Recent content by nwboater

Our Tomcat has new owners...and we have purchased a new, larger boat to keep us cruising into our eighties :))

FastCat was the NMI factory demo boat until I purchased her in October 2023. She looks and performs like a brand new boat, always boathouse kept. Powered by Suzuki 150's with approx 200 hours, and equipped with every available option. She has the aft helm station (steering, throttle/gear), a...

Jeff, I appreciate your candidness in describing your unfortunate haul out...thank you! Soon after posting here, I got a call back from my marina to tell me they had an immediate vacancy for a 34 foot boathouse. Needless to say I grabbed it; and only $100+/month over what I've been paying for...

That’s a good suggestion, Bob. But I decided to bite the bullet and arranged to move FastCat from her current open slip to a cozy boathouse when my contract renews in April. Sure, it’s more money but worth it for the peace of mind knowing that my boat will be indoors and out of any freezing...

My boat lives in wet moorage (PNW) all year round, but I'm considering moving it to indoor "rack" storage for the winter since we're now snow-birds, living far from home. Has anyone stored their Tomcat on a "rack" system indoors? I'm guessing the twin hulls could be a problem for accommodating...

Thanks for that tip Rob. I called Scan Marine today but no one answering… sounds like I need to add some extra pipe for a “loop”…that plus cowl over the exhaust port should resolve back draft from occurring.

Hi Bob, I'm familiar with marine diesel heaters, such as Kabola (hydronic) and the larger Wallas forced air units, but new to the Wallas stove/heater combo. I think you're suggestion to add a cowling over the exhaust vent makes good sense. I'll do that and see if it works underway.

Is the Wallas DT stove/heater designed to operate while underway? Earlier this summer we left the Wallas running on low for warmth while cruising. But when our speed increased to around 25 mph, we saw smoke and could smell unburnt fuel. I assumed it was a "back draft" from the exhaust port, so...

Okay, problem solved! The fuse is behind the switch cover mounted inside the head compartment (TC255). Next to it is a 15 amp fuse for the sump pump. Regarding the WeatherDeck panel on my 2018 model year, the fuses for the fish box macerators are also behind the cover...a flat head screwdriver...

John, I think you may have nailed it! The so-called WeatherDeck switches (mounted alongside the aft steering station on my boat) are labeled and operate the fish box macerators. But it makes sense that the blackwater macerator pump would be tied to this same switch. (Though good practices would...

John, thanks for the detailed description. My boat is a 2018 model, and the fuse block has a 15 amp fuse labeled "head" but no 30 amp fuse. I will bring my multi-meter and check the wiring and all the fuses again. Btw, I lifted the floor panel under the sink, and inspected the shower sump box...

Where will find the fuse for the Jabsco overboard macerator pump on my TC255. The sump pump switch, wired to the same panel as the macerator pump is “dead” too. I checked the fuse block behind the helm but found no blown fuses. Btw, the pump turns freely with a screw driver, so it’s not jammed —...

I recently installed a Victron SmartShunt ($110). It monitors voltage in/out and SOC (state of charge) for the house battery and displays voltage only for the start batteries. Simply download the VictronConnect app to your phone or tablet and connect to the shunt via Bluetooth. Easy and quick...

Thanks all for the feedback. Because I want to add an outboard, I've decided to forego the packraft idea and continue looking for a super lightweight inflatable dinghy. I'm holding out for something in the 40lbs range, max.

My quest for a lightweight dinghy that I can easily lift on and off the cabin top of my TC255 has lead me to super lightweight inflatables called “packrafts”. They appear to be very durable and far more stable when boarding off the boat than kayaks. Is anyone using one as a dinghy/tender?