Messages

2006 Catalina MK 11                       $121,500

550 hours on 35HP diesel

Loaded with full Ray Marine electronics (Chart plotter, radar and auto pilot)roller furler main, Espar hydronic heat, Leatherette seating, Bimini and dodger.

Setup for Northwest cruising.

email....tomc109@aol.com
phone 360-561-0124

Noworries,

Our boat has the original 4D batteries from the factory, 320 amp hours in the house bank,. We have done 2 trips similar to what you are anticipating (one 10 days and the other 17 days) and found that the stock alternator kept up with our use as long as we moved (motored) every 2-3 days. We have full electronics, refrig, LED lighting, CD etc. The batteries never got below 50%, and as Stu mentions would charge to 80-85% within 2-3 hours. .

With what you have for a battery bank (225 amp hours) you are going have to really manage your electrical usage or motor every 1-2 days. I would not recommend you pull your batteries below 40-50% of capacity or you will start to reduce their life. Adding a couple more golf cart batteries should give you ample power for a 3-4 day stretch depending on use, and would be a very good idea if you will be doing more extended cruising.

Stu mentions a battery monitor, I would highly recommend as a minimum a gauge that shows percentage of battery voltage left.

Enjoy the cruise......

Bob,

We plan on retiring next year and cruising Puget Sound and up to Northern Vancouver Island. Our boat is currently moored in Olympia (Swantown Marina). Rates are resonable ($280 for a 36' slip)and there are openings. You can walk into Olympia from the marina, it is very well maintained with security. We enjoy the South Puget Sound because it is quieter with less marine traffic and multiple marine state parks are available.

Everett Marina is also a good location and convienent for a trip to the San Juans or Gulf Islands.  We have stayed at almost every marina between Olympia and Nanimo Canada, let me know if there is a specific marina you are looking at.

Since you currently have a Catalina 34', that you enjoy I would move it as the 34' is a popular boat in Puget Sound and usually brings a premium price for a clean boat.

Jack,

My manual shows the document change for the packing in early 2002.

Exact wording...Rev 4 change to (2) 1/4" packing rings 4/02/02.

This was also about the same time the manual was updated 7th edition, April 22, 2002, looks like the manual had to catch up with the changes from the 6th edition in 1996. It looks like Catalina started putting in the 1/4" packing in 01 or sooner as your boat had the 1/4" packing from the factory, you probably got the old manual, 6th edition.

Hopefully this clarifies why some have the 3/16" packing and why others have the 1/4".

Jack,

I only put in 2 rings of the 1/4" gore material. I had to just tighten mine up last week as it was starting to leak. I have noticed the same thing in my manuals showing sometheing different than what is on my boat. What I remember from 2 years ago the packing gland diagram has a note that shows 3*3/16" packing up to a certain year and then they went 2*1/4". I'll try and get down to the boat tomorrow to get the exact wording.

Nice mods. The hinges were the first modification to our boat in 2006.

I will be adding the lifting arm in the next couple of weeks.

Jack,

I replaced my OEM packing 2 years ago with Gore, got the material at the marine store in Bellingham. My Catalina MK11 manual specifies 1/4", I purchased both 3/16" and 1/4" so I would be sure to have the right size. I pulled out two 1/4" flax rings just like yours.

My manual from Catalina has a date of the change to 1/4" packing, I'll check it next time I 'am on the boat."

Great site ROC.....I now have my own tutor for some new knots.

Thanks

A difference of opinion.... When my boat was delievered new it had teflon tape on the zn. I have used teflon tape for the last 5 years, and never had any leaks. I check the zn every 3-4 months and usually 50% or more is gone so I replace it, it's apparently making a solid connection. In talking to different mechanics it appears they are split on this issue, some use it and some don't.

My 2006 MK11 uses 1/4" packing. The manual states what year they went to 1/4", but I don't have the date handy. We installed the Gore packing 1.5 years ago and are very happy, we now have a dry bilge. Adjusted once since installation

Derek congratulations,

You will love the features of the Catalina 34 for cruising. We also have a 2006 MK11 (Hull 1760) and sail out of Olympia Washington. We have made 2 trips up to the Gulf Islands with our Cat. Maybe we will see you in the Islands this summer.

Joe,

The winch on the front of the Seldon mast is part of the furling system. I have used both the Seldon and Charleston furling systems. I prefer the Charleston that we currently have on our MK 11. I have friends that have had trouble getting their Seldon's to furl. That is the reason you have a place on the winch to insert a winch handle.

On the Seldon mast the furling line feeds through the winch/drum. You pull on the furling line the winch turns and through some gears rotates the sail into the mast, until it binds up. Then you go up front to the mast and turn the winch with a winch handle.

Our Charleston has worked flawlessly for the the last 4 years. To reduce sail the wife slowly brings the boat into the wind, as the sail just starts to luff I pull in some sail, this takes us less than 5 seconds. It's now a competition to see how fast we can adjust our main sail.   

Ton,

We also own a MK11. We have the standard 3 blade prop supplied by Catalina. Your numbers are exactly what we see on our boat, even the swim platform item is the same. We do occasionally cruise at 2500 RPMs which give's us a hull speed of 7.3 knots.The majority of our time is spent at 2300-2400 rpm at 7.1-7.2 knots and we gain very little beyond 2600 RPM. Folks that cruise together with us are very surprised at how well she cruises.

1800 rmp/min : 5.9 knots (my cruising speed for long distance).....fuel 2.5 ltr/hr
1900 rpm/min: 6.0-6.1 knots
2100 rpm/min: 6.5 knots
2300 rpm = the maximum speed 7.1 knots and is  little below the hull speed ? The swimmingplatform surface is just in the water.

Fleet 5 update,

We will be arriving at Penrose Friday afternoon September 10th and have a hook set by 2:00 pm. I will send out an email to get a tentative count of boats/folks.

Look forward to seeing all of you.

Tom and Lynn

Braxton,

Swantown has a nice guest dock and is reasonable. We have a slip for our boat there.