Motors for 40' Cruising Cat

[paulrack]

Thanks for all the info. I will also check on Lombardini, I am not sure if they are available in South Africa. I will be fitting folding props as I do not want to lose speed sailing with the drag from fixed props. The YM test was great, a pity however that some of the props arrived late for the test. I will be initially sailing based in Cape Town. Will look to go to Mozambique and Madagascar. Will aim after a few years to take the boat to the Med for a while and spend some time there then across to the Carribean. We currently charter in Croatia in June and really love it. (before all the crowds arrive in July/August)

If I do upgrade to a more powerful motor I am not sure that I will be able to go the Yanmar route as there is a big weight difference between the Yanmar (213kg) and Volvo (189kg). In the yanmar some people have referred to a 35hp, is that still available. My research showed it went from a 29hp to a 39hp? In terms of makes I have an 18hp Yanmar in my monohull which is now over 20 years old. It still goes like a dream and starts first time every time.

[Cheechako]

yep, looks like the 35 HP is gone....................

[fastcat435]

In our 45 ft FastCat we have placed 29 hp yanmar , 30 hp lombardini and 40 hp lombardini
the 30 hp lombardini are the smoothest and the max speed is only .2 of a knot difference with the 40 hp lombardini, the noise and vibration on the 30 is less and the weight and consumption is less.
In combination with a 2 blade racing prop from Flex O fold a winner.

Greetings
Gideon

[paulrack]

The lombardini motors look interesting, they are a lot lighter. Are they available in Douth Africa, I looked on their dealer website and it looks fairly thinly spread.

[fastcat435]

We import them directly from Italy and normally have the 20 / 30 and 40 hp saildrive in stock
I should look if the 30 hp or 40 hp are presently there

Greetings

Gideon

[Talbot]

Beta Marine have representation in a lot of countries including South Africa

Their saildrive range includes 25 hp, 28 hp, 35 hp, 37.5 hp and 43 hp.

worth a look

[Tropic Cat]

Get the larger engines. You won't regret it.

Incidentally the weight difference is that of a petite lady sitting on your transom. In other words, it's insignificant on that size boat.

[Harryg]

Weight is the enemy of multihulls. I will installing Lombardinis or Vetus 29hp motors in my 43 foot schionning cat to keep the weight as low as possible. Harry

[Talbot]

Lombardini 30 - 141 kg (inc saildrive)
Yanmar 3YM30-SD - 157 kg (inc saildrive)
Vetus M3-28 (27hp) - 123 kg (engine only)
Volvo D1-30 - 158 kg )inc saildrive
Beta BD-1005 (28HP) - 175 kg (inc saildrive)
Nanni N3-30 (29 HP) - 183 kg (inc Saildrive)

Thus the Lombardini does save you a bit of weight, but the amount of variance between them all is so little (= 16 gallons of water for 2 engines)

Personally I would be going for the most reliable and cheapest on spares as my two highest requirements, second order requirement would be availability of spares worldwide, and fifth order requirement for the lightest.

[Jeannius]

Originally Posted by Harryg

Weight is the enemy of multihulls. I will installing Lombardinis or Vetus 29hp motors in my 43 foot schionning cat to keep the weight as low as possible. Harry

I recently went aboard a very nice Dean 441 out here in the Caribbean. The only complaint the owner had was the difficulty of obtaining spares for the Vetus engines. Don't know what it is like in your part of the world.

[Tropic Cat]

The weight difference between these engines is completely irrelevant for this size boat.

[imagine2frolic]

TC,

I don't think he heard you, and I am in agreement with you................i2f

[Nordic cat]

I would look at the 39 Yanmars with the additional 3 or 6 KVA 230 VAC generator for only around 30 kgs extra. Much lighter than a genny if you are considering that option.

Most of these small marine diesels have pretty much the same fuel consumption if you measure it in grams/brakeKWh. ( at the propshaft) Discussing any other measurement of fuel consuption is a bit futile, as wetted surface area, surface roughness, windage, hullshape, prop efficiency, all have strong influences on the fuel consumption.

A set of good folding props, and an engine that is running in the correct range for your normal use is what you need. A bit more torque when going against the wind and current is always handy.

On a well designed 40 footer, the 60kg difference should not be a big issue, especially if you can balance it out with tankage forward.

Alan

[sandy daugherty]

Weight control is a constant vigil, and the much repeated phrase "it's only 32 kg more" applies to every single thing that goes aboard. For most of us, the slightly greater speed of a catamaran is a drawing point (but obviously not for all of us, Rick) and speed evaporates somewhere along about the second time you repeat that phrase. Just once in all the sailing I've done on my PDQ has 20 total horspower not been enough almost. We made it in anyway, pitching 30 degrees. I could have done smarter things.

[maxingout]

We Have 3GM30F Yanmars - fresh water cooled. 14 years old and still going strong. 4500 hours on each engine. No overhauls. Straight Shaft. Very reliable engines. The only thing we ever change on them is salt water pump impellers, exhaust elbows, and Balmar alternators.

Awesome engines. For a Privilege 39 fully loaded with cruising gear, I power on one engine at 5 knots.

I am extremely happy with my Yanmars.