we have a Montego 25 at the moment. once ours sells, we are looking a couple of Catalina 30's right now. One that we like has a 11HP Universal diesel. is this enough HP for that boat? Comments please.
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Eleven HP??
- Thread starter rippleeffect709
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Ripple,
I have an '85 C30 with the Universal Model 18 (14hp) which I believe is the fresh water cooled version of the 5411 (11hp) engine to which you are refering.
I find the M18 to be just fine in most circumstances but I sail in an area (Galveston Bay) that has pretty flat water and little current so it's not often that I wished I had more hp. That being said I guess there is a reason that most of the C30's out there have the M25 installed in them and that engine might well be better sized to the boat.
If you just need the engine to get out of your slip and back and the occasional windless motor home or overnight trip it would probably be fine. If your plans involve some longer distance cruising I think that personally I would think twice about that engine.
I do find that my M18 lacks the hp to punch through any significant chop at a reasonable speed, and quite often I'm doing that at three or four knots. I guess the upside though is that when it's that choppy the wind is usually blowing anyway.
Take care, DanM.
I have an '85 C30 with the Universal Model 18 (14hp) which I believe is the fresh water cooled version of the 5411 (11hp) engine to which you are refering.
I find the M18 to be just fine in most circumstances but I sail in an area (Galveston Bay) that has pretty flat water and little current so it's not often that I wished I had more hp. That being said I guess there is a reason that most of the C30's out there have the M25 installed in them and that engine might well be better sized to the boat.
If you just need the engine to get out of your slip and back and the occasional windless motor home or overnight trip it would probably be fine. If your plans involve some longer distance cruising I think that personally I would think twice about that engine.
I do find that my M18 lacks the hp to punch through any significant chop at a reasonable speed, and quite often I'm doing that at three or four knots. I guess the upside though is that when it's that choppy the wind is usually blowing anyway.
Take care, DanM.
The M18 is probably the best engine ever, and is ideal for the C27 at around 7000lbs, but with a C30 running roughly 4000lbs more and you being in Nova Scotia, I'd want the M25. Both are virtually bulletproof if you take care of them.
ThX
Thank you all for your insight. AS we look at "up-sizing" we want to end up with the boat that will best suit our needs. I hope to get more replies but i see a pattern developing here. I recalled being told the same type of things at some point in the past. we do need to make sure we're not under powered.
Waters off NOva Scotia can be demanding.
thanks again and i look forward to more input.
Thank you all for your insight. AS we look at "up-sizing" we want to end up with the boat that will best suit our needs. I hope to get more replies but i see a pattern developing here. I recalled being told the same type of things at some point in the past. we do need to make sure we're not under powered.
Waters off NOva Scotia can be demanding.
thanks again and i look forward to more input.
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Ripple,
I have the 3M20A in my C30. I live on the left coast of Florida @ John's Pass. The tides can run pretty strong at the pass and during full & new moons, really pick up speed. At such times, I may be making 1/2 to 1 knot speed thru my tight pass.
My old 5411 In sea conditions was very weak. Remember 11HP (nominal), is at the flywheel and only at max RPM. You'll lose HP down the shaft to the prop so your actual HP will be 50+/-%, sometimes less.
I moved to a 3-blade prop which helped but it was very hard on the engine.
Not the greatest power, but it all depends on your location. Located further North, I would think that your area has alot of tidal current and maybe sea conditions to deal with.
I assume you are looking at early '80s versions when the rule of thumb was 2HP per ton (always thought this to be quite conservativley stupid). This is quite insufficient for areas of strong tidal movement & seas.
It took me forever to go anywhere or keep up with more powerful boats. I was always the last to motor in. The storms in my area can be very sever at times & I remember times where the chop was high and only a boat length apart. In these conditions, running at only maybe 1-2 knots. The prop would leave the water and my speed would drop to a standstill. Motoring was a mute point and I would need to storm-sail my way through. And, this was because my engine didn't have enough "ass" to plow thru at a higher speed.
I'll bet some will disagree with me on this, but everyone has his/her own opinion, and that's what makes this a good site for the exchange of ideas.
It was for me a sore spot until I repowered.
In looking for a boat let me say that any catalinas built from 1990 on up is like 100 years difference in engineering/construction/thinking. There wasn't great detail back in 1980 in quality control & assembly as the newer models posess. Just something to keep in mind pal, and not be conservative in choosing engine power...
CR
I have the 3M20A in my C30. I live on the left coast of Florida @ John's Pass. The tides can run pretty strong at the pass and during full & new moons, really pick up speed. At such times, I may be making 1/2 to 1 knot speed thru my tight pass.
My old 5411 In sea conditions was very weak. Remember 11HP (nominal), is at the flywheel and only at max RPM. You'll lose HP down the shaft to the prop so your actual HP will be 50+/-%, sometimes less.
I moved to a 3-blade prop which helped but it was very hard on the engine.
Not the greatest power, but it all depends on your location. Located further North, I would think that your area has alot of tidal current and maybe sea conditions to deal with.
I assume you are looking at early '80s versions when the rule of thumb was 2HP per ton (always thought this to be quite conservativley stupid). This is quite insufficient for areas of strong tidal movement & seas.
It took me forever to go anywhere or keep up with more powerful boats. I was always the last to motor in. The storms in my area can be very sever at times & I remember times where the chop was high and only a boat length apart. In these conditions, running at only maybe 1-2 knots. The prop would leave the water and my speed would drop to a standstill. Motoring was a mute point and I would need to storm-sail my way through. And, this was because my engine didn't have enough "ass" to plow thru at a higher speed.
I'll bet some will disagree with me on this, but everyone has his/her own opinion, and that's what makes this a good site for the exchange of ideas.
It was for me a sore spot until I repowered.
In looking for a boat let me say that any catalinas built from 1990 on up is like 100 years difference in engineering/construction/thinking. There wasn't great detail back in 1980 in quality control & assembly as the newer models posess. Just something to keep in mind pal, and not be conservative in choosing engine power...
CR
I agree, find one with an M25, 21 hp. They made a lot of those, and our C34 website has a tremendous amount of information on that engine to help you once you buy the boat:
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine
Good luck and Happy Holidays.
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine
Good luck and Happy Holidays.
I have a 1984 Catalina 30 Tall-Rig with the Universal 5411 engine. It is fine for sailing on the large lake I call home, but I would want more if I had to deal with tides and currents. On the plus side, this little engine runs great, seems bullet-proof, and will go all season on a little more than a half tank of fuel the way I use it.
Had this discussion many times before (try search). Our 30 has the 5411 engine, sailed & motored from central CA down to La Paz Mexico. Spend 4-5 months on the boat sailing in the Sea of Cortez. Need to pay attention to tides, Wx, etc. as you cannot power over severe conditions. Even found a "sail" that comes in handy if one doesn't want to motor. It is a sailboat. Have not been terrified as a result of the 11 hp motor. Hardly uses any diesel fuel, has been bullet proof. I would consider the other conditions on a prospective boat first. Is it well maintained, have upgrades been made, etc. I certainly would NOT pass up a fine Catalina because of an 11 hp engine. However, all things being equal the larger engine would be preferable.
Everytime I see the title of this thread, I keep thinking there's a connection with this:
http://youtu.be/XuzpsO4ErOQ
http://youtu.be/XuzpsO4ErOQ
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