Californian 45, 1988 but new to us!

[NotPing]

Hi, My husband and I just bought an '88 Californian 45, twin Cat MY. When she was surveyed, all systems worked. Now it seems like none of them work (water pump, bilge pumps, head pumps, etc.) I am pretty sure there is a switch somewhere that got switched off so these aren't functioning.

The refer works, plugs work, oven, microwave...

I am just lost. My gung-ho mate thinks we need to "buy a new one", but I'm pretty sure all these systems didn't crap out at the same time.

The previous owner is difficult to communicate with (he's forgotten a lot), and the broker is a crook, so he's not getting a call either.

Does anyone know of a master switch? Secret handshake? Code word? Place to rub gently and knock twice? Anything? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Or if you live in the SF Bay area, can you come take a look at her? I am near tears.

Thank you! - Patty

 

[bayview]

sounds like the AC stuff works but not the DC. Look near the batteries for a switch and make sure the batteries aren't dead.

 

[seasalt007]

I had an '89 which is pretty much the same boat. You have a 12 volt problem. It sounds like your batteries are off either by accident or have died. Mine were under the floor boards between the engines. Get a 12v tester and check for voltage. I would have said check the main battery switches if you had not mentioned the bilge pumps which should not go through a switch...instead they should be wired directly to a battery.

If I remember correctly my main battery switches were under the top step on the stairs up from the aft stateroom. Raise the step and look under there. Or, they may be on the aft bulkhead in the engine room...big red rotary switches.

The things you mention that are working are 110V items.

 

[NotPing]

I can hardly wait to get out of work to try these things! I have been SO frustrated! thank you! thank you!

 

[seasalt007]

I am still a little fuzzy about battery switches location...it's been several years since I sold mine.

Another place to look is under the step going up from the salon to the aft deck.

The step going up from he aft stateroom to the main salon may be the fuel manifold to switch between the aft and saddle tanks.

 

[FlyWright]

Patty, where do you keep your boat? Maybe one or two of us with boats can come by and lend a hand. I've got a DVM and know how to use it. My boat's in Vallejo, but I live in Sacramento.

 

[CPseudonym]

Does this look familiar?

 

[NotPing]

Seasalt - I know the fuel manifold is under the lowest stair from the aft stateroom into the Salon - I will check the top step tonight.

Flywright - We keep her in Alameda. I may be able to troubleshoot this myself, and keep your very kind offer in my back pocket.

CPseudonym - I will look. It doesn't seem familiar at the moment, but I haven't spent as much time in the engine room as my husband.

Ya'll are AWESOME!!!!!

 

[seasalt007]

What Craig said. They will look like his picture and depending on the build schedule could be anywhere.

But I am leaning toward the steps from the salon to the aft deck.

We really enjoyed our 45, Lived on it for over 5 years and traveled from Galveston, TX to Booth Bay Harbor, Maine. Ours had the 485 hp Detroits and and would really scoot along. It is a fantastic boat in a choppy sea. You guys will love it.

 

[ragin cajun]

I would strongly consider hiring a marine mechanic familiar (an ol' seasoned independent charter captain will work) with your style boat as a consultant and teacher on your systems. Take vidoes/pics and notes as he/she goes through the boat's DC systems along w/ the AC side as well. Spend at least a day with your new best friend going over your new boat....best investment you can make on your boat. .

 

[BandB]

I would strongly consider hiring a marine mechanic familiar (an ol' seasoned independent charter captain will work) with your style boat as a consultant and teacher on your systems. Take vidoes/pics and notes as he/she goes through the boat's DC systems along w/ the AC side as well. Spend at least a day with your new best friend going over your new boat....best investment you can make on your boat. .

I would second that recommendation. This is just one of many, many things on the boat to know or not know. Ultimately you can spend hours on hours finding out where things are and how they work and in just a few short hours, someone can walk you through instead showing you everything. Also, the second benefit, is it may prevent you from damaging something through not knowing.

 

[Ted]

And, I think most would be happy to "go through" another boat.
Who knows, they might even find something to give them an idea
for a neat mod or a different solution to a problem.

Ted

 

[FlyWright]

Another thought....get the surveyor back out for an hour or two to brief you on the particulars of the boat you hired him to inspect.

 

[bligh]

Another thought....get the surveyor back out for an hour or two to brief you on the particulars of the boat you hired him to inspect.

Who was the surveyor?

 

[NotPing]

All - regarding your suggestion to get the surveyor to teach us, it would mean a plane ticket. We are in the SF Bay area, and the surveyor (Bunker Hill) is in Dana Point. The previous owner is in Tahoe, and he's forgotten lots of things.

I looked at the stairs - the top step doesn't move, and my husband said the red knob is in the engine room.

FlyWright -- can we take you up on your kind offer of a visit? I'm not sure the best way to find "a marine mechanic familiar (an ol' seasoned independent charter captain will work) with your style boat as a consultant and teacher on your systems"... and you probably know more anyway! We'd buy you a really awesome lunch!

Thank you!

 

[FlyWright]

Sure. I'll send you a PM with my schedule.

 

[bligh]

FlyWright -- can we take you up on your kind offer of a visit? I'm not sure the best way to find "a marine mechanic familiar (an ol' seasoned independent charter captain will work) with your style boat as a consultant and teacher on your systems"... and you probably know more anyway! We'd buy you a really awesome lunch!

Be sure to remove all designer brewed beverages from your vessel if you want him to leave before dark. FlyWright is known around here for his thorough marine refrigerator 'inspections'.

 

[NotPing]

Thanks for the warning!

Be sure to remove all designer brewed beverages from your vessel if you want him to leave before dark. FlyWright is known around here for his thorough marine refrigerator 'inspections'.

Wow, Bligh, thank you for the warning! I will be sure to have extra guards on fridge watch. Never can be too careful.

 

[FlyWright]

Fridge Inspections are provided free of charge as an extra service to fellow TF brethren.

Can I get an AMEN?

 

[NotPing]

Amen and Hallelujah!!!! I'm curious... what makes for a perfect fridge inspection?

 

[CPseudonym]

Ignore FlyWright's pink hat and t-shirt and keep an open mind. Ask him to show you his pet cat too.



A fridge full of bottled water, iceberg lettuce and freezer devoid of ice are his favorite.

 

[kraftee]

I have an 88 Californian 45 and two of the master switches are located on a dummy panel in the bottom "drawer" center, port in the saloon. The other is located in the engine room.

 

[NotPing]

I will look tomorrow in the bottom cabinets -- but it doesn't sound familiar. What I do know, however, is that there is this thing in the dinette area on the other side of the wall from the electrical panel... and nothing seems to work.

 

[Capt. Jon]

Seems none of these boats where built the same. I finally followed the battery cables far enough to find the switches in the stairs from the sun deck leading into the salon under the bottom step. They are there somewhere.

 

[NotPing]

And those switches do what? (Divulging exactly how naïve I am).

 

[Tom.B]

And those switches do what? (Divulging exactly how naïve I am).

Start the self-destruct countdown.

You really need a friend to come show you around... But in lieu of that, Al will do fine too.

 

[tallswede]

Hope you let us know what you find. It's probably something pretty simple.

Kevin

 

[bligh]

And those switches do what? (Divulging exactly how naïve I am).

They determine what batteries 12 volt power is drawn from (or shut off)

 

[Toolbuddie]

Greetings, did we look at the main breaker/distribution panels at breaker lever positions? Good idea to just read each label and note handle position. That panel should be easy to find and should be checked frequently . Maybe one that says converter or battery charger?
Have you found the battery isolation switch (s) yet?
Dave

 

[sunchaser]

And are you sure the batteries are good?