Catalina 36 International Association

Catalina Engine Harness Upgrade
By Dave Miller; Manager, Panel Department, Seaward Products, and
Gerry Douglas; Chief Engineer, Catalina Yachts

Many Catalina owners have read or heard about the harness upgrades available from Seaward Products as retrofit kits. Some of the published information is misleading, and most of it is incomplete. Seaward is the OEM supplier of panels and harnesses to Catalina Yachts, and has been authorized by them to provide owners with replacement parts and technical information. We are writing this article to clear up any misconceptions about the harness upgrade.

The saltwater environment is a difficult one, and a few boat owners have reported having problems with their starter (push button) switch staying engaged after ignition, most probably due to some sort of internal corrosion.

Service Bulletin 247 from Westerbeke/Universal states that improperly formed fuel filter brackets were used on M25 and M35 engines and the brackets can crack and possibly fail. This bulletin explains how to check your bracket, and how to order a free replacement. Thanks to Sean McGuckin for providing a copy of the bulletin.

by Phil Rojas

On November 7, 2002, I spoke personally with Gerry Douglas of Catalina Yachts. A problem was discovered by Westerbeke that concerns many M35B engines - a problem which could cause cam shaft failure.

Brunton's Propellers is initiating a product recall, as a precautionary measure, based on customer reports and in-house technical inspection.

Click the attachment below for an information bulletin from BP regarding the storage life of diesel fuel.

Westerbeke/Universal Service Bulletin #214
May 17, 1994

Random reports have been received from the field concerning the faiure of the front engine mount brackets used only on the Catalina specificaiton for the Univesal engine models M25XP(C) and M35(C).

Westerbeke/Universal Service Bulletin #213
April 13, 1994

Reports have been received from the field from Universal propulsion engine owners concerning the starter motor on their Universal engine not activating when the start button in the instrument panel is depressed. A clicking noise only is produced by the solenoid on the starter.

Investigation has found that this is the result of a voltage loss at the "S" terminal on the starter solenoid. Voltage is supplied to the starter solenoid when the starter button in the instrument panel is depressed.

Catalina Yachts Engineering Bulletin #15
April 8, 1983

It has come to our attention that the lazzarette bulkhead in some Catalina 36's may not be properly fastened to the deck. Improper fastening may allow the bulkhead to flex when the rudder is turned hard to port or starboard and the stop post on the radial wheel contacts the stopper blocks bonded to the deck.