Recent content by AlanO

CPT has a ton of install pictures on their website. I don't have a photo of mine handy, but nothing special about how I did it. Sorry, but no new updates on performance.

One of the POs installed a composting head on Gravlax. We bought a spare liquid holding tank to swap out and provide a little insurance. Emptying the liquid tank is no worse and perhaps better than regular stops at the pumpout dock. The solids tank clean out is also easy. Our only complaint...

The PO left us with a goofy rig for the lower part of the mainsail. We have a Tides Marine Strong Track. A number of the lower mainsail eyelets are not attached directly to cars (slugs). Instead a rope is run through the plastic connectors (sorry, I don't know the technical term for these). To...

In regards to putting a fuse "anywhere it is convenient for resetting" I think that would depend on whether the fuse is to protect the wire or protect the device. My understanding from Pacific Yacht System vBlogs is that fuses meant to protect the wire should be as close to the power source as...

I ended up going with the CPT Auto Pilot that we christened "Otto" on our recent cruise. I had a couple of minor hiccups in the install, so it required the upper end of the manufacturer's 3-4 hour estimate to install. Our hiccups were that I needed to buy a gear puller to remove the steering...

We finally got Gravlax out for a longer cruise that required more than an hour of motoring and happy to say that the refurbished heat exchanger and new exhaust elbow have resolved our overheating issues from last summer. During up to 5 hour runs the engine temperature was a steady 170 F while...

I'm currently leaning towards getting a CPT Autopilot to replace the old failed AutoHelm 3000 on our 38-200. After review of the product descriptions and forum discussions, the ease of installation, overbuilt motor, relatively low noise level, and low power draw are attracting me to this device...

Janeen and I want to explore South Sound this summer so we will miss the rendezvous. Hopefully we can make it happen next year. Best wishes for a fun meetup. Last year was a blast!

We had intermittent starter issues our first summer that was very frustrating. It turned out to be corrosion on the starter ground. All it required was cleaning up the ring connector and we have had no problems since.

I'm an electric windlass neophyte, but suspect voltage drop could be a consideration in the battery placement? That's a long run, but proper cable size can mitigate.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a SailRite sewing machine for awhile now so I could learn to do canvas work and sail repair. Bob's excellent cushion project provides even more DIY incentive. My wife and I both dislike the cushions on Gravlax because the foam doesn't have much bounce...

Most of the zippers on Gravlax are seized and I have replaced two of them. I'll replace additional zippers when I need access. While I first thought it would be difficult, it turned out to be fairly straightforward with a stitch cutter from the local hobby shop. Rather than trying to wrangle...

I just got back my heat exchanger after an acid flush. The outfit that did the work said the freshwater side was almost totally clogged. The parts guy said new exchangers run around $1500, so I am happy they were able to refurbish the old one. They are also putting together a replacement...

Joshua- I think you are on the right track with your conceptual plan. I did the refit of our 1988 38-200 last winter. I revised the conceptual plan 4 times before implementing and it changed again during the build. The following is the as-built. We've had Gravlax for about a year and half...

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I think I am headed towards boiling out the exchanger, regardless. That makes sense following the effort to take it apart. The flange appears to be newer than the rest of the elbow and can be re-used. The rest of the elbow and gasket I plan to replace. Good...