Catalina Morgan 45 Owners

[NZMorgan45]

Originally Posted by clongcor59

We just ordered some replacement gaskets but we have not yet installed them. Once we greased ours, the leaking stopped. Seems that many don’t know that all gaskets need periodic lubrication so yours may recover a bit with some attention. We have used Danco Waterproof Grease (it’s silicone). Home Depot typically stocks it in their plumbing section. This should buy you some time.

Thanks for that, I'll try the waterproof grease in the meantime. We have found two gasket sources on line.
https://www.defender.com/category.js...1|6880|2290158
https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-...otnew-stdquot/
https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-...x-17-1116quot/

[NZMorgan45]

Thank you, we appreciate the advice, the gaskets on line don't appear to match the profile of what has been fitted on but will order some and see if they are better. Perhaps the wrong ones were fitted.

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by NZMorgan45

Thank you, we appreciate the advice, the gaskets on line don't appear to match the profile of what has been fitted on but will order some and see if they are better. Perhaps the wrong ones were fitted.

Are your hatches Lewmar? Is so, you can probably call Catalina direct and they can take your measurements and help get the right gaskets to you. Or, call Lewmar.

[Glenncariib]

Welcome NZ Morgan 45. I have not yet replaced any of the portlight gaskets on our boat but I know there are "old style" and "new style" Lewmar portlights with each having a different style of seal. Given the age of our boats, I'm guessing you have the "old style". If your ports have a rotating dog (dawg?) to hold them closed, it could be the o-ring on the dog is worn or broken. I experienced a drip from the portlight over my side of the aft berth last year and after much investigation found the o-ring was broken. As I recall they use either a -012, or -014 size o-ring. Both sizes are very commonly used in industrial hydraulics and should be readily available at a hardware store, Amazon, McMaster-Carr, etc.. Replacing the o-rings was a fairly fast and easy repair. Good luck.

[NZMorgan45]

Thanks for that, ours have the other snap style closing tabs. We lubricated the gaskets and it stopped the leaking immediately and e have managed to order some new gaskets and they seem to be the new standard based on the port window design. Will report back once these are received and fitted.

[NZMorgan45]

Also its worth mentioning that it appears the original port windows were replaced and the new standard were installed at some point. The technician at Catalina said that in 1995 the new standard didn't exist. The gasket comes in 35" lengths now and the part number we have ordered is #3713 plus the installation kit.

[Glenncariib]

Thanks for the update. It sounds like the "new standard" portlights take gasket material sold by the foot that you Crazy Glue together. Am I understanding you correctly?

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by NZMorgan45

Thank you, we appreciate the advice, the gaskets on line don't appear to match the profile of what has been fitted on but will order some and see if they are better. Perhaps the wrong ones were fitted.

Google Hatachmasters.com he knows most about Lewmar leaks.

[NZMorgan45]

Correct, they sell in 35" lengths and you glue the ends together. They also recommend the installations kits because they supply small tools that apparently make it easier.

[Discovery 15797]

One of the things I don’t particularly like about the Catalina Morgan (and Catalina’s in general) is the lack of ventilation. I have Port Visors on all cabin ports, and at dock/anchor I usually have canvas over the fore and aft decks. However, the rain here in the western Pacific comes down in buckets at a damn near 90 degree angle, and underway all ports and hatches are usually closed (sometime the aft hatch is opened because I have a hard dodger and Bimini.

So, I installed 4” Marinco Day/Night vents on each large hatch to keep air moving when the boat is completely closed, and recently I also installed 2 Vestus dorades and Tom vents on either side of the mast to provide positive air movement underway. (No, they do not interfere with work at the mast.) (I might add 2 more on the aft deck for the aft cabin in the near future.)

Before I said the Morgan 45 CCs were built like tanks…and here is some proof. The coach roof is almost 1 1/2” thick with 3/4” marine ply sandwiched between a 1/2” layer and a 1/4” layer of glass, then there is a 1/2” pocket for running wires and such followed by a fiberglass headliner that is 1/8” thick.

If you live in the tropics and want to prevent mold…ventilation is key!

(Maybe someday Catalina will learn the value of well placed dorade vents!)

[SailorKelly68]

Good day Owners.
We have just taken ownership of a 45 that need a repair on the main fuel tank, in the floor.
Has anyone gone about this process before, by either replacing the tank or repairing by any method?
We would love to hear your process.
Thanks!!

[Glenncariib]

I have not, nor do I know of anyone else who has done it but I'm very interested to know how your project goes. Best of luck.

[clongcor59]

FYI, we finally installed one of the replacement gaskets and our recent rains indicate it was a success. Removing the old silicone from the frame groove takes a little patience. Re-siliconed and found that the end of a spoon handle worked well for forcing the new gasket into the frame groove. After installation of the gasket, we left the window closed and latched it for 24 hours to assure the silicone cured completely.

[clongcor59]

We are also very interested to learn how the task goes.

[SailorKelly68]

Regarding our tank replacement....
Sorry for the delayed response... Repairs and cruising got in the way.
So, after debating a repair or a replacement, we went with a replacement.
It was not an easy task. First we had to cut the subfloor open, and then we found that the tank was embedded in expandable foam,.. encapsulated... Horrible stuff, drowning in diesel ⛽ fuel . Using a couple hand saws, and wire and whatever we could think of, we cut out as much as we could, and then tried lifting it out. No luck.
We then got a engine hoist from the work yard, placed it across the companionway, and jacked it out using the grounding post as something to lift from.
Finally it POPPED!! And was free from the foam that was under it.
It fit thru the companionway by about 1/2 an inch!
Next cleaning of the area, getting the remaining dieselly foam out.
Finally we had a new aluminum tank built and had it on hangers, so it doesn't touch any part of the boat, and has an air space under it. It's a bit bigger than the original tank by about 5 gallons.
Any questions, feel free.