Recent content by racushman

I once rebuilt a yanmar and was disappointed with the results -- expensive, and of uncertain quality. For example, the engine developed an overheating problem in its first season after rebuild, and what I discovered was that the water pump was mostly plugged up and hadn't even had the impeller...

I have to imagine a boat in that condition is worth <$5K, and maybe more like 2-3K. Only a small handful of people have the patience and resources to undertake a restoration project like that. The market is very small. A key decision filter might be to determine if the engine runs (or even...

https://www.bluepacificyachts.com/boats-for-sale/1987-olson-34-redondo-beach-california-7342185/ I noticed this O34 is for sale this weekend. The boat is around the corner from me in the King Harbor Marina. Have no knowledge about the boat, however a local rigger told me she is hull #3.

I came across this thread recently and ordered the K&N filter (turns out the part number has change - now it's RU-0370. Available on Amazon prime for ~$30. When I went to take off the factory air filter, I discovered that the same situation that had happened to Brian was in process on my...

Years ago, I had a boat with a 2 cylinder Yanmar that sheared off about a third of the surface of an exhaust valve. The engine was 18 years old and only had 196 hours on it -- the single prior owner had used it very little. Upon teardown it became clear that all of the valves had corroded...

Ah, yes, the consideration of wax... now this thread is getting interesting! My go to for 20+ years is: https://www.collinite.com/product/no-885-fleetwax-paste/ I apply once a year with a buffer, remove with a towel. Durability is very good, even with my cleaning regimen. It's my choice...

Probably 2 cups each in a 5 gallon bucket. I am not much on precision.

As an alternative to power washing FWIW I've made a careful study of how to keep decks clean with a minimum of effort (emphasis on the last part). My formula for 20 years now is: Bucket + hot water + bleach + simple green + long handled brush. Best brush I have found is...

So my O34 is my first boat with a keel stepped mast... and I'm contemplating doing some chain plate bedding work which would cause me to need to disconnect one whole side/set of uppers/intermediates/lowers at the same time. I'm wondering how stable the freestanding section is on its own? I'm...

Gang - thanks so much, i love this forum. So I've learned the difference between check stays and running backstays. And I'll conclude that I probably don't need to worry about them for now unless i'm going to do some more serious offshore work with the boat.

Christian - wow, great deal... thanks for posting, I wouldn't have seen it... bought one.

Thanks Andy and Loren. I guess I must have my terminology wrong... check stays not running backstays. Helpful to understand they are not just for offwind sailing. I'll have to take a closer look at how my boat is laid out, but I'm pretty sure that there isn't any turning block for them back...

Gents, So I've been through the process of replacing all the standing rigging on my new-to-me O34. At some point in the process I realized that the boat did not come rigged with any running backstays (although the mast column has the fitting where a terminal would be inserted). Any feedback...

I am a perfectionist by trade, but will share a different mast painting experience for what it's worth. In the mid-90s a 20 something me bought a 1977 Catalina 30 tall rig that was cosmetically neglected but structurally sound. It fit nicely in my recent college grad budget, and I lived aboard...

Profurl Lots of strong opinions on furlers. I use ProFurl because in my experience they are (1) good, (2) cheap (3) easily owner installable. I am in the process of installing a new model C350 on my O34. I think that would also fit your E38. Best price I could find was $1875 at...