7. Water in oil (Catalina 30)

Unfortunately, the Catalina 30 is one of the most unforgiving boats in the fleet for backing up sea water in through the exhaust system.

There is nothing you can really do to improve on the boat's inherent tendency to back up water during cranking. It's simply a matter of very little storage capacity in the water lift muffler and associated exhaust piping (due largely to the center cabin location of the engine). All you can do is remember to close the thru-hull anytime that the engine is a bit reluctant to start, and also during sailing. It's really a good idea to close thru-hulls on most boats while sailing, if only as a precaution against a random failure within the exhaust system.

In addition to the over-cranking issue, you should check to be sure that the siphon break in the 1/2" cooling water hose between the aft end of the manifold and the inlet to the exhaust system just above the water lift muffler is working. This hose curves up and under the galley sink, and the siphon break is that small brass check valve at the top of that loop. You should be able to blow down through this little valve. If it is clogged, you are in danger of siphoning water in through the engine, and into the exhaust system while the engine is sitting between uses, if you forget to close the thru-hull. - Updated: November 4, 2003