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SV NOCHUZ · 02-01-2021, 14:21

Hello All;
In the market for a used 40’-46’ sail cat and am seeing a lot of the 42’ and less boats equipped with the 29HP YANMARS. How do these small engines push the boat around? Has anyone had any trouble fighting a tide race or current? TIA for any opinions/experience that you can share.
Heath

**Wotname** · 02-01-2021, 14:30

Welcome aboard CF, SVNOCHUZ.

That is plenty of HP for 40'+ cat, most of the time, the engines will be operating well below max power rpm.

chris mac · 02-01-2021, 14:49

Our 42'cat has 2 27hp. They move us around fine

Sand crab · 03-01-2021, 03:09

All the manufacturers spec out a lower HP base engine which is commonly used in the charter versions. For instance the 20HP engine is standard on the popular Lagoon 380 but you will see quite a few upgraded to 30HP (or near 30HP). Most people upgrade one size up for a private/owner boat. The lower HP version will get the job done but might have some issues in some conditions. A heavy 46' boat with 30HP motors will most likely struggle at times but you don't see many equipped that way.

The @30HP motors are popular so there's lots of parts and knowledge around.

theBigKahuna · 03-01-2021, 16:58

Our Leopard 40 sailcat has twin 29s.... your not going to go terribly fast. But, as stated, they do the job. We've had her on several rivers w/ quite substantial current and she does fine... slow, but you get there.

**Wotname** · 03-01-2021, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by theBigKahuna

Our Leopard 40 sailcat has twin 29s.... your not going to go terribly fast. But, as stated, they do the job. We've had her on several rivers w/ quite substantial current and she does fine... slow, but you get there.

Curious mind wants to know what speed you are getting at say half WOT and at WOT in calm still water.

theBigKahuna · 03-01-2021, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wotname

Curious mind wants to know what speed you are getting at say half WOT and at WOT in calm still water.

Smooth water we can get about 7 SOG @ 2800 RPM... never really ran higher... as a side note, lost an engine (since fixed) in 4 ft chop in Alligator river and she handled fine on just 1... nice thing w/ cats... backup systems.

**Wotname** · 03-01-2021, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by theBigKahuna

Smooth water we can get about 7 SOG @ 2800 RPM... never really ran higher... as a side note, lost an engine (since fixed) in 4 ft chop in Alligator river and she handled fine on just 1... nice thing w/ cats... backup systems.

JustMurph · 09-01-2021, 15:36

48' cat here with 3YM30s. The 30s work pretty well given it's an easily driven boat, but you wouldn't want smaller. We do about 7 knots at 2800rpm on a single engine and about 9.5 flat out on both.

I suppose the only time I wish for more is when manoeuvring with a strong cross wind. Gets the job done, but you gotta let them sing.

**Wotname** · 09-01-2021, 15:53

Additional 'unused' horsepower = additional unused weight (42/7).

Mostly unused weight is bad for a cat.

Sand crab · 09-01-2021, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustMurph

48' cat here with 3YM30s. The 30s work pretty well given it's an easily driven boat, but you wouldn't want smaller. We do about 7 knots at 2800rpm on a single engine and about 9.5 flat out on both.

I suppose the only time I wish for more is when manoeuvring with a strong cross wind. Gets the job done, but you gotta let them sing.

What's your boat weigh?