Leucothea

The Catalina 28 is a 28.33-foot masthead sloop designed by Gerry Douglas as a stable, comfortable, and easy-to-handle coastal cruiser.

The 1993 Catalina 28 belongs to the first generation (MkI) of the model, which Catalina Yachts produced from 1991 to 1995. Designed by Gerry Douglas, it was introduced as a modern entry-level coastal cruiser to replace the legendary Catalina 27. Catalina’s factory philosophy for this vessel focused on maximizing interior volume and providing a stable, forgiving platform for weekend families and new boat owners.

Design & Features

• Cockpit: Features a spacious layout with a central wheel steering system, comfortable coamings, and good visibility for the helmsman. [1]

• Interior: Offers an impressive amount of standing headroom and volume for a 28-foot boat, featuring a forward V-berth, an aft double cabin, a functional galley, an enclosed head, and a comfortable main saloon table setup. [1]

• Performance: Built on a solid fiberglass hull, it provides predictable, forgiving handling suited for both single-handing and weekend family sailing

• Please review the Vessel Binder before using this boat.

• Members MUST READ the associated manuals linked here in the vessel details before using the gas appliances.

The specifications vary slightly between the original M3-20 series and the newer B-Series variant:

fuel range of M3-20 with 17 gal tank for catalina 28

At a standard motoring cruise speed, a Catalina 28 equipped with a Universal M3-20 engine and a 17-gallon fuel tank delivers a safe range of 135 to 170 nautical miles, or approximately 27 to 34 hours of continuous motoring time. [1]

This baseline assumes a safe 20% fuel reserve (using 13.5 usable gallons out of 17). The calculations are built around the boat's real-world hull speed and the engine's consumption rates: [1]

1. Cruising Fuel Burn Rate (GPH)

The [Universal M3-20] is highly efficient when paired with the relatively light ~8,300 lb displacement of the Catalina 28. [1]

• Average Burn Rate: At a standard cruising speed of 2,000 to 2,300 RPM, the engine burns roughly 0.4 to 0.5 gallons per hour (GPH).

• Under heavy load (motoring straight into a steep headwind and heavy chop), this consumption can increase to 0.6 GPH, lowering your total range. [1, 2, 3]

2. Speed Over Ground

In calm water, running the M3-20 at 2,000–2,200 RPM will push the Catalina 28 at a comfortable cruising speed of 5.0 knots. [1]

Range Estimates Breakdown

ScenarioBurn RateCruising SpeedContinuous Engine HoursEstimated RangeConservative / Fair Weather0.4 GPH5.0 knots~34 hours170 nautical milesStandard / Variable Conditions0.5 GPH5.0 knots~27 hours135 nautical milesHeavy Weather / High RPM0.6 GPH4.8 knots~22.5 hours108 nautical miles

Leucothea (Catalina 28): Propane System

About This System

Leucothea's galley stove runs on propane (LPG). Know where each of these safety components is before you use the stove:

• Propane tank and locker. The tank sits in the aft port lazarette. The tank is sealed off from the locker so should any gas be leaking form the tank it is contained inside (Practical Sailor; West Marine). The locker only protects the boat when the tank container lid is closed and latched.

• Tank valve. On top of the propane tank inside the locker. It stays closed whenever the stove is not in use (America's Boating Club).

• "LP Gas Valve" breaker. On the electrical panel. It controls the solenoid, an electric valve at the tank that shuts off the gas supply from inside the cabin. The solenoid is normally closed, so if power is lost it closes and the gas shuts off (BoatUS; West Marine).

• Stove burner valves. The knobs on the stove itself.

Propane is heavier than air. Leaking gas sinks to the lowest part of the boat, usually the bilge, where a single spark can ignite it (The Boat Galley). Follow these procedures exactly, every time.

Starting the Heater or Stove

1. Check for gas odor. Before anything else, sniff low in the cabin and near the bilge. Propane has an added smell like rotten eggs (BoatUS). If you smell gas, stop and follow the Emergency Procedure below.

2. Ventilate the cabin. Open a port or hatch (America's Boating Club).

3. Open the tank valve. Open the aft port lazarette and the propane locker, then open the valve on the tank. Watch for any sign of a leak (America's Boating Club).

4. Close and latch the propane locker lid.

5. Turn on the "LP Gas Valve" breaker at the electrical panel (America's Boating Club).

6. Light the burner. Have your lighter or igniter ready before you turn the burner knob. Hold the knob in for several seconds after the burner lights so the flame-safety device can warm up, then release it and confirm the flame stays lit.

While Heating or Cooking

1. Never leave a lit burner unattended.

2. Keep the cabin ventilated the whole time the stove is on.

3. Never use the stove to heat the cabin. An open flame in a closed cabin produces carbon monoxide.

4. Keep flammable items away from the stove, including towels, paper, clothing and curtains. Know where the nearest fire extinguisher is.

5. Underway, keep the stove gimbal free to swing, use pot restraints, and do not cook in conditions where a pot could come off the stove.

Shutting Down the Heater or Stove

Follow this order every time. Turning off the "LP Gas Valve" breaker first burns the gas out of the line and also tests that the solenoid is working (America's Boating Club; The Boat Galley).

1. With the burner still lit, turn off the "LP Gas Valve" breaker. This is the most important safety step (America's Boating Club).

2. Watch the flame go out. It will burn the gas left in the line, then go out on its own within a short time (The Boat Galley; PassageMaker). If the flame keeps burning longer than expected, the solenoid is not closing properly. Close the tank valve right away and report the problem before the boat is used again.

3. Turn the burner knob off once the flame is out (America's Boating Club).

4. Close the tank valve in the propane locker (America's Boating Club).

5. Close and latch the propane locker lid.

Required state when you leave the boat: tank valve closed, locker lid latched, "LP Gas Valve" breaker off, all burner knobs off.

Emergency Procedure: Gas Odor or Alarm

1. Put out all flames. Do not smoke.

2. Do not operate any electrical switches, the engine, or the electric bilge pump. Any of these can make a spark (The Boat Galley).

3. Close the tank valve at the propane locker (BoatUS).

4. Get everyone out of the cabin and open all hatches and ports.

5. Pump the bilge by hand with the manual bilge pump. Do not use the electric pump (The Boat Galley).

6. Never use a flame to look for a leak (PassageMaker).

7. Do not use the propane system again. Report the incident right away. The boat will be taken out of service until the system has been inspected and repaired.

Member Responsibilities

• Complete a propane walkthrough before using the stove for the first time.

• Record propane use on the boat checkout and check-in form.

• Report any gas odor, alarm, damaged hose, or problem with the "LP Gas Valve" right away.

• Store nothing in the propane locker except propane equipment (PassageMaker).

The Maintenance and Inspection section is set aside, not deleted. It's still in this conversation for when you build the staff maintenance procedures.