Diesel inboard cat

[5cougarsthanx]

Hi all,
I am wanting info on single engine cats.I am looking at a 7 metre cat with a 200 hp volvo penta with duoprop.How reliable are these legs and motors.What characteristics does a single engine have in a cat versus a twin motor set up.Is 200 hp enough to power this type of vessel.What speeds and fuel usage should i expect.Looking forward to your replys.
Cougarman

[snelly1971]

PM Pete...Grand Marlin he own one is up with them..

Cheers Mick

[Grand_Marlin]

Are you looking at the one on Boatpoint? In Port Macquarie?

[snelly1971]

You might as well sell him yours Pete...you never use it???

Mick

[5cougarsthanx]

Peter
Yes thats the one its also advertised on ebay as well.
Cheers
Peter

[Grand_Marlin]

I am looking at a 7 metre cat with a 200 hp volvo penta with duoprop.

How reliable are these legs and motors.
Leg and motor are generally very reliable. It depends on how well they have been looked after, their age, and if they have been kept in tthe water permanently there is more likely to be mechanical trouble.
Motor should do 10+ thousand hours.
Check to see what model Volvo it is and what year model.
The last of this model was the AD41P ... the P being the last of the series ... only discontinued recently in favour of the new D4 which is a 4 cyl 210hp - not 6 cyl 200hp like the last series.

What characteristics does a single engine have in a cat versus a twin motor set up.
Completely different feeling boat ... it drives more like a big flybridge cruiser than a nimble twin engined cat.
You get the speed you want, then let it go ... you dont work the throttles like you would in a twin outboard powered version.
The diesel has heaps of torque, and will sit up on the plane easier than an outboard powered cat, especially at lower speeds.
They single doesnt turn as easily as the twin, namely because you cant forward / reverse each motor to spin it on the spot.
They are still suprisingly manouverable ... the duo prop give lots of bite in the water

Is 200 hp enough to power this type of vessel.
200hp is adequate ... remember they are a completely different feel to drive.
The older 165 hp motor that came out in the early cats was noticeably underpowered.

What speeds and fuel usage should i expect.
Top speed will be around 28 knots, with a comfortable cruise at 22 - 24 knots
Fuel usage at cruise will be around 35 litres per hour.

The single diesel is a great option for economy, just not speed.
You still get the legendary Sharkcat ride, stabilty and seaworthiness.

Cheers

Pete

[5cougarsthanx]

Thanks for the info Pete much appreciated.
Cheers
Peter

[Grand_Marlin]

Are you going to have a crack at it?

[5cougarsthanx]

Pete,
At this stage i would think not,long term though its ultimately what i would like to get into.Would prefer the model with the bigger cabin for doing overnighters etc.
You mentioned a figure of 35 litres per hr.I would have thought the diesel would have been more efficient than that or is that running flat out
Cheers
Peter

[Grand_Marlin]

The 35 lph is based on the couple of trips I did in mine ... only short trips.

Also, a number of other people who have had the same motor, but in monohull boats have reported similar fuel usage.

Also, a 35ft flybridge Caribbean with twin 330hp Cummins is only using 35 lph per side.

So, the Cat may be a bit better, but at cruise speed I am pretty confident it will be around 35 lph ... obviously a lot less at trolling speeds.

Cheers

Pete

By the way, I just saw Snellys comment ... smartar$e one day, not too far away, it will be back on the water.