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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Catalina 36 mk ii and Universal 35 motor review

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dalelargent
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/20/2020 : 02:23:24

Hi all,
We are looking at buying a 1998 Catalina 36 mkII with a Universal 35 diesel to sail the San Juan Islands and Gulf Islands as full-time live aboard's.

The motor has 4550 hours on it. Any idea how that fares for this motor assuming it has been maintained?

Any other thoughts on this boat and/or motor in general?

We highly value your input...

Excited!

1989 c25 WK/TR #5838
1998 Catalina 36 mkii
1983 Vagabond 14

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2020 : 06:45:31

Hi Dale,
This sounds like a great idea. There�s no time like the present to pursue your dream. I�m not an inboard or a diesel guy � I�ve read a little about them, have lots of buddies who have them and have heard all the stories, but zero experience.
And because most C25s and C250s use outboards, there will probably not be a ton of folks here with that experience - other than those who�ve downsized over the years or keep several boats.
That said, a marine survey is a great way to evaluate any boat before purchasing.
Another source of useful information is the cruisers forum. If you�re not already a member you might find it relevant. It�s pretty lively. See http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2020 : 07:18:27

4550 hours is an extraordinarily large number of hours on a marine diesel engine. By comparison, the original engine on my 1983 C&C 35 has something over 700 hours. That suggests that mine was used mostly locally and the Catalina 36 made lots of long passages, running night and day.

When my C&C was surveyed, no representations were made about the engine and drive line. I have seen others online say surveys don't typically cover engines, and you must have a marine mechanic check it in addition to the survey.

Diesel engines are generally very durable, but the marine environment is hard on any engine.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1736 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2020 : 09:06:12

I too am not a diesel expert, however I have read that when a diesel sailboat auxiliary engine gets to @4,000 hours it will need a major rebuild and/or replacement. Most of the boats I have looked at have been 1980's boats with up to @2,500 hours on the engines. Now I sail in a very contained, coastal area vs. the West Coast, but unless the engine has been rebuilt recently I would factor in the cost of an engine rebuild or a new engine sometime in the next couple of years during your negotiations. But again, not an expert. And . . . The C-36 is a really nice boat, hope it all comes together for you!

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Edited by - bigelowp on 01/20/2020 09:07:14

dalelargent
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2020 : 19:47:05

Thanks for the feedback. I checked in with the broker who shared that the boat was a charter boat for its first several years, hence higher than usual engine hours. In private ownership since then. He also claims it starts right up and is smoke free.

We are going to go take a look on Saturday. if we decide to offer, our price will consider future engine overhaul.

I will keep you posted!

1989 c25 WK/TR #5838
1998 Catalina 36 mkii
1983 Vagabond 14

Edited by - dalelargent on 01/22/2020 19:48:15

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2020 : 06:29:21

I had a friend who always paid for two surveyors, one for the boat and one specifically for the drive train. It pays to have an engine expert, one boat he looked at had low hours for the year, but the engine surveyor was able to tell the owner (original) never preformed preventive maintenance and both engines would need major work.

Good luck with your purchase, please let us know how it goes.

Tom Curran
1981 Capri 25 Hull #101 "Dirty Debbie"
1988 Watkins 30
PAFB, FL

Edited by - TCurran on 01/23/2020 06:30:16

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2020 : 07:43:24

quote:
Originally posted by dalelargent

...if we decide to offer, our price will consider future engine overhaul.

Your offer should be contingent on two surveys (vessel and drive-train). You can arrange to attend either or both, ask questions, and probably learn a lot. This is the best ~$K you'll spend on the boat--especially if it is the basis for adjusting your offer, and even if it convinces you to walk away.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/23/2020 07:46:18

dalelargent
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2020 : 22:31:55

We will definitely insist that the sale be contingent on the double surveys. Thanks for the awareness and proper language.

Do vessel surveys always include an inspection on the hard (the boat is currently in the water)? A sea trial?

We will know a lot more in the next 48 hours. :)

Thanks for your support, wisdom, and well-wishes.

1989 c25 WK/TR #5838
1998 Catalina 36 mkii
1983 Vagabond 14

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2020 : 19:18:24

A surveyor for the vessel will probably want a "short lift" to inspect the hull and keel. The sea trial is not part of the surveyor's charge--it is for you and the broker or owner to see how the boat performs to your expectations. The surveyor is looking for issues with the rigging, electrical system, plumbing, hull, deck, sails, etc. He doesn't weigh in on how well she sails. A specialist may be needed to do the drive-train, although I know of a very respected surveyor here who does the the whole thing on significant yachts. For the survey of our C-25, he ran the outboard and did a temperature scan on the block. You can ask... I would think that a surveyor would have a connection to an engine/drive-line mechanic if he didn't have one one staff. I'd want to know that the cutlass bearing, for example, has been checked by one of them.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/24/2020 19:24:38

dalelargent
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2020 : 10:02:35

Well, we made an offer on this beautiful boat and came to an agreement. Survey is on February 26th, delayed due to my work schedule. (I do still have to work until we get on board, after all.). We are quite excited!

Our survey experience will be pretty thorough and cool. She is moored a �2 hour� trip from Seattle. The surveyor will arrive via ferry and take the two hour trip with us to Seattle. Mix motoring and sailing, hopefully, to check out both systems. Then the haul-out in Seattle, then the return trip. So, we get to spend 4 hours underway with her before final negotiations.

We will keep you posted, but it seems like I need to find a c-36 owners group! I hope it is as kind and experienced as this one.

Btw, I am keeping Molly Jim for now. Not ready to let go of her yet.

1989 c25 WK/TR #5838
1998 Catalina 36 mkii
1983 Vagabond 14

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2020 : 13:16:22

Good for you and I hope the survey goes smoothly. A C36 is going to feel like an aircraft carrier compared to the 25. Exciting getting something new to you but lots of fun!

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2020 : 14:09:55

This is a good opportunity to learn something useful. Ask the surveyor to teach you how to back the boat into a slip, or how to rotate it in it's length, or navigation, or using the electronics, or anything else you've been wanting to learn.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

dalelargent
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2020 : 12:50:45

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Milby

This is a good opportunity to learn something useful. Ask the surveyor to teach you how to back the boat into a slip, or how to rotate it in it's length, or navigation, or using the electronics, or anything else you've been wanting to learn.

Agreed! I am very excited about that part....I know nothing about most of the systems on board, and I certainly have no experience with piloting an inboard.

Nikki and are are going to also take the ASA 118 docking class so we can be more prepared and safer.

1989 c25 WK/TR #5838
1998 Catalina 36 mkii
1983 Vagabond 14

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