Boat Modifications.

edited September 2014 in General
We have been sent these photos of some modifications to a 900 Catalac.
Apparently the hope was that the increased length would improve boat speed.
Does anyone have any other modifications, and hopefully, any measurements of improvements achieved? 
 
m_Costa Transom11

m_Costa Transom21
m_Costa Transom31
m_Costa Transom41
m_Costa Transom51
m_Costa Transom61
m_Costa Transom71
m_Costa Transom81

Comments

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    On the 8m Catalac, The lockers where the steering arm connects, which is behind the rear bulkhead and in front of the Transom, has what is supposed to be a self draining system thro a hole behind the rudder stock ! However I think in most cases water can ingress to beneath the floor and can start to rot both floor and bulkhead. I myself have put a dinghy type round locker lid in each to allow me access to drain at various times through the season. However this year I am hoping to put a drain line in to the sump pump, and seal up the drain hole in the transoms to make the job easier, pumping out each time I am on the boat, has any one else come across this problem, comments please. & A Happy Christmas to all...Bob & Ann
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    edited December 2014
    Bob, interesting post, I'm not sure I understand about where you have put the "dinghy type round locker lid"?  On Scubacat we have large standard locker lids on both sides accessing the "self draining" locker. Its where the previous owner kept a keep net for fishing.
    Can you post a photo? 

    (Press the Blue "picture" button in the control bar in "leave a comment"     image button   to insert a picture... )
    It will bring up a explorer box, and you then simply select the picture you want to add to your comment. It always adds the picture at the end of the comment, but you can write text after the picture if you want later.

  • Options
    Hi Dagnal, sorry no photo's at the moment, will try and take some next time down the boat, but the lid is actually
    In the floor of that locker, water seeps in under this floor and has no where to go. Originally I had water seepage
    Down under the water tanks and into the cockpit lockers. I mentioned it to John Lack and he suggested drilling a hole in the floor to investigate, in this case both spaces under the floor were full of water ! ....Bob
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    I see what you mean! On Scubacat, the lockers effectively go straight down to the hull, no false floor!
    It does mean easy access, but also wet 'feet' for anything kept there.
  • Options
    On Chateaucat the lockers also go straight down to the floor so fortunately the problem does not exist.

    I wonder why you have a false floor? My sail number is 108 if it helps.


  • Options
    Thanks, are the black latches the 3D printed ones by any chance?
    Dagnall

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    The 9m also has a false floor and I have fitted inspection hatches to make it easier to mop out any water.
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    Discussing this after the Agm yesterday it seems that what I see at the bottom of my locker is indeed the floor, and not the hull as I had thought! It's just I do not have an inspection hatch. Cheers!
  • Options
    edited May 2015
    This winter I drilled a 25mm hole at the base of the rear bulkheads, I cut down 2 Hull fittings so as to insert them with sealant. There is also an inner support strut, which I believe was used for lifting the moulds during manufacture, just at the bottom of the lockers, this also need a hole drilled through its base and sealed.
    I drilled 25mm holes through the inner hulls, fitting and sealing two through hull fittings, connecting it all up to the manual sump pumps, I also made 2 fibreglass cover type scoops to go over the outlets. It's all working very well and saving a lot of mopping out !
  • Options
    Hi all, had a brief meeting with Sea Spirit in Studland Poole, July, if you want to email re mods lifting rudders etc email....bobatlongleaze@aol.com
  • Options
    edited October 2015
    I've been looking through some old (2002) CCA files and found these interesting pictures and some notes about a modified roof on ECHO, a Catalac 9m. 


    "We brought Echo in Cyprus and sailed her back home
    via the Grau du-Roi, Canal du Rhone a Sete and the Canal du Midi, we can
    recommend the Grau du-Roi in the Med, with mast-stepping at Aigues-Mortes.

    Our original engines were single cylinder Renault
    diesels rated at 7.5hp, they were reliable but very noisy and under powered at
    4.5 knots flat out in calm water. Raw water cooled, I believe they were
    designed for cement mixers and were certainly miserly on fuel at 0.51 per hour
    apiece.

    "ECHO"
    is now fitted with a pair of Beta 13.5hp diesel engines and with folding
    Propellers. These have transformed the performance both under power and sail.
    6.1 knots from a single engine at 3000rpm driving a 2:1 reduction and a 14in
    diameter two bladed propeller. Under sail I reckon we are at least half a knot
    faster over the previous fixed pitch screws.

    An added advantage is that with the engines
    diminutive size, with its shallow sump it gained us nearly 6 inches vertical
    height space over the Renaults, we have been able to re- install the cosy port
    quarter berth cabin. So quiet are the Betas that we are not bothering with
    sound proofing now. The flexible feet and shaft coupling, included in the
    price, probably contribute to the sewing machine sound characteristics that we
    now have.

    On deck we have been able to improve the appearance
    of the deck house by taking the roof outboard by five inches and aft by three
    feet. Stainless steel legs support the trailing edges which follow the gentle
    curve built into the original structure. The forward edge projects eight inches
    in a slight curve forming an 'eyebrow' with radius sed comers. A stainless
    steel pillar abaft the steering position makes a very useful hand hold and
    permits a 15 stone crewman to walk on the rooftop, an opening hatch also allows
    the helmsman to sit on the roof and steer with his feet! There is also ample
    space here for life-raft stowage and solar panels. The plan now is to fit roll
    up awnings along the under side edges of this deck so that the cockpit can be
    completely enclosed." 

    echo roof
    echo
  • Options
    It looks very good & strong also ideal for having a full canvas cockpit cover . Bob ' Think Again'
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    I could have done with those handrails when my lazyjacks broke in a choppy sea. Trying to stow the main whilst single handed was no fun at all...

    Another winter project maybe, should see me through to 2025!
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    Well done, this will be a great increase in the enclosed area of the boat when the side panels are in place.

    When closed in the temperature rises dramatically inside.  A great place to have breakfast and Dinner.

    Aleck Tidmarsh
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    edited February 2016

    WE have a modified the dog house to nearly full width it allows for 2
    cocpit covers. One splits the cockpit in 2 and  is strong enough to use
    at sea in all weather   the other enclosed the whole cockpit but we are
    going to remake that on as the material is 2 light . The split cove is
    fitted using aluminium bolt rope fittings and take just a couple of mins
    to fit or remove . It was originally made as a test using a lorry side
    panel I had given to us , and has 3 window panels . it is so successful I
    haven’t got round to replacing with a "pretty" fabric but the current Punch and Judy works so well

    I have tried to upload 2 pictures but the left hand insert picture finds the picture but they fail  to upload  I will try again !

    video of the inside on a rainy day  .no picture upload yet!



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    edited February 2016
    Well i have had to use photobucket ! and post as a link as i cannot find a way to upload it


    Achillea





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    The video certainly looks fine!. 
    I'm getting a new cockpit tent made for Scubacat, and expect it to be very similar to this one made by the same guys for "Sea Spirit", a Catalac 9m.
    Sorry the "upload image" (on the left of the control bar) did not work for you , it uploads the picture and then adds code in the message to display the picture. It seems to works best if the pictures you upload are small. There is also an "insert image" Icon across on the right, but that one does not upload and needs the image to be already on the web. 
    (if you click the "show source" icon on the far right, you can see the actual source of the message... for geeks only!... 

    Product photo (2)

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