ted... are you using the glow plugs? It's important to be sure they are pre-warming the cylinder. I had a similar issue until I discovered I had to jiggle the ignition key for good contact and then make sure I provided adequate time (depending on ambient temperature) for the glow plugs to do their job. As to sternway steerage... practice in open water and apply lessons learned. Don
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Tue, 29 May 2007 11:25 am Subject: catalina27-talk: New Used Boat I recently purchased a 1982 Catalina 27 with a universal diesel engine and pedestal steering. I have 2 major questions that maybe some one can help me with. #1 Once started, the engine runs great however, it will not start on its own. The batteries are new and the starter seems to crank strong. We need to give it a shot of starting spray each time we need to get her started and the engine roars to life. Common sense tells me this in not normal. Has any one had this issue? Are there any suggestions as to what may be wrong? #2 We are in a marina and I am accustom to our previous 22’ boat with an out board. It was easily maneuvered and backed out of the slip. I don’t even have to back out of a slip with the new boat I just need to back out 25 to 30 yards to open water. Here lies the problem. The boat seems to be very uncontrollable in reverse. Are there some guidelines to backing up without taking out half of the marina?? AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

