We are looking at A Catalina 30 1981 model to purchase. It has a 11 hp diesel. We are concerned that the engine is to small. I would appreciate your thoughts?
11 hp diesel- should I stay away from it??
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11hp engine
It sounds a bit underpowered for that size boat. Many had Atomic 4 (gas not diesel) engines in that time frame.
What is the condition of the engine - engine hours. Can it push the boat to hull speed (about 6 kts).
Repowering could be very expensive.
Hopefully you are getting the boat surveyed and can some of these questions answered.
It sounds a bit underpowered for that size boat. Many had Atomic 4 (gas not diesel) engines in that time frame.
What is the condition of the engine - engine hours. Can it push the boat to hull speed (about 6 kts).
Repowering could be very expensive.
Hopefully you are getting the boat surveyed and can some of these questions answered.
Avoid this boat
We have the M25XP diesel With 25 HP. That is adequate only. The 11 hp diesel is far inreior to the Atomic 4. Enjoy the savings and get a 30 with an Atomic 4
We have the M25XP diesel With 25 HP. That is adequate only. The 11 hp diesel is far inreior to the Atomic 4. Enjoy the savings and get a 30 with an Atomic 4
11 hp. yanmar
We purchased a 1978 , 30 ft./ catalina last summer. she has a rebuilt 11 hp diesel engine. The boat goes 5 knots with almost full throttle. It's an easy motor to get at due it's location. the cost of a new motor with installation etc. would be huge and frankly I might get another knot or 2 of speed. One does need to be aggressive re: throttling in tight places with high winds but with some practice this does not appear to be a problem. A smaller motor like this also is amazingingly good re: fuel consumption.
Derek
We purchased a 1978 , 30 ft./ catalina last summer. she has a rebuilt 11 hp diesel engine. The boat goes 5 knots with almost full throttle. It's an easy motor to get at due it's location. the cost of a new motor with installation etc. would be huge and frankly I might get another knot or 2 of speed. One does need to be aggressive re: throttling in tight places with high winds but with some practice this does not appear to be a problem. A smaller motor like this also is amazingingly good re: fuel consumption.
Derek
Sounds a bit small
I have a '77 C30 that was upgraded with a Westerbeke 21. There have been times running inlets and in storms that I wished I had more power. I'd have to think an 11 hp engine would not be enough. If you only plan to sail in protected waters and avoid storms where you need to keep the bow in the wind the 11 hp could work for you. Otherwise I'd look for another boat.
I have a '77 C30 that was upgraded with a Westerbeke 21. There have been times running inlets and in storms that I wished I had more power. I'd have to think an 11 hp engine would not be enough. If you only plan to sail in protected waters and avoid storms where you need to keep the bow in the wind the 11 hp could work for you. Otherwise I'd look for another boat.
Hobbit, the 5411 is a
fine little engine, don't believe people when they say its underpowered. I had a '82 C-30 with a 5411 for five years and found it perfectly adequate, and I sail in the Pacific Ocean, and mine had a two-blade folding prop. It is a sailboat, after all. I motored, or motorsailed, back from Ensenada to Long Beach more than once, against wind/wave/current. If you find a boat you like, don't let the small diesel dissuade you from getting it. Learn to live within its capabilities and you'll be fine. PM if you need more.
fine little engine, don't believe people when they say its underpowered. I had a '82 C-30 with a 5411 for five years and found it perfectly adequate, and I sail in the Pacific Ocean, and mine had a two-blade folding prop. It is a sailboat, after all. I motored, or motorsailed, back from Ensenada to Long Beach more than once, against wind/wave/current. If you find a boat you like, don't let the small diesel dissuade you from getting it. Learn to live within its capabilities and you'll be fine. PM if you need more.
Catalina 11 hp
I'm with Larry. We have had our 1983 Cat 30 since 1995. Been all over the CA coast, all the islands, and sailed her down to Baja California Mexico where she has resided for the past 10 years. The 11 hp engine is easy to work on (never needed), small enough to lift out and take back to the states if needed. One drawback is we have to pump out our diesel fuel every 3 years and put new in. It just sips diesel fuel. Sailing requires some attention to your capabilities (you and your boat) so we include the lack of big horsepower in our boat in considerations. We now sail all over the Sea of Cortez, been caught in some nastys, spanked a few times, but never wished for more power. We motor and sail to various destinations. It's a great boat, evaluate all of its options, not just motor hp.
I'm with Larry. We have had our 1983 Cat 30 since 1995. Been all over the CA coast, all the islands, and sailed her down to Baja California Mexico where she has resided for the past 10 years. The 11 hp engine is easy to work on (never needed), small enough to lift out and take back to the states if needed. One drawback is we have to pump out our diesel fuel every 3 years and put new in. It just sips diesel fuel. Sailing requires some attention to your capabilities (you and your boat) so we include the lack of big horsepower in our boat in considerations. We now sail all over the Sea of Cortez, been caught in some nastys, spanked a few times, but never wished for more power. We motor and sail to various destinations. It's a great boat, evaluate all of its options, not just motor hp.
