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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Diesel Vibration

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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/16/2011 : 04:01:17

I just purchased a 1988 Cat 25 wing keel with a diesel inboard. When we took it out for a test sail the engine had some vibration that the previous owner indicated was normal. What are your thoughts?

I am still working on some fix up items and have not put it back in the water yet-hopefully this week. This is our first sailboat with a cabin and engine so we have a lot to learn and are looking forward to lots of hours on the water. (I just need to stop the fixing up mode)

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 06:31:06

The diesels are pretty rare. You are lucky to have found her, but you will have a hard time getting advice specific to your boat since there were so few built. I suggest you just ask around your marina with other boat owners. Most of these engines have pretty similar operating characteristics, and a slip-mate should be able to let you know how your engine differs from his.

If you update your signature to include location/boat type you may get more replies. Your profile shows Texas as your home port. There are many C-25 owners down there.

Welcome to the board!

Edited by - Prospector on 10/16/2011 06:32:14

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 07:51:35

I'd look at the mounts and see if they are soft. I suspect this is a 2 cylinder, so some vibration is normal. There is usually a sweet spot when underway, so see if you can find it. Check the prop and cutlass bearing if applicable. But start with the mounts.

BTW - welcome aboard and uh, you have one of the finest C25's ever built. The outboard versions tend to cavitate when underway in heavy seas which makes them somewhat a liability. You have a very seaworthy ride in my opinion.

sten

Edited by - on

JAB
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 08:01:11

My 1986 full-keel C25 runs a Universal M-12 two-cylinder diesel. At cruising revs of around 2800 rpm, various vibrations tend to smooth out. Drop down to 2600, and one of the lamps on a bulkhead starts making noise from vibrations.

Play with the throttle. Like Redviking says, there's lilkely a sweet spot at some particular rpm.

If it persists, however, you may want to do some research on engine mounts and/or shaft alignment. Check the Diesel Engine section of www.sailnet.com for discussions. Also, the staff at Torresen Marine, www.marinedieseldirect.com, are pretty knowledgeable.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 08:43:59

Welcome aboard!

PCP777 and Joe Diver are forum members that live in the Metroplex area. PCP777 sails on Lake Ray Hubbard and has sailed on at least of couple of inboard powered sailboats. He will probably chime in before long.

Joe Diver is on Eagle Mountain Lake and is a relatively new owner that can offer information from a new owners perspective to help you get up to speed quickly.

Both can offer valuable information as can the rest of us on this forum. Don't hesitate to ask!

Btw... Did you happen to buy this bought in Peoria, IL?

http://sailingtexas.com/201101/scatalina25261.html

Edited by - GaryB on 10/16/2011 09:05:49

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 10:39:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Btw... Did you happen to buy this bought in Peoria, IL?

http://sailingtexas.com/201101/scatalina25261.html
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Wrong vintage.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/16/2011 10:40:47

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 19:58:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Btw... Did you happen to buy this bought in Peoria, IL?

http://sailingtexas.com/201101/scatalina25261.html
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Wrong vintage.

And it's the first C-25 I've seen with a straight-shaft inboard configuration. I've seen several with saildrives...

Indeed, two-cylinder diesels tend to rattle a good bit more than the sixes in cars and trucks, or the fours in bigger boats.

Welcome Howard!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
As usual you are correct! I missed the year model.

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2011 : 03:27:56

GaryB, I found this boat on Lake Travis near Austin Texas. Currently it is setting in my driveway having a lot of TLC stuff done to her. I have tried to contact Joe Diver but I am not sure the e-mail I sent made it to him.(It was a link from Sailnet. I cannot get the link from here to work) I had hoped to put it in Eagle Mountain Lake for a short time until I get some practice then take her to different lakes for a week or two at a time.

Thanks all for the input. I will try her out at different speeds and check the motor mounts.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2011 : 15:24:59

Also check out the alternator bracket. The m12s and M25s may have similar if not identical brackets on the older diesel engines. I've discussed this on the Ericson forum, too. See: http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=M-25_Alternator_Mount_Conversion_Kit_%22B/M_256891%22 and http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=131499

Any engine or electrical system questions you have, ask away.

Congratulations on a great boat.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2011 : 18:29:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">tend to cavitate when underway in heavy seas <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I agree Sten. Can get a little hairy in tall close waves like you find on an outgoing tide in an Inlet. And of course the other weak spot is the rudder configuration. I haven't yet but AM GOING to put a third gudgeon/pintle on Bamboo.

Edited by - on

trptelf
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2011 : 10:00:29

"On your trial cruise, check the propeller shaft for abnormal vibration. Realignment of the propeller shaft may be required if noticeable vibration is present. Boat should be in the water when checking alignment."

From: Universal Atomic Diesel Manual which can be found online in pdf form. Just Google or let me know if you can't find it.

We just bought a C25 with an inboard also. Can't wait for spring...

Edited by - on

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