I am interested in buying a 1981 Catalina 30. It has an 11 hp diesel with 300 hours on it. In our current boat (a 1992 Macgregor 26) we found that in the rough stuff we could barely make headway with the 8 hp outboard. Considering the size and weight of the Catalina, will it make much more headway than I do now? Should I pass on this boat and look for one with a larger engine? Currently, we motor a fair bit and I expect we will motor about the same amount of time in the next boat we buy. Thanks in advance!
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My $.02 worth
Allow me to say that I don't have a Cat 30 with an 11 Hp. so this is what I hear from others, but I actively read the board... and the common concesus is that if you don't travel where there is much current, or get into situations where you need the extra horsepower an 11 Hp. would be Okay. Saying that I think we all sometimes get into situations that are unexpected, thats life. It's a tuff call, the final decision has to be yours. Hopefully someone with an 11 Hp. will respond and give a better opinion than I can. If it's a great deal on the boat, analyze your situation and make a choice. Cat 30's are great boats. 11 Hp.???? Hard call. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
Allow me to say that I don't have a Cat 30 with an 11 Hp. so this is what I hear from others, but I actively read the board... and the common concesus is that if you don't travel where there is much current, or get into situations where you need the extra horsepower an 11 Hp. would be Okay. Saying that I think we all sometimes get into situations that are unexpected, thats life. It's a tuff call, the final decision has to be yours. Hopefully someone with an 11 Hp. will respond and give a better opinion than I can. If it's a great deal on the boat, analyze your situation and make a choice. Cat 30's are great boats. 11 Hp.???? Hard call. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
11 HP
Catalina has made over 7,000 C 30s since they started cranking them out in 1974. A great many are the 11 hp model you are considering. Although I am not a C30 owner, I would not rule out the boat simply because it has an 11 hp engine. There are lots of them out there doing doing a great job. Also, 300 hours is very low.
Catalina has made over 7,000 C 30s since they started cranking them out in 1974. A great many are the 11 hp model you are considering. Although I am not a C30 owner, I would not rule out the boat simply because it has an 11 hp engine. There are lots of them out there doing doing a great job. Also, 300 hours is very low.
11 HP
What is the current HP for a C30? The original C36 had a 21 HP (I believe, or maybe it was 23), then the next upgrade was to 25 HP. Now they are at 35 HP, but they still only go at hull speed, or slower. Find out what the hull speed is for a C30, and if it will do near hull speed it is more than adequate. From there it is more a function of the prop than horse power.
What is the current HP for a C30? The original C36 had a 21 HP (I believe, or maybe it was 23), then the next upgrade was to 25 HP. Now they are at 35 HP, but they still only go at hull speed, or slower. Find out what the hull speed is for a C30, and if it will do near hull speed it is more than adequate. From there it is more a function of the prop than horse power.
FWIW
We owned a share in an O'day 30, 10500# displacement with a 12 hp diesel. The power was adequate. Speed dropped signifcantly in a 25+ knot headwind or in a 5+ knot current, but those conditions were not so common that we were disatisfied. If presented a choice, all things being otherwise equal, a 14 or 16 hp would have been favored if the price differential were less than $1000, otherwise it was good enough. You simply can't make a comparison between diesel inboard horsepower and outboard horsepower. Most outboards are not really designed as sailboat auxillaries. We purchased a Yamaha HiThrust 9.9 four stroke for our previous Cal 27-T/2. Huge difference from the prior engine. It had a lower gear ratio in the foot and turned a huge prop. It would push the Cal at hull speed at half throttle. In heavy air it would push the boat at 5 knots at less than full throttle. Sipped gas too, .75 gal/hr at half throttle. Diesels turn a bigger wheel also and it is located in a better place.
We owned a share in an O'day 30, 10500# displacement with a 12 hp diesel. The power was adequate. Speed dropped signifcantly in a 25+ knot headwind or in a 5+ knot current, but those conditions were not so common that we were disatisfied. If presented a choice, all things being otherwise equal, a 14 or 16 hp would have been favored if the price differential were less than $1000, otherwise it was good enough. You simply can't make a comparison between diesel inboard horsepower and outboard horsepower. Most outboards are not really designed as sailboat auxillaries. We purchased a Yamaha HiThrust 9.9 four stroke for our previous Cal 27-T/2. Huge difference from the prior engine. It had a lower gear ratio in the foot and turned a huge prop. It would push the Cal at hull speed at half throttle. In heavy air it would push the boat at 5 knots at less than full throttle. Sipped gas too, .75 gal/hr at half throttle. Diesels turn a bigger wheel also and it is located in a better place.
