration

    Herei is my issue, I don’t have any idea what type of gauge I should pick, and all the one I tested doesn’t seem to match what is going on.

    Right now my gauges are all Teleflex. Time to contact Actisense support 🙂

    Gauges

    Sensors

    Fuel level sensor

    Water temperature sensor

    Oil alarm sensor

    Waterproof Dual USB Charger Power Outlet 2.1A & 2.1A with Voltmeter

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0

    Most of our navigations since we bought our Catalina 36 18 months ago have been day sails in the Santa Monica bay. This year in plan to adventure a bit further. For convenience purpose it would be great to be able to have a charting software at the helm!

    Right now our charting applications of references has been weather4d 2.0 running on an ipad and our b&g zeus 2 at the nav station. To get the ipad running for few hours at the helm we need to bring power there.

    To perform our usb power requirement I decided to get a “marine” dual usb charger out of amazon. The reviews are positive, it has a dual socket delivering up to 2.1A and it even shows the current voltage!

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076FF2G9G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

     

    The plan is to install the usb socket on the navpod(I think I have the GP1300 model) and take advantage of the remaining space.

     

    Draw the hole to perform.

    Use an 1″1/8 hole saw to cut the navpod after a first drill at the center of the circle.

    Hole done! Trying to understand why DeWalt decided to paint their hole saw in yellow! 🙁

    Now the hole is completed, let’s check what is the source of 12V available in the navpod box. Right now we have 12V bringing power to:

    • Raymarine ST4000 autopilot
    • Garmin charplotter

    Not very convenient to take the power from there, should I install a terminal block in the navpod? Any advices?

    For now I am going to crimp this 12V source to these 3 devices. Long term I will need to update that. Not sure what is the best way to do it yet. Bring 12V from the DC panel?

    As soon as the power is there, everything is working correctly!

    Stainless control handle replacement

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0

    First upgrade on Hotel Catalina!

    After the trip back from Long Beach, another quick trip out in the Santa Monica bay and the situation of our very tiny way to our slip, we realized it was one of the first mandatory upgrade.

    This upgrade was actually planned even before to bring the boat back from Long Beach, my first order ever for Hotel Catalina, and definitely not the last for sure 🙂

    I decided to buy it on Catalina Direct, I realized later it was maybe not the cheaper place to buy the part, but I am very happy to send business their way for what they do.

    Remove the old controls

    Thought it would be an easy job, but not at all! Had a hard time to remove cleanly one of the old handle.

    I started with the throttle handle and it was done in less of 5 minutes! What an easy job 🙂

    Now let’s take care of the clutch handle! What took us over four hours to get it done, with a long list of tools tested against it.

    Finally we had to use the dremel, to get the work done and be able to extract the screw.

    Setup of the new handles

    Now some anti-seize lubricant, and hopefully next time someone will be looking to remove the handles, it will be a bit easier!

    Ressources

    Outboard engine mount – stern rail kit

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0

    Few weeks ago we bought a dinghy and an outboard to explore the marina. Now the question is where do we store our outboard?

    Our outboard engine, a honda 2hp is pretty small and lights, so I thought we could save with the inexpensive rail mount motor bracket from seadog line bought for less of $20 on ebay.

    Seadog rail mount motor bracket

     

    Better bracket from Simple System Marine

    As you saw it, the sea dog looks very unreliable. So I decided to order the “better bracket” from Simple System Marine.

    • https://www.simplesystemmarine.com/

    The Simple System Marine product is 10 times more expensive, but you can see where went the cost, it seems overkill for an outboard we only paid $300. But at least I feel confortable to leave the outboard on the rail and I feel safe about it.

    B&G Triton 2 setup at Helm – NavPod & AngleGuard modifications

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0

    Time to get some data at the helm!

    So far our helm came with more or less no electronic:

    • signet marine instruments not getting any signals from the senders
    • raymarine st4000+ working pretty well
    • Garmin GPS 182C Display

    As a technophile I dreamed since the day I owned the boat to add some electronic but these days has been pushed away by more critical tasks.

    Now I have some NMEA2000 devices setup on Hotel Catalina and I got an OK deal on a B&G Triton 2, it was time to bring the N2K backbone to the helm!

    Open the NavPod

    This week-end was the second time I get a chance to open it, last time was the day I received the special screwdriver for the NavPod.

    Time to investigate what is inside this NavPod, only the controller for the ST4000+ and one cable to power the Garmin GPS display.

    Make space to get the N2K backbone to the helm

    Time to make a hole in the NavPod to fit the B&G Triton

     

    Done

    Water tank monitoring with Maretron TLM 100

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0

    After multiple run out of fresh water and no way to check the tank, I checked the options available to monitor our water usage.

    In my quest to get as much as possible on the network through NMEA2000 the kbox and signalk. I looked only to devices with an open API or compatible with NMEA2000. One of the only option available on the market looks to be the Maretron TLM 100.

    The hardware setup is pretty straight forward:

    • cut a hole in your water tank (mesure twice / drill once, hmm not for this time yet :))
    • drill 5 holes
    • plug the TLM 100

    As soon as it was done, I was happy to see the device on my B&G Zeus 2 MFD, through the KBOX in canboat.

    But no way to configure it easily like I was able to do it with some other NMEA2000 devices through the B&G Zeus 2 MFD (Airmar and Navico so far).

    Contacted the maretron support with no success, so far no answer and it looks for now my only options would be to buy a Maretron MFD device or one of their gateway to use their free software, not sure I want to invest in this knowing I am not sure I will add more of their devices in the future…

    So far not very happy with the investment, definitely need more open standards in the marine industry.

