Finally Got TO Use My New 309, Engine Question.

[sigbear]

I bought my 2009, Catalina 309, hull #168 on July 16th, 2010 and finally got to use the boat for the 1st time. My wife and I sailed for the last 3 weeks and had a great time, however, I am wondering how the 21 hp yanmar performs on other 309's.

The owners manual says max RPM is 3800, my boat's max is 3400 and the top end seems a bit slow, here is the basic performance:

RPM Speed
2000 3.5
2500 4.3
2700 4.55
2800 4.65
3000 4.9
3400 5.15

Shouldn't top speed for this boat be 6+?, these readings were taken with a very light cross wind. I bought the boat with 42 hrs on it and put 30 hrs on it in the last 3 weeks.

The yanmar ran well and sounds real smooth which is more important than the top speed, could you please share your thoughts.

Sigbear

 

[GKuffner]

There are several things which could affect your boat speed.

Is your hull clean? What kind of prop do you have? If you have a feathering prop is it adjusted correctly? Is your knot meter calibrated correctly?

I'd start by looking at your hull and knot meter.

I have a feathering 3 blade prop and can get 6.5 K in flat water no. Head wind

Gary
C309 Glory Days

 

[tahomathundr]

Under the same conditions as Gary, I can reach 7 Knots with the 3 blade fixed prop with flat water and no headwind. Bob
C309 #20

 

[sigbear]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

My 309 has just been painted with 2 coats of Trinidad black 1 month ago, so the hull is clean. I believe I have the std. 3 blade prop, had the 50 mile check up, so under flat conditions with no wind or minimal wind how come guy's are 6.5 and 7 knots top speed compared to my 5.1.

It may be my knot meter is off, but what about your max. RPM compared to mine at 3400 RPM max.

Sigbear

 

[tahomathundr]

Re: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Sigbear, Pull your knotmeter and ckeck for any bottom paint or growth that may slow down the paddlewheel. I know mine is sensitive to slime growth here in Puget Sound. I have backed up my speed with the GPS on a 2-way run to negate current. My RPM's max out at 3600. Bob C309 #20

 

[jsalley]

Re: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Just got back from a 3 day cruise (am typing this on the boat!). I get 3600 RPM max, and about 6.5-7 knots SOG in flat water with a clean bottom and the standard 3 blade prop. I remember seeing your boat on the hard before you bought it; at that time, it also had the standard fixed 3 blader. I'd check your knotmeter; as long as tides or currents aren't an issue, check your speed with a GPS and calibrate the knotmeter to that.

(edit - Sorry, Bob; didn't see your post before mine saying the same thing)