Derek, Congratulations on your purchase! I have a 1979 as well and will offer my 2 cents, though you are likely to get some different opinions.
1. I have a Rule-Mate 500 and have found it to be adequate for a C27 and very easy to install and use with the integral float switch. The C27 has a very small bilge as they go. 2. My bilge water has always exited a through hull fitting high on the stern on the starboard side. I use that locker to store fenders and my anchor and personally would not want bilge water to drain directly into that compartment, though it does tend to get some lake water in it. My Whale quit a few years ago and I just bought a manual pump to backup the Rule and disconnected the Whale. I thought the rebuilt kit was outrageously priced. 3. The picture looks as if you have the original gate valves, which should be replaced with ball valves. The through hull fittings are technically a separate issue. The galley and head through hulls on mine were glassed in pipe fittings rather than true through hull fittings. I cut the "volcanoes" (mounds of fiberglass to hold the pipe fittings) off, smoothed out the area where the glass was and installed real through hull fittings with flanges. It gave me piece of mind and stopped a minor seepage in the forward compartment. 4. I have six switches as you do, plus a separate bilge pump fuse and switch to control the automatic float switch. I would like at least 8-10, as my VHF, stereo and autopilot all use inline fuse holders instead. I have one auxiliary outlet located on the panel below the stove. It's an inconvenient location to have cords hanging out, in my opinion. I would much prefer to have some on the shelf behind the settee for charging cell phones and other equipment. 5. That is a good list, though reinstalling lifelines would also be high on my list if it were me. You appear to be missing the stanchions, do you have them stowed somewhere? Regards, Jim Reinardy C27 #4223 "Irie" Milwaukee, WI -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Derek Atkin Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 2:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: catalina27-talk: New boat owner questions I picked up a Catalina 1979 27 at a pretty good deal.Here is a pic: http://www.opus45.com/pics/FH000013.jpg Boat has been out of the water for a few years. As I am making out my projects list for the winter/spring I have a few questions I would like the groups input on. 1. I want to install an electric bilge pump. Any recommendations on size? I was looking at a smaller Rule Automatic unit. 2. The current bilge pump (Whale Gusher 8) looks like it just dumps into the back lazarette. Is this the normal? If I do an electric pump - should it just dump the same way? I intent to run to separate lines for each pump. http://www.opus45.com/pics/c27_transom.jpg You can see where the transom has a drain. 3. I am assuming the boat has factory through hull fittings. Should I at least replace these with brass ball valves? http://www.opus45.com/pics/c27_valves.jpg 4. I would like to replace the electrical panel. Any recommendations on how many gangs to install? Any common circuits that can be doubled up? Also looking to add a few auxiliary 12v outlets, any suggestions on locations that seem to make the most sense? http://www.opus45.com/pics/c27_panel.jpg Here is a link to my list of project - would be happy to hear any feedback or tips on any of the things I am setting out to do. http://www.opus45.com/pics/Catalina_project_log.pdf Thanks Derek Atkin #4297