    M25XPB Water pump replacement – Sherwood vs Oberdorfer

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    1
    Catalina 36 - M25XPB with Oberdorfer N202M-908
    Catalina 36 - M25XPB with Oberdorfer N202M-908

    Since day 1 we own the boat, the sherwood water pump was leaking a bit, it was never the top issue but always something bothering me. In this article we are going to go through:

    1. Replacing the water pump
    2. Replacing one of the old cooling hose
    3. Touch up painting of the engine oil crankcase

    It took few hours to go through this work, but everything was pretty straight forward.

    Original state of Hotel Catalina

    Here couple of pictures from June 2016, 2 weeks after we took delivery of Hotel Catalina.

    First engine picture June 2016
    First engine picture June 2016

    First engine picture June 2016
    First engine picture June 2016

    Based on this pictures we can saw this leak has been there for a while by the rust we can see on the engine.

    Time to fix this leak and give some love to the engine!

    It has been now over 1 year we own the boat and it’s time to tackle this pump leaking and clean the rust on the engine block.

    Here are few of the options to complete this task:

    • get a rebuilt kit and fixing it (tried it, it was worse!)
    • new sherwood pump (very expensive and not so much good feedback on the different forums)
    • migrate (upgrade?) to Oberdorfer
      • Replacing with an Oberdorfer pump that has the base that goes on with the same clip system as your Sherwood pump (more expensive, but more straight forward replacement)
      • If you aren’t scared of, rework the base of the Oberdorfer bolt on pump so it bolts into the pump land on the engine (way cheaper, but a bit too involved in my mind)

    After looking online I found a very good deal on the N202M-908 at pump and parts online. Let’s go with this solution!

    Oberdorfer N202M-908
    Oberdorfer N202M-908

    Here is the invoice for the pump:

    Replacing the elbow water pump hose

    This step is unrelated to the water pump, but it was way easier to complete since the water pump was not in the way anymore.

    Old sherwood pump, old hose and old clamp. Everything will be soon replaced.

    Tried to clean and fix the sherwood water pump, but the leak was always there.
    Tried to clean and fix the sherwood water pump, but the leak was always there.

    New hose installed!

    Now time to fill the radiator with new coolant! Last time was replaced was last year during the heat exchanger failure.

    Now the hose has been replaced, let’s replace the water pump!

    The service from https://www.pumpsandpartsonline.com/about-us was very good! Few days after the order I received the part as expected.

    I was not sure about the purpose of this hole, and asked online I realized it was to make sure in case of leak of the pump, the raw water has a way to exit somewhere else than in the engine.
    I was not sure about the purpose of this hole, and asked online I realized it was to make sure in case of leak of the pump, the raw water has a way to exit somewhere else than in the engine.

    Now it’s time for some painting touch up

    It’s the first time I try that, I decided to pick white to be able to see if any leak happens in the future. The result is pretty good looking. Next time I have a chance to remove the belt, I will definitely do more painting.

    Pump installed and running!

     

     

    Temperature is good!

    Impeller replacement for my spare kit

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/112455220825

    Oberdorfer replacement impeller
    Oberdorfer replacement impeller

     

    new anchor rocna 15 and bow roller upgrade

    By
    Ludovic Francois
    -
    0
    rocna 15 anchor
    rocna 15 anchor

    Our Catalina 36 came with a very rusty danforth anchor. So it’s time to upgrade to a rocna 15 bought on defender.

    As soon as the rocna 15 showed up, it was my surprise to realize how big it is. After a lot of research let’s upgrade the bow roller!

    Rocna 15
    Rocna 15

    Hardware requirement

    Equipment requirements

    I decided to get the bow roller from catalina direct few other options who could have been a good fit:

    Tools requirements

    • Grinder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U24VG0W ($99)
    • Sawzaw: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ODN1CP2 ($85)
    • 15mm wrenches (x2)

    Remove legacy bow roller starboard bolt

    Not easy to remove (suprised? :)), it looks it has been there for a very long time. Used 2 x 15mm wrenches to get through it.

    Cut off the vertical part of the original anchor roller

    • carbide tipped sawzaw blades (x2):
      • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQWFQBV ($24 for 2 of them, I needed both)
      • I have been using the 6″, but I have the feeling, it would have been better with a 4″ blade, maybe it would have saved me one blade.
    • grinding wheel
      • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004RH8I ($7)
      • use to make prettier the rough work generated by the reciprocating saw

    Position the anchor roller to find the good fit

    Drill holes in the deck

    Sealing Deck Penetrations To Prevent Core Rot

    Epoxy the holes

    Cut the backing plate to fit Catalina 36 bow

     

    Bedding

    Fastening

    I had to order longer bolts to match my setup.

     

     

    Install Rocna anchor

     

    close with some monel wire.

    Anchoring!

    I didn’t get a chance yet to anchor since it was installed.

    FOLLOW US

    0FansLike
    126FollowersFollow

    WEATHER

    Marina del Rey
    clear sky
    11.2 ° C
    12.3 °
    9.1 °
    53 %
    2.2kmh
    0 %
    Sat
    17 °
    Sun
    18 °
    Mon
    17 °
    Tue
    18 °
    Wed
    21 °

    POPULAR ARTICLES

    POPULAR CATEGORIES

    Follow us on Instagram @sailinghotelcatalina

    Follow our boating adventure around Southern California on Sailing Hotel Catalina. We will provide you info on our cruises, our Catalina 36 maintenances and our live abord.
    Contact us: [email protected]

    POPULAR POSTS

    POPULAR CATEGORY