New to me Catalina 30

Picflight · Jan 11, 2014

Congratulations!

dj2210 · Jan 11, 2014

Enjoy the boat. Where will you be sailing? Your 11hp and prop is probably fine depending on where you sail. Garhauer makes travelers that are used on Catalina's. What do you have now?

azguy · Jan 12, 2014

Most travelers on C30's is my area are on the cabin top

Bob4203 · Jan 12, 2014

Congradulations.
Your Universal 11 will do just fine on Lake Michigan with a two bladed prop for getting you out to your sailing area and back. A three blade will not not necessarily make your boat faster. However, if you encounter rough weather and plan on hauling butt back to the harbor keep in mind that you will need to give yourself more time as the 11 hp is not known for its blazing speed on these boats. The 11 hp was replaced by the M-18 (16 hp) and then by the M-25 (22-23 hp). Catalina finally got it right with the M-25.
You have no tides nor currents to contend with.

enjoy

pencema · Jan 12, 2014

I recently replaced the so-called 12 hp (more like 10) Yanmar YSE-12 on my 75 with a Beta 16 2-cylinder with a 3-blade prop. I've gone 7.1 kts at 3,000 rpm. Flat water, moderate breeze, Chesapeake Bay.

That engine fit with no alterations to the engine compartment, other than moving the side hatch to the front for better access. No bump under the dinette seat, used hi-rise exhaust, etc. Like it was made for the boat.

Stu Jackson · Jan 12, 2014

This is a frequently recurring topic. You might want to try a forum search (top blue tab) and try "11 hp" and other criteria for earlier discussions.

Good luck. In general, skippers with these engines found them adequate for most conditions.

Coriolisbc · Jan 12, 2014

Congrats on your purchase, what hull # are you?
I have the M25XP, but seldom use it a full throttle, so you should be ok.
Post up some pics.

chrisings · Jan 13, 2014

Congratulations!! I'm in the same boat (no pun intended) althought I'm lucky and have the M25.

Good luck!

jrowan · Jan 13, 2014

I also have the 11 Hp diesel on our 1980 C 30. First, I have debated whether to replace the prop, but you really risk over torqueing an old engine, & over taxing it & causing extra transmission wear. Second, there is not a lot of clearance between the hull & the existing prop as it is mounted rather close to the aft end of the keel, rather then close to the rudder as in many other sailboats. THe engine is adeqaute for most conditions, & I agree with Bob that you don't have tides to contend with on the Great Lakes as we do in open water.
The C-30 is a great boat, & the trade off in smaller engine is worth it, as your tall rig should perform well under sail, & that's what really counts anyway. We did after all buy a sail boat, not a power boat, right?
Lasty, make sure you inspect the wooden bow sprit for cracks & rot & if you have the wooden spreaders on the mast have them inspected aloft for rot. Spruce is good wood, but doesn't last forever. Since you forestay is attached to the sprit it is kind of important. As far as your aft traveller, try sailing with it first before replacing it, becuase it is a lot easier to adjust next to the helm when single handed. Just watch your head when tacking or jibing!

Good luck & enjoy your classic.

jakez · Jan 15, 2014

I have the Universal 5411 11hp with a 3 blade prop and run it out of Marina Del Rey... I have no issue with the power. I can run about 6 knots under engine only in calm seas and moderate wind. It think the 5411 would probably be too little power if you're dock was up a river, etc. In a current, it might be a bit light.
My 3 blade, from what I've noticed compared to two bladed props, gives me more low speed torque / maneuvering power. I can change the boats direction quickly -- ie, when coming into a leeward slip a bit spicier than planned, etc.
Congrats... fun boat with lots of things you can do to it.

jrowan · Jan 20, 2014

With a clean bottom I can also move our boat along with the 5411 at close to 6 knots in calm water. So I wonder how much more speed you really gain from the the third blade.
I'm sure you do get more torque at slower speeds & possibly a knot or so of potential extra speed. But remember that whatever speed you gain with a 3 blade prop is also increased drag under sail, & we are after all supposed to be sailing out boats, right?
I don't know for certain, but an extra blade of resistance could cost you a half knot or more under sail. As far is motoring, we check the tide schedules & try to sail out with the tide & sail back to the marina with the prevailing wind & tide with us & not against us. This makes a huge difference in the speed & efficiency of the boat sailing where you want to go in a timely manner. This is true for any sail boat. Sailing with the wind & tide can add two knots to our speed, or if the tide is against you can rob you of the same amount.

My advice to a new sailor is to try out what you have & learn to sail the existing boat's set up, before attempting to make expensive changes that may or may not improve performance. A $75.00 hull cleaning by a local diver is the cheapest way to immediately improve the performance of any boat under power or sail.

1dandy · Jan 22, 2014

Congrats and get ready for a lasting relationship with the Cat.
I changed my two blade for a three blade because of menouvering problems in the slip area and not for speed. I sail it. The three blade made a great deal of difference and in windy conditions coming and going from my slip is a breeze pardon the pun.

Dandy

jrowan · Jan 23, 2014

burnswelds said:
Thankyou ! We're excited for a larger boat, I'm going to miss our current boat ( 27 ft S2) but our family is growing so we have to go bigger. I am without a doubt going to switch to a 3 blade prop. Not really worried about the drag. When I want to go fast I'll go jump on a race boat ( 1d48) ! Kind regards , Shannon

Shannon, That's a funny coincidence. Our previous boat before our current C-30 was also an S 2! We had a 1980 S 2 8.5 meter (28 feet) which was very similar / same as yours. It was a great boat, but a little too small down below for a family of 4. The funny thing about the auxillary power was that the S 2 only had an 8 horse power 1 cylinder Yanmar diesel, so I feel right at home with our still under powered 11 horse Universal diesel in the Cat.
She sailed great though & was very well built, but alas I tried to stretch her out in length & width, & wound up with a Catalina 30. Cheers.

jrowan · Jan 26, 2014

Shannon, I must agree that the S 2 line of sailboats are indeed faster then Catalina's are.
Although when the bottom is clean, the sails are in good condition & trimmed right, & you don't have an excessive amount of stuff stored below or full water tanks, etc. she can actually move at a pretty good clip of speed. My S 2 was able to rocket up to about 8 knots when running with the current. I have been able to get 7.2 knots with my C 30, which ain't bad for a boat that is about 2,500 pounds heavier then my S 2. I do feel that the Catalina 30 is a stiffer boat under sail, is more stable & stays on her feet better. Plus the huge amount of space down below cannot be beat in a 30 footer. I've sailed boats that were 35 footers that did not have such a good use of space in the cabin. We love our C 30, & until my ship comes in, I cannot think of a better 30 footer to own. Cheers.