I'm very conflicted about the discussion about the "need" for anything larger than a Beta 25 in a Catalina 34.
I have a 1986 boat with a measly little puny incompetent undersized useless M25 engine, with 21 HP. In 1987 Catalina started putting in the bigger M25XP which is essentially the same engine with the alternator bracket upgrade and a 3 inch HX and all of 23HP. Soon after I got my boat I fixed the bracket and put in a 3 inch HX.
From 1998 to 2016 I sailed San Francisco Bay with its currents, in and out the Golden Gate regularly, out in the ocean all they way down to Monterey, and the California Delta.
In 2016, we headed out The Gate and turned right to Canada. It took 6 weeks and 1,650 nm later landed in our new home at Maple Bay on Vancouver Island. I have been cruising here since.
At NO time have I ever felt the need for more power, because after 2750 rpm the boat squats and doesn't go much faster.
In 1994 Catalina started putting in 30 HP engines. I have cruised with many Mark II boats and when we're motoring they do go a tad faster, but just a tad. Heck, I could've been running at 2750 rpm and they could have been at WOT but there is certainly not enough, in my mind, to warrant a larger engine than a Beta 25 if it is rated for 25 HP.
I have a 1986 boat with a measly little puny incompetent undersized useless M25 engine, with 21 HP. In 1987 Catalina started putting in the bigger M25XP which is essentially the same engine with the alternator bracket upgrade and a 3 inch HX and all of 23HP. Soon after I got my boat I fixed the bracket and put in a 3 inch HX.
From 1998 to 2016 I sailed San Francisco Bay with its currents, in and out the Golden Gate regularly, out in the ocean all they way down to Monterey, and the California Delta.
In 2016, we headed out The Gate and turned right to Canada. It took 6 weeks and 1,650 nm later landed in our new home at Maple Bay on Vancouver Island. I have been cruising here since.
At NO time have I ever felt the need for more power, because after 2750 rpm the boat squats and doesn't go much faster.
In 1994 Catalina started putting in 30 HP engines. I have cruised with many Mark II boats and when we're motoring they do go a tad faster, but just a tad. Heck, I could've been running at 2750 rpm and they could have been at WOT but there is certainly not enough, in my mind, to warrant a larger engine than a Beta 25 if it is rated for 25 HP.