Search found 98 matches

by DickTuschick
Thu May 17, 2018 3:18 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Flexible shaft couplings
Replies: 0
Views: 5631

Flexible shaft couplings

The factory installed a flexible shaft coupling in all boats with the exception of those fitted with the AquaDrive units. These flexible couplings have both benefits and disadvantages. They absorbe any minor out of alignment issues and make for a much smother ride. On the downside they hide out of a...
by DickTuschick
Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:41 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Managing heat in engine compartment
Replies: 5
Views: 6465

Re: Managing heat in engine compartment

There is actually another major source of air into the engine space. If you look under the engine where the engine mounts are located you will find a large opening into the bilge "bypass" area. This area allows moisture and air to flow from under the refrigerator or head area aft to where ...
by DickTuschick
Sat Feb 03, 2018 5:03 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Propane Tank replacements
Replies: 4
Views: 7825

Re: Propane Tank replacements

Hi Folks...beware some of the older PDQ34's did not have a moulded fiberglass compartment for the LP tanks. (so almost any tank size will fit) The newer boats that have the moulded compartment is a bit of a problem as it was made to hold Canadian made tanks that are slightly smaller in diameter that...
by DickTuschick
Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:36 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: $29 can safe you thousands $$$
Replies: 10
Views: 12351

$29 can safe you thousands $$$

I was recently moving a boat by myself and a small problem almost turned into a very big one. The hose exiting from the heat exchanger to the exhaust elbow popped off while underway. Operating from the FB I had no idea this had happened. The boat DID NOT HAVE A SMOKE /CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR.... Lu...
by DickTuschick
Wed Aug 09, 2017 4:47 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Maserator pump
Replies: 27
Views: 30477

Re: Maserator pump

The standard macerator pump provided with the PDQ's to empty the holding tank is a very disappointing piece of equipment. After testing several manufacturers units I could not find one that was of good quality that we could recommend. However we did try several diaphragm pumps....all of which worked...
by DickTuschick
Wed Aug 09, 2017 4:34 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Crossover water supply to Tides shaft seals
Replies: 11
Views: 13273

Re: Crossover water supply to Tides shaft seals

Hi Folks, We now have about 20000 miles on our boat and a significant portion of those miles are on one engine. On one engine we typically run at about 6.5 to 7 knots. We have never had a problem with either the transmission or the Tides shaft seal. When running on one engine the speed is so low tha...
by DickTuschick
Fri Dec 09, 2016 9:31 am
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Owners rendezvous--maintenance topics
Replies: 0
Views: 6265

Owners rendezvous--maintenance topics

Hi folks, As you may know we have the owners rendezvous coming up on January 14th in Stuart at the Stuart Yacht facility. One of the main seminars every year is the "Maintenance issues" seminar and we are looking for suggestions on topics to be covered. James Power and Gregg Burdick from S...
by DickTuschick
Fri Dec 09, 2016 9:26 am
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: engine/gen insulation maintenance
Replies: 1
Views: 4438

engine/gen insulation maintenance

Hi Folks, As our boats age I find that the engine insulation needs some attention from time to time. It is critical that the foam/lead material be as sealed as possible. The silver tape that the factory used tends to break down over time and needs replacement. You can purchase this silver duct tape ...
by DickTuschick
Fri Dec 09, 2016 9:19 am
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Engine Hatch Gasket
Replies: 3
Views: 6698

Re: Engine Hatch Gasket

An exact replacement is available from NAPA or any good car parts store. It come in 10' or 20' lengths. It slips on over the fiberglass lip...with great effort as it is a tight fit. I used the rubber handle of a hammer (pounding ) to put it on and it went well. Take a piece of the old one to show th...
by DickTuschick
Fri Oct 14, 2016 3:43 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Davit failures
Replies: 11
Views: 13996

Re: Davit failures

The davits that were supplied by the factory were rated at about 150 lbs and they recommended that a dinghy and motor of less than 100lbs be used. We tested these davits by hanging 150 lbs on each one (with a little springing on them and had no failures) However....as noted in another posting that i...
by DickTuschick
Fri Oct 14, 2016 3:26 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Rule Bilge pump failure
Replies: 7
Views: 11236

Rule Bilge pump failure

Hi Folks If you have not done so recently you should check the operation of the Rule bilge pumps that are located aft of the engine compartments, Make sure that they actually pump water and the only way to do that is to place the unit in a small pail of water and see if it comes on automatically if ...
by DickTuschick
Tue Jan 12, 2016 1:22 pm
Forum: Gear / Equipment / Maintenance
Topic: Repainting center aluminum window frame
Replies: 5
Views: 15694

Re: Repainting center aluminum window frame

Hi Duane, Just saw your posting from last year on the window corrosion. Yes, everyone sooner or later is going to have that issue. After some research I decided to use a product that is available here in Stuart called "Signature" Paint. I think it is really Emron 3 part poly paint but not ...
by DickTuschick
Tue Jan 12, 2016 1:04 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: center cutlass bng.
Replies: 6
Views: 8578

Re: center cutlass bng.

Hi Folks, I felt I should add my two cents worth here. We had Stuart Yacht install the mid-bearings last year as well. We did this as an experiment to see if there really was an improvement. I our case, there was no change in the boat after installation. However, it must be noted that we had paid pa...
by DickTuschick
Tue Jan 12, 2016 12:18 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Cruising to lower Caribbean on power cat?
Replies: 7
Views: 13908

Re: Cruising to lower Caribbean on power cat?

Hi Duane, To answer your question, I guess it is in the definition of "slow speed". Fuel consumption on the 100's drops drastically if you slow down just a little. My "slow speed" on Heron is about 6.5 knts. At that speed we burn about 1.35 gph or get about 4.7 mpg. I assume that...
by DickTuschick
Fri Nov 27, 2015 5:17 pm
Forum: PDQ Powercat Forum
Topic: Cruising to lower Caribbean on power cat?
Replies: 7
Views: 13908

Re: Cruising to lower Caribbean on power cat?

Hi Pete, Since my wife and I have about 20,000 miles of cruising on a PDQ 34 I thought I would add my two cents worth...... First and most important the PDQ 34 was never designed to be an open ocean/ blue water cruising yacht. However, considering her small size and light displacement she does remar...