up meant we were unable to check the windows. After the first half mile or so the the holding tank might be full. John tried
fluid level. We broke open the filler cap and seas moderated and we relaxed in the the tank pump. It was at this stage that he
discovered the reservoir was virtually empty. more comfortable conditions. Later John discovered the exit pipe from the holding
If we had gone to sea today, a steering admitted to being initially worried about the tank was not connected, allowing effluent
failure would have been almost certain. We conditions, but was pleased how the boat to pour out into the cockpit locker on each
filled up from the one gallon of spare oil left had coped with it all. stroke of the pump. Some cleaning up was
on board. required as darkness began to fall.
On this leg of our trip, with the wind around
I downloaded from the internet a Raytheon 18kts fine on the port bow, I was surprised Beachy Head lighthouse appeared and we
manual for the autopilot, and together we how much leeway we were making without rounded the headland about 18.00hrs, with
went through the calibration procedure. any sails set. The Catalac has no keels as the wind now well aft. After the headland,
As the rudder sensor had been installed such, just V shaped hulls and adding sail we lost the favourable tide so closed the
incorrectly and the drive pump worked at this point would have made the boat slip coast to follow a ten metre contour to
backwards, (I guess Bill had fitted it) we sideways even more. Brighton Marina. We had an uneventful
were unable in the time available to make it last few miles, entering harbour around
function without more information. Pleased After rounding the headland at Dungeness, 21.00hrs. The look of satisfaction and relief
we had at least saved ourselves from the wind went further aft. The seas calmed on John’s face after he had successfully
steering failure, we turned in for the night. a bit and briefly the sun came out. I find that manoeuvred his Catalac into its berth made
when things are going well, it is normally the it all worthwhile.
At dawn the next day I checked the inshore time when fate conspires to make things
forecast again. SSW 4-5 backing NE 5-6 go wrong. As we were motorsailing, and It was just
showers, moderate to rough. The sea the main tanks are small, I topped them another trip for
would be rough leaving Dover but promised up while underway. On visually checking the Delivery
to moderate as the wind backed to the the engine bays I found the starboard bay Skipper...
east, during the day. We prepared the boat had accumulated three or four inches of
to leave. I warned John to expect rough water. I found switching on the bilge pump
seas leaving port, and we radioed harbour produced a satisfying noise, but the water
control who gave us permission to leave. level remained the same. John volunteered Geoff can be
With John on the helm we motored out into to pump it out with an oil suction pump. contacted on
the confused seas, he steered the course After about an hour he had the water down oceanswan@
for Dungeness and we braced ourselves to an acceptable level. hotmail.com
against the lively motion. The full buoyant
forward sections of the Catalac’s hulls After a visit to the toilet John found effluent Delivery Skipper - Geoff
rode the seas well, with minimal slamming. on the compartment floor. We discussed
Waves broke over the wheelhouse the possible causes and concluded that
8  MULTIHULL REVIEW : JANUARY 2009
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