Synthetic Oils????

[rpell1@msn.com]

As a new 1991Catalina 30 owner, I am wondering if there would be any benefit to using a fully or blended sythetic motor oil for my Universal M25X motor? If so, what type, weight and brand?

The maintenance log on this motor shows oil & filter changes about every 50 hours and the motor has 1100 hours as of now.

It has been using Shell Rotella oil over the past few years and I'm wondering if I should just continue with this oil?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Stu Jackson]

We've been using Mobil 1 for eight years

on our M25 on our 1986 C34. Others have used Rotella successfully. Your PO did a very good job in keeping that log and doing it regularly.

PS - we have 2300 engine hours, friends with an '88 have 4500 on their M25XP

 

[Bad Obsession]

Congradulations on the new boat, she looks great. I see you have the walk out transom. Very nice!

My Catalina 30 is a 1990. It has had good care and maintenance too. It is a great boat and I am continuing to add stuff to her. I have done battery upgrades, had an autohelm added, and quite a few other projects. If you have any questions feel free to ask, you have come to a good place!

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Appreciation....

Many thanks for the offer and good wishes. I am looking foward to lots of "air-time" with this boat and am a real stickler for maintenance.

Happy Sailing,

Ralph

 

[Bad Obsession]

Some of the maintenance I don't mind, actually enjoy. I love projects that make the boat look better but in the end, I love to sail the most. There is a guy at my marina that keeps incredible care of his boat. He spends more time taking care of it then he does cruising it. There is a fine ballance there.

MKII is a great model. You will enjoy a lot of the features on the boat. I have done some work on my MKii and I will be doing more this year. One thing that I am adding into the system is an accumulator tank to help the water pressure on the boat.

 

[Maine Sail]

Not necesary IMHO..

With the maintenance schedule you run, 50 hours, and the age of your motor I would stick with what she's been fed up until now.

Here are photos of our Westerbeke 44B with 2800+ hours on the clock. The only oil this engine has ever seen is regular Rotella T.

Top End

Valve Cover

I'd stick with Rotella T conventional...

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Re: Not necesary IMHO..

Thank you much....I am sold!!! You can EAT off that engine!

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

I never let maintenance interfere with my "air-time". Fortunately, in this area the best wind is in the afternoon.....leaving most of the mornings for cleaning, maintenance or.................fishing!!

Happy Sailing,

Ralph

 

[Bad Obsession]

I like to make a 30 nauticle mile a day sail when I am cruising. Sometimes I will go longer and sometimes I will go shorter. I try to sail until I start going backwards because of current and then I start the engine.

There is a trick with some things where you get underway and then do some maintenance while under way.

 

[fox islander]

Delo 400

I use Chevron Delo 400, mainly because thats what the PO used I guess. I swap it out each spring...which usually amounts to around 100 hrs. That being said...i'd be more than willing to switch brands and lower the hrs between swaps to get an engine looking like Maine's.

-Steve
Sonrisa - C30Mk2 w/ M25XP

 

[Big Windy]

If you keep the frequency of oil changes, keep using the Rotella. It's good oil, I use it in the boat and my diesel truck.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I second the use in a truck. I use it in my F350 diesel 7.3 liter engine. It has 169,000 miles on it. Engine runs like its new!