Association Forum - mast slot for main and engine.

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

mast slot for main and engine.

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

paddykember
Deckhand

Member Avatar

4 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/30/2003 : 18:12:35

Hi everyone. New to this forum, and as would be expected I am asking for help.
a)Some time ago, before getting my Cat 25 Swing 1979, sail # 550, I read that someone was making something that would close this slot. Since I never take main completly off, and it is a pain in the neck every time you want to raise or lower it, I would appreciate any advice in this matter. Remember seeing something very simple, efficient and unexpensive.

b) Which is maximum HP that cat 25 is confortable without changing engine bracket. I have already reinforced original bracket, since seemed to be a little twisted, so welded stainless steel bar angles on inside angles. Seems 15 HP two storke is no much heavier than original 9,9, and imagine would improve performance. Living in Miami area makes you move a lot until you can get into enough deep water to pull sails up.

Thank's for advise, and imagine is only first of a serie of questions, which is a bit difficult since I have only "sailed in spanish" in the past, so sorry for not having all names and spelling correct.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2003 : 19:09:46

I'm sure you'll get many answers to the questions. The mast gates cost around $30, and someone will post the address.

As to the engine, most everyone agrees that 8 HP is plenty. 1/2 throttle moves my boat offshore to windward through waves and chop at 6 knots. The rest of the throttle just squats the stern, makes, noise, and burns fuel. If you have to motor long ways from time to time, why not do it as quietly and economically as possible? The advantages of an 8 HP motor over a 15 are numerous (cheaper to buy, lighter, cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain, moves the boat just as fast). The newer ultra long shaft, high thrust, Honda 8HP has a 12 amp alternator. Electric start and remote control versions are available.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

Members Avatar

Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2003 : 20:50:10

For a 2-stroke, I'd suggest 9.9 with at least a 25" shaft unless you're on a small lake. For a 4-stroke, 8 hp high-thrust is said to be the equivalent of a 15-horse 2-stroke (power as well as weight), and as Jim says, pushes the boat to hull speed at about half throttle. You do want the extra power to horse the boat around in a slip, at a dock or negotiating a trailer. The new Honda 9.9 is the same exact engine as the 8 except for an extra three boat units and the lack of a throttle limiter, allowing RPMs you'll never, ever use. (Interesting marketing...)

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2003 : 10:30:05

Hi Paddy,

For mast slot gates, I made my own out of aluminum trim that you'd normally use with linoleum tile. I've had this set up on Snickerdoodle for around 15 years now.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/snkslot.html

The advice you have already gotten regarding engine size is correct. 15 hp is overkill. I have a 15 horse Mariner. It's a nice engine but the only reason that I have it is that when I wanted to buy a 10 hp model, the dealer sold me this one at the same price and it has an electric start. The electric start is great. The greater output electric charging is great. But, I seldom crack the trottle more than 1/3 open. If I do "open her up", I gain 1/2 knot of boat speed and cut my fuel efficiency per hour by 50%.

The #1 consideration for your new engine though is shaft length. 25" is just about minimum. If shorter than that, the prop will pull out of the water with any wave action or if someone is on the foredeck.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

Members Avatar

Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2003 : 21:55:27

Me again... The widely proclaimed king of mast gate plates is Joe Martinek, joemartinek@starband.net. All reports here indicate that he makes a quality product of stainless sheet and stainless rod welded together, shaped perfectly for the C-25 mast, polished, and shipped with mounting screws for something like $25. E-mail him for directions on sending a check. I'm about to order a set from him now. (So, I'm not really a reference--just a reporter.)

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

La Dolce Vita
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
86 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 14:45:38

Dave,
I tried to e-mail Joe Martinek about the sail gates but it came back as the wrong address. Could you please re-post that address for us.

Thanks!
Ed

Edited by - on

paddykember
Deckhand

Members Avatar

4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 17:06:41

Hi everyone, never thought would get such prompt response. Thanks a lot to all.
Ed, e-mail for Joe Martinek is correct, he answered immediatly and I got my gates on the way already, so hope is what I need.
Even though I have some doubts about engine HP, will follow all your advise and maybe stick with a 8 HP Honda, seems to be all is needed, and belive outputs my "79 9,9 Evinrude in a few HP, which still runs good, but not sure about reliability.
Again thanks a lot to all,

Patrick

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

Members Avatar

Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 19:04:22

Just one warning, Patrick... The 8hp electric start, extra-long shaft Honda 8 is 108 lbs--a major handfull, and heavier than most 15hp 2-strokes (and some 25s). Between the weight and the thrust, it may be a test for your bracket.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 21:32:09

Rather than going to the expense and difficulty finding the mast gates...go to most any boat store WestMarine, BoatUS, etc and buy a mast sail stop. It has a black plastic, solid cylinder about 1/4 inch in diameter and about 1 inch long....with a threaded rod coming out of the middle/side. There is a knurled knob/nut on the threaded rod. You simply slip it in the mast....move it to where you want it, and tighten by hand. Sorry my description is lacking. But, they are about $5. I use one to keep my sail from slipping out of the mast gate, and another to keep my tall rig boom in place.

I saw them mentioned and a link within the last week or 2 on this site. Take a look.

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

Members Avatar

Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 22:16:33

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Rather than going to the expense and difficulty finding the mast gates...go to most any boat store WestMarine, BoatUS, etc and buy a mast sail stop.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
That certainly works... I use one (and will till I get my plates from Joe). The downside is that if you want to reef, you can't pull the reef tack down as close to the boom as possible. A slightly less serious downside is the unnecessarily high bunch of sail if you cover it. If neither is an issue, the sail stop is the simplest solution.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2003 : 04:18:38

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The downside is that if you want to reef, you can't pull the reef tack down as close to the boom as possible. A slightly less serious downside is the unnecessarily high bunch of sail if you cover it.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Exactly . . .

Edited by - on

77Gypsy
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2003 : 22:42:53

i have a 9.9 4 stroke. sems to move her fine to hull speed. the 9.9 aqnd 15 2 stroke may be the same weight but the 9.9 is cheeper.

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

Members Avatar

302 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2003 : 14:32:42

Patrick,
Re. Engine
Besides Honda, also look at Yamaha et.al.
I agree with 8HP. Go with 4 stroke and electric start.
If you're in a tight spot, pullin on the darn rope is a pain when
pushing the green start button is a hellavu lot easier.
And todays' electronic systems are pretty reliable.

I would urge you to consider how you will rinse the motor with fresh
water after use (since you're in Miami area).
I have a new Suzuki 9.9 that while it works fine (I had to adjust the idle speed but that was simple), it's not that easy to rinse.
I have to put muffs on the lower unit. Works fine to rinse, just not real convenient.
I think I'd be just as happy with a 8HP and it might be lighter than my 9.9.

I heard some engines have a place where you can hook up a rinse hose easier. Have the dealer show you how, or look for where the muffs would fit. A hose outlet near the tiller would make perfect sense.

Cap'n Dave
Sailing The Blues
1986 C25 sr/sk #5413

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

Members Avatar

Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 20:36:57

I just received my mast gates from Joe Martinek, and will install them this week. At a glance, they are an incredible piece of workmanship--heavy stainless bent to shape and welded to rods and then polished, for $25 (including screws, instructions, and postage). I can easily see why they will work where my attempts at folding and bending some stainless sheet never quite did. I'll add a comment after they're installed, but I'm very optimistic.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.