Cal 31

[jeflaba]

Was on the hard in early December. In addition to bottom paint had some repairs made to the rudder and replaced some plastic though-hulls with bronze. The rudder needed repair because I forgot to secure the tiller in Avalon one night and a surge came into the moorings. The rudder banged against the stops several times before I woke up and secured it. I replaced the through-hulls because I had seen one fall apart when an owner tried to replace a hose. Sun/UV had made the plastic part so brittle it just came apart in his hand. These are the auto and manual bilge pump discharges and are normally above the waterline and so exposed.

[jeflaba]

Last summer I needed to replace the 12 VDC motor and right-angle transmission for my anchor windlass. Both of these had failed due to salt water intrusion. I went from a 700 watt unit to a 1000 watt model. This has greatly improved the windlass's ability to haul up 100 ft of 3/8's chain and my 15 kilo Bruce anchor. I also decided to upgrade the battery system at the same time.

I wanted to be able to use a small microwave or a 1 hp vacuum cleaner as well as power my laptop and other minor AC accessories. I also wanted to have a separate, isolated, starter battery so that if I draw my house bank down, I can still start the engine. What I ended up with is an 1800 watt inverter/40 amp charger combo, a 90 amp alternator, and two group 31 AGM batteries plus an isolated group 27 AGM for starting. This has worked out very well. I can even run my 1500 watt electric tea pot (while the engine is running - though this is pushing it I think). My only complaint is that when shore power is charging the batteries the fan is pretty noisy. I mounted it just above my head in my berth above the house bank of batteries. This was the best place to put it in order to keep the digitally controlled unit out of the (hot) engine area.

I also installed a battery "fuel gauge" which can show me the percent of charge left, the voltage on either the house bank or the starter battery, and the amps in or out. The latter feature has led to my intention to replace all my incandescent and halogen bulbs with LED units. I am particularly concerned with replacing the anchor light which is drawing 1.4 amps! I am going slow on replacing the house lights as the LED units are expensive!

[Brisak]

Hi All,

I bought a 1979 Cal 31 back in July and have a few questions:

1) I just noticed a crack on the bigger water tank (50'x21"). Problem is that one side of the tank is curved to fit under the settee, agains the hull. Does anyone know where can I get a new tank? I looked int Plastic-Mart, but to get started with the mold for a custom shape they charge at least 2k. Too much for a little water tank.

2) One of the previous owners took off the original stove. Any tips on where I can find a stove like the original?

Thank you

[jeflaba]

I think you need to google custom boat water tank. I found several companies offering to design and build custom tanks. There is no mold required - they just "weld" together sections of plastic to create the tank. I paid only a couple of hundred to get replace the (leaking) stainless diesel tank with a custom aluminum tank and I can't believe plastic would cost more. I haven't looked at mine yet but would wonder that the biggest job would just be removing the old one and slipping in the new one. Don't overlook the opportunity to replace your hose while you are at it.

[jeflaba]

The original stove was probably a Princess two or three burner by Seward with an oven/broiler. It was either propane or CNG. Mine is the three burner CNG. Your previous owner was not alone, many Cal31 owners have removed the stove and use a camping stove and/or microwave. This is because it is most often used as a weekend boat and not a cruiser. CNG has the advantage of not needing special storage and electric hookups for a solenoid. It is inherently safer because CNG rises instead of settling in the bilge. The disadvantage is availability and cost of fuel and a less hot flame than propane. You might well find a used stove for a reasonable price but you need to know which fuel it was made for as they are not interchangeable. If you don't have the propane tanks and storage locker (drained over the side) as well as the safety solenoid and associated wiring this is going to add a considerable amount to your cost. If you plan on extended cruising and/or doing a lot of cooking propane is the way to go. You might want to consider a higher quality stove as well like the Force 10. Check out your options at a site like Marine Stoves, Cooktops, Ovens and Ranges.

[Brisak]

Hi jeflaba,

Any particular place to recommend in CA? My boat and I are down in Oceanside, but would have no problem going up to LA area.

Thanks for answering both topics