Recent content by bernardd

I've been trying an experiment. I went to the local hardware store and bought some 3" waste pipe plus a 4"->3" reducer and found this helps to locate the foot of the mast while I'm installing it - the 3" pipe has a reasonable clearance over the mast dia. and allows it to rotate freely when...

Thanks for the feedback - it's reassuring to know it's not just me. I've started looking at another idea. The foot of the mast is about 2 1/2" dia and the (stainless?) pin is about 3" long so I'm wondering if I can fix, say, a 3" dia tube about 6" tall with a taper top around the pin so that...

I just saw the thread on stepping a 14.2 mast when the boat is in the water and wondered if anyone has tips, hints etc. for stepping an Expo mast when the boat is on the trailer? For those not familiar with the Expo mast, there are basically no fittings etc. on which you can attached lines...

I've only owned mine since last fall but I haven't yet found a need to remove the sail from the mast. It can be a bit fiddly to step the mast when the boat is on a sloping ramp. but apart from that it seems a really easy arrangement.

I think I have pretty much the same problem. I've been able to "spread" the two sides of the aluminum frame a little to ease the movement bit and was about to head to the hardware store to look for the PTFE washers Vic suggested which are probably doing the same job as the plastic bottle...

Thanks for all the advice. In hindsight I think my problem is being made worse because the rudder is sticking somewhere in the aluminum frame so I think I'll try to ease that and get some teflon washers in the the gap, then see how much of a problem I have left, though I certainly like the idea...

I've been wondering about modifying the rudder on my 2006 Expo 14.2 to make it easier to lift up as I'm coming to a dock, and making it more likely to stay up and wondered if anyone has done any mods in this area? The problem I find is I have to reach over the back of the boat, undo the wing...

Hi Scott, I've got the same 14.2 as you, though a little older (a 2006/7) - bought it from the original owner last Fall and took it to LBJ to get the hang of the rig which was a lovely day out. Sadly other commitments and my wifes back problems have kept me off the water but I'm hoping to get...

If Scot has the boat at Canyon Lake he will have had to register it anyway - it's required in Texas based on the length. Hopefully I'll get to take my Expo to Canyon Lake this year. Have you been out this year Scot? It looks like the water is getting back up to the point that many of the...

It's a pretty popular boat - if you check http://www.catalinayachts.com/about.cfm you'll find #5,000 was built in 2001 so it's certainly amongst the most popular of it's type. If you haven't sailed before then if you want to keep the boat you ought to look for someone or a school who can...

Did you get any registration documents with the boat? If so, in Texas at least, they will have a "model year". If there's nothing in the docs., the next point of reference should be the hull number which is marked on the starboard side of the transom, near the gunwhale. It may also be on the...

The Expo mast is definitely one piece. As I said before I can pretty much pick up the mast, sail and carrying bag in one hand. FYI : I was considering shipping an Expo when I couldn't find one locally, and asked the same question of Catalina customer service. I've pasted their reply below...

I don't know the exact composite that's used for the Expo mast, but some are incredibly strong - they're famous for lots of things from body armor to F1 racing car monocoques - there's a section on one brand (Kevlar) here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar. Pound for pound I would assume the...

That's part of why I was suggesting you get some time in a similar boat before trying to buy one. That will give you a good idea of what you can manage on your own, as well as the chance of ending up in the water.

I'd agree with Vic Roy - particularly in your circumstances the hull absolutely has to be clean and in good condition. You also need to check the title of both the boat and the trailer. You can still buy boats that have liens (usually outstanding loans, though there could beother things like...