11 hp no problem
We have a 1983 Cat 30 with the 11 hp engine. Have had it over 15 years sailing all the Channel Islands of CA and sailed her down to La Paz, Mexico where she has been for the past 5 years. We sail all over the Sea of Cortez. It is a sailboat, not a motorboat. There are so many other things to look for when buying a sailboat than the hp of the engine. All things being equal, sure more hp might be better. We have a problem in that our fuel gets stale since the 11 hp barely uses any. The engine weighs less than 300 lbs and can be removed easily (important down here). We have been against tides, winds, etc and could not power through it and that makes a better sailor and you plan accordingly. Sails up and motor engaged works well too. I would, as a sailor, not want to be dependent upon any one system for my safety. Engines fail at the worst times...best you be accounting for the tides, conditions, etc. Look over the serious parts of the boat and compare these with other boats considered (mast support block, blisters, rudder!!, rigging, electrical, safety equipment). These items will become much more important than HP. Also check the archives as much has been written on this subject. Good luck!
We have a 1983 Cat 30 with the 11 hp engine. Have had it over 15 years sailing all the Channel Islands of CA and sailed her down to La Paz, Mexico where she has been for the past 5 years. We sail all over the Sea of Cortez. It is a sailboat, not a motorboat. There are so many other things to look for when buying a sailboat than the hp of the engine. All things being equal, sure more hp might be better. We have a problem in that our fuel gets stale since the 11 hp barely uses any. The engine weighs less than 300 lbs and can be removed easily (important down here). We have been against tides, winds, etc and could not power through it and that makes a better sailor and you plan accordingly. Sails up and motor engaged works well too. I would, as a sailor, not want to be dependent upon any one system for my safety. Engines fail at the worst times...best you be accounting for the tides, conditions, etc. Look over the serious parts of the boat and compare these with other boats considered (mast support block, blisters, rudder!!, rigging, electrical, safety equipment). These items will become much more important than HP. Also check the archives as much has been written on this subject. Good luck!
Is 11 HP Enough
Rob: You are on the right track with your comparison. The Catalina 25, which weighs about 4000 lbs is powerd generally by a 9.9 HP OB. The Catalina 30 weighs about 10,000 lbs - unloaded. What does that tell you and it almost answers the question - is the 11HP adequate. Years ago, when catalina decided to equip their boats with a diesel, the 11 HP was their first choice but it did not last long because it turned out to be inadequate. It's OK on flat water but not so good in chop. A Mix Master will move you through flat water!!Customer feedback told them they needed a bigger power plant and that's why they started installing them. It would be nice if you could "test drive" this boat you are considering on a choppy day to see if it performs up to your expectations. Maybe it would suit your needs. The resale on the 11 HP (in Long Beach, Ca anyway) does not compare to the C30's with the bigger power plants. I can refer you to 2 top brokers here, who will tell you the 11HP are hard to get rid of. My C30 has the 25XP engine, which is a bored out M25 and it was more than adequate. Regardless of what 11Hp owners say, I mean what do you think they are going to say - they hate it - personally, I think you'd be happier with a larger diesel. The more important question to ask a 11HP owner is, would you buy another one? I'd take an Atomic 4 before I'd buy a 11HP but that's just my preference. The Atomic 4 was and still is a great engine. Unfortunately, the trend is toward diesel but you can really steal the boats with the Atomic 4.
Rob: You are on the right track with your comparison. The Catalina 25, which weighs about 4000 lbs is powerd generally by a 9.9 HP OB. The Catalina 30 weighs about 10,000 lbs - unloaded. What does that tell you and it almost answers the question - is the 11HP adequate. Years ago, when catalina decided to equip their boats with a diesel, the 11 HP was their first choice but it did not last long because it turned out to be inadequate. It's OK on flat water but not so good in chop. A Mix Master will move you through flat water!!Customer feedback told them they needed a bigger power plant and that's why they started installing them. It would be nice if you could "test drive" this boat you are considering on a choppy day to see if it performs up to your expectations. Maybe it would suit your needs. The resale on the 11 HP (in Long Beach, Ca anyway) does not compare to the C30's with the bigger power plants. I can refer you to 2 top brokers here, who will tell you the 11HP are hard to get rid of. My C30 has the 25XP engine, which is a bored out M25 and it was more than adequate. Regardless of what 11Hp owners say, I mean what do you think they are going to say - they hate it - personally, I think you'd be happier with a larger diesel. The more important question to ask a 11HP owner is, would you buy another one? I'd take an Atomic 4 before I'd buy a 11HP but that's just my preference. The Atomic 4 was and still is a great engine. Unfortunately, the trend is toward diesel but you can really steal the boats with the Atomic 4.
I'll give it a shot
Thanks for all the responses. The offer is subject to sea trial and survey, so hopefully the offer will be accepted and hopefully the sea trial will be on a choppy day. I'll let you guys know if I get the boat. Thanks again for all the advice! -Rob
Thanks for all the responses. The offer is subject to sea trial and survey, so hopefully the offer will be accepted and hopefully the sea trial will be on a choppy day. I'll let you guys know if I get the boat. Thanks again for all the advice! -Rob
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