Diesel catamaran
#11
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From: naples,florida
I was thinking bravo 1x or 2x diesel drives. They are rated for 370 diesel horses so 270 shouldn’t be bad. I also cruise, not offshore racing. Kevlacat put 170 diesels in their 7.2 meter hulls and got better than 3 mpg and greater than 40 mph top end speed. Those hulls also bow steered less with the motors shafted forward a bit.
I’ve spent years and thousands of miles in a 22 SeaCat and though you go where no other 22 footer would go as we did across the Gulf Stream regularly with 4 people and a half ton of supplies and dive gear you had to respect the handling. Big Following seas will find you floating upside down if you don’t dial things back.
The 29 Hydro cat I’ve spent some time on and is a 10 foot wide boat that handled the best of the cats I’ve been in.
My niece has a SeaHunter 41 cat and it handles like crap because it has asymmetrical planning hulls. Obviously they didn’t look back in history and ride on a Blue Thunder cat.
#12
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From: Sarasota FL Priest River ID
#13
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From: naples,florida
I spent 20 thousand on parts the first 2 years with my Yanmar 300 back in 2000. I know it wasn’t a Yanmar design like the 370 but all those light weight motors are usually marinized land motors.
Last edited by tommymonza; 08-08-2024 at 07:31 PM.
#14
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I’ve ridden in a twin vee 260, world cat 280, world cat 230ccx, and eastward 2400 seaward. The Seaward is a 3000 with 6 foot lopped off the stern. Twin Vee and world cat 230 require a bit more handling to stay upright. 280 and 2400 have significantly higher tunnels. I like how they ride but dealing with angry fish on the planer rod makes me jealous of my buddy’s 32 Albe.
#16
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From: Sarasota FL Priest River ID
To me the only benefit of diesel is when you can’t economically power a larger boat with gas. The value of diesel savings is hardly ever recovered by the original owner and can quickly become a liability once they need service or repair. Think Caterpillar or Volvo. .
I spent 20 thousand on parts in my first year with my Yanmar the first 2 years with my Yanmar 300 back in 2000. I know it wasn’t a Yanmar design like the 370 but all those light weight motors are usually marinized land motors.
I spent 20 thousand on parts in my first year with my Yanmar the first 2 years with my Yanmar 300 back in 2000. I know it wasn’t a Yanmar design like the 370 but all those light weight motors are usually marinized land motors.
Oh I agree, if I do another one I’ll do trip 300’s and call it good. But this one’s staying diesel.
#18
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From: naples,florida
I’ve ridden in a twin vee 260, world cat 280, world cat 230ccx, and eastward 2400 seaward. The Seaward is a 3000 with 6 foot lopped off the stern. Twin Vee and world cat 230 require a bit more handling to stay upright. 280 and 2400 have significantly higher tunnels. I like how they ride but dealing with angry fish on the planer rod makes me jealous of my buddy’s 32 Albe.
#19
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From: naples,florida
Last edited by tommymonza; 08-08-2024 at 07:32 PM.
#20
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The albemarle weighs 14000lb or more ready for battle. I would need a wet slip. They dont power it with diesel anymore for a new build. Most new 31s are twin or triple high hp outboards. They also don’t come in a center console configuration. The old 31 trolled like a champ though.






