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CE ratings...need info

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seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/21/2004 : 07:09:10

I was made aware of the CE rating at the boat show I attended. I now know that a CE rating of A, the highest, means a boat is best capable for ocean crossings but I want to know more. There must be other ratings in this system. Where can I learn more? I'd like to know where the C25 rates. I was told that the Hunter 36 is A rated, yet the C36 isn't. Of course, it was a Hunter rep that told me.

Bob

Seastream

Edited by - on

Jared
1st Mate

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USA
70 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2004 : 08:09:50

This is from Catalina's website... I think it is a relatively new certification (someone tell me if I am wrong), so the Catalina 25 probably isn't rated. If I had to guess, I would guess a C+ or B- (if the +/- scale is fair game) from reading past discussions on the offshore topic. However, I really don't know what I am talking about and am just guessing really.

International Marine Certification
Institute Recreational Craft
Directive 94/35/CE
Boat design categories as defined by Institute Recreational Craft:

Design Category Wind Force
Beaufort Scale (knots) Significant Wave Height
in meters (feet)
A - "Ocean" exceeding 8 (over 40 kts.) exceeding 4 (over 13 ft.)
B - "Offshore" up to and including 8 (34-40 kts.) up to and including 4 (13 ft.)
C - "Inshore" up to and including 6 (22-27 kts.) up to and including 2 (6.5 ft.)
D - "Sheltered waters" up to and including 4 (11-16 kts.) up to and including 0.5 (1.5 ft.)

A. OCEAN: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights of 4 meters and above, and vessels largely self-sufficient.

Catalina models certified in compliance with CE category "A" include:
Catalina 30 mkIII
Catalina 310
Catalina 320
Catalina 34 mkII
Catalina 36mkII
Catalina 387
Catalina 400
Catalina 42mkII
Catalina 470

B. OFFSHORE: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and including wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights up to, and including, 4 meters may be experienced.

Catalina models certified in compliance with CE category "B" include:
Catalina 270
Catalina 28 mkII

C. INSHORE: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes, rivers and canals where conditions up to, and including wind force 6 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights up to, and including 2 meters may be experienced.

Catalina models certified in compliance with CE category "C" include:

Catalina 250 water ballast
Catalina 250 wing keel

D. SHELTERED WATERS: Designed for voyages on small lakes, rivers and canals where conditions up to, and including wind force 4 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights up to, and including 0.5 meters may be experienced.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2004 : 10:15:21

A few months ago there was an extensive discussion on sailnet.com about these standards. They pointed out some limitations on the standards.

First, they are standards for the design of yachts. The institute reviews the plans for a yacht, and certifies that the yacht will conform to the standards for its class, if it is built in accordance with the plans. However, nobody from the institute actually inspects the yachts while under construction to ensure that the yachts are being built to specs. A struggling builder might be tempted to cut corners, but an established company like Catalina would be crazy to do so, because the legal liability would quickly bankrupt the company.

Secondly, the standards are the minimum standards for the design of a yacht of any given class. That doesn't mean that a Catalina 36, for example, is the best designed yacht for offshore use. It means that, at the very least, it meets the minimum standards for a yacht that can be safely used for such purposes.

Thus, I wouldn't consider crossing the Atlantic in a B rated yacht, because winds in excess of 40 kts. and seas in excess of 13 ft. aren't all that unusual out there. Generally, I wouldn't be afraid of an A rated yacht, but it would just make sense to buy the best A rated yacht you can afford.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2004 : 17:03:40

In his book "The Experiences and Techiques of the Lone Voyagers, Single Handed Sailing", Richard Henderson points out that a Catalina 27 was sailed around the world on a 21/2 year voyage by Patrick Childress singlehanded, and rates it in his top ten selections of boats that can be used successfully for that purpose. He goes on to state that he includes the boat however, because: it's easy to singlehand, is readily available, and offers more boat for the money than any other. Advantages for coastal singlehanding are a bouyant hull with moderatley high freeboard, faily long fin keel, swept forefoot, good hull ballance and maneuverability, and a simple rig. Its only disadvantages according to Henderson, are light construction, accomadations designed for harbor living, and a raked spade rudder which makes it turn too quickly for singlehanding. He suggests beefing up and modifying the boat for offshore ocean cruising.

The Catalina 25 is a similar design to the 27, except of course in size and weight. I would not hesitate to sail my 25 on an ocean voyage if I could afford to "beef it up" adequatley, i.e. rigging, chain plates, rudder attachment, and I had a yen to do so (which I don't). I've sailed in 30 mph winds on Lake Superior and she handeled very well with double reefed main and a 60% working jib. Just this past Sunday in fact, I raced singlehanded in winds 20-25 mph with little effort. Big waves are a factor which I have not experience yet having only sailed in 5-8 footers.

As it stands I would think the Catalina 25 would certify with a Category B rating.

My humble opinion

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

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