Don't listen to anyone who says 11hp is sufficient for a Cat 30. I struggled with the underpowered engine for years and put over $15,000 into it. It was dangerous at times. Putting in a 20hp made all the difference in the world ($13,000.) Good luck.
Captain Steve
Captain Steve
Try This Logic
The minimum HP requirement for a catalina25, which weighs about 4500 pounds, is a 9.9HP. A C30, fully loaded, weighs over 12,500 pounds!! An 11HP engine in not sufficient for a C30 and that is the reason it was quickly discontinued by Catalina. On flat water locations or lakes you can get away with it but Catalina received too many compliants about this inadequate engine.
The only people who think the 11HP engine is adequate are those folks that are stuck with them and wish they had a bigger engine or have owned one in the past.
The question to the C30 owners of 11 HP engines is, if you were buying a new C30 would you order it with an 11HP engine?
If I found a C30 that was the apple of my eye and I just had to have it but it had a 11HP engine I would use the small engine as a factor in reducing the price and I would use the difference I saved to repower. Also, the fact these engines are easy to repair is not a real factor - given proper care they will outlast the next two owners of the boat.
The minimum HP requirement for a catalina25, which weighs about 4500 pounds, is a 9.9HP. A C30, fully loaded, weighs over 12,500 pounds!! An 11HP engine in not sufficient for a C30 and that is the reason it was quickly discontinued by Catalina. On flat water locations or lakes you can get away with it but Catalina received too many compliants about this inadequate engine.
The only people who think the 11HP engine is adequate are those folks that are stuck with them and wish they had a bigger engine or have owned one in the past.
The question to the C30 owners of 11 HP engines is, if you were buying a new C30 would you order it with an 11HP engine?
If I found a C30 that was the apple of my eye and I just had to have it but it had a 11HP engine I would use the small engine as a factor in reducing the price and I would use the difference I saved to repower. Also, the fact these engines are easy to repair is not a real factor - given proper care they will outlast the next two owners of the boat.
Some disagree
Interesting that the Pardeys on Seraffyn sailed all over the world with NO engine.
http://www.48north.com/nov_2005/pardeys.htm
It is a sailboat!
Interesting that the Pardeys on Seraffyn sailed all over the world with NO engine.
http://www.48north.com/nov_2005/pardeys.htm
It is a sailboat!
Here's a sailboat with "adequate" power
http://www.macgregorsailboats.com/macgregor-26-powering.html
http://www.macgregorsailboats.com/macgregor-26-powering.html
I agree with those who think its underpowered for this boat. But, one thing for sure, if you have any inlets that have a fast current on the in or out going tide you best stay away from the 11HP. I have sailed in Pensacola a good bit and the tide there and in SanDestin are very challenging if your underpowered.
Regards,
George
GRorndorff@knology.net
Regards,
George
GRorndorff@knology.net
With 11HP you might find in a stiff headwind and current that you are going backwards! In the SF bay I have been swept sideways and we have a repowered catalina 30 with 26HP. (M25 xpb) 90% of the time 11HP may be fine, but the 10% when you need it, It will be when your wishing you were back on land.
As a rule of thumb, Yanmar says you need 1 HP for each 500 lbs of loaded boat weight...do the numbers and then you decide, you'll have to live with it.
I have had my 5411 on my 1982 Catalina 30 that I bought new and use all the time. I mainly sail it, and it is underpowered into forty knots and five foot waves, but pretty much OK into anything under twenty knots and three foot seas. No question I would have liked more HP, but it has done the job, if not as well as I would have liked.
It would not be a deal killer, but being twenty-five years old, its repower time anyway.
It would not be a deal killer, but being twenty-five years old, its repower time anyway.
It depends on how you plan to use the boat. Can you provide more detail? Is the lower HP a good negotiating point and will you get the boat at the right price? I have a ’78 C-30 with a 12HP Yanmar / YSM12. I will be the first to say its underpowered but for my needs and uses its fine and allowed me to get my price when negotiating. With 2 small kids – we do a tom of day-sailing and weekends on the bay. We like to do 1 cruise every summer for a few days to a week. If you planning on taking the boat on very-longs trips regularly, I would recommend against the 11hp.
Also – keep in mind, a bigger engine is only going to get you the following: 1) 1.7 knots in extra speed (my boat cruises at 5 knots – all C-30 top out at 6.7 regardless of HP) and 2) extra power in headwinds, waves, currents and perhaps AMPs with a bigger alternator. I motor about 1 mile from my dock and put my sails up…there is no wind, I drop the anchor and relax.
Also – keep in mind, a bigger engine is only going to get you the following: 1) 1.7 knots in extra speed (my boat cruises at 5 knots – all C-30 top out at 6.7 regardless of HP) and 2) extra power in headwinds, waves, currents and perhaps AMPs with a bigger alternator. I motor about 1 mile from my dock and put my sails up…there is no wind, I drop the anchor and relax.
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