CAT D3400 in marine propulsion service

I thoroughly enjoyed your linked story. Having lived in Marin County and spending many days at locations you mentioned. Aquatic Park had a Sea Scout base in those days (near the old Alcatraz ferry) where I was a member and Fisherman's Warf was a common hang out. I was looking for the term "potato patch" for that area of choppy water just outside the "Gate".
Anyway you'll find frequent discussion on D3400's here and the infamous
pony motors.

Wow. Great read. I made many trips out to the Farallons in my 22 ft wash deck center consele in the 80s. It is a beautiful place like you describe. I can't remember the name but there was a huge underwater rock that came up to about 20 ft below the surface. When we could find it on our then state of the art Loran systems we would drift over it for fantistic fishing. I simply cannot fathom your father fishing without anything but dead reckoning. Once we got fogged in at the Farallons and according to my compass reading I held to stay on Loran course I thought I would land at Bodega Bay. The side current was that strong. We payed attention to the Loran and hit the Golden Gate dead on. My dead reckoning if I had followed it would have probably put us in at Monterrey. We also fished the Cordell banks for rock fish. Wonderful times and great memories. Thank you for sharing.

Great piece of History that you penned!
Growing up working on a small Farm with Horses parallels the old way that your Father worked with his "simple" Boat and Fishing methods.
To take the time to put history down on paper/world wide web is the best way to share lives of our fore fathers!
What you have done is immortalized a piece of History allowing those that come after us to see the Pride of our People and Country!
Thank You for taking the time to share this with Us!
Jeff

Thanks for posting, I have always liked boats and fishing on the Great Lakes, most of my experience is as a customer on a Charter boat but still a lot of fun, if I find my self by the water with time to spare its likely you will find me walking around at the Marina.

Thanks for posting, I have always liked boats and fishing on the Great Lakes, most of my experience is as a customer on a Charter boat but still a lot of fun, if I find my self by the water with time to spare its likely you will find me walking around at the Marina.

Hi Mark,

Great story, very interesting. I did spot one typo (I think.....)
"Jay taught me all about high voltage DC power supplies and how to diagnose and fix problems with getting electrocuted."

I assume you meant "without getting electrocuted" !

Hi Mark,
welcome to the BB.
Wow, what an interesting history you have put down there to honour your Father and his vessels.
I have yet to finish reading your most interesting story, from what I have read so far you have my interest. I will be back when time permits--some of those Marine businesses sound like some I have visited way back when--staffed with some very knowledgeable people--a lot I would think were ex Armed Forces Service personnel who learned or honed their skills in adverse conditions.

As a Cat Dealer trained mechanic I have worked on Marine engines too and can say that in my experience Cat engines are up there for reliability and endurance if serviced as you and your Dad appeared to have done. They do well with economy too.

Alas, I do not have spec sheets for the D3400 engine--only go down to D4400. I am sure some one will be along in due course and help you out so you can finish your History.
My Rack Setting Chart agrees with your 26HP Rating at 1500rpm Full Load speed and 1590rpm High Idle speed for a D3400 Marine Engine. If your prop was correctly sized you should have been just above the 1500rpm figure at full speed.

Thank You for coming along and telling us your historic tale, I for one do appreciate your effort.
Cheers,
Eddie B.