:
- 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