Caterpillar C7.1 finding favour with sportfishers

Caterpillar Marine has been actively promoting its new the Cat C7.1 high-performance diesel engine for recreational applications. Between the launch at the 2016 Miami Boat Show in February and the engine's top billing at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in November, there's been some enthusiastic uptake of this new Cat platform.

The new propulsion engine is available in three ratings: 507mhp (373bkW), 456mhp (336 bkW) and 406mhp (298 bkW), all at 2900rpm. All C7.1 power ratings meet EPA Tier 3, IMO II, EU Recreational Craft Directive and EU Stage IIIA regulations.

The new turbocharged C7.1 platform is described as a powerful, compact addition to the company's high performance product portfolio. Cat says the engine offers a superior power to weight ratio, resulting in a swift response time and speedy acceleration for performance orientated craft.

The C7.1 is ideal for recreational boating applications, specifically smaller vessels and motoryachts ranging from 25-60 feet in size. The engine features a common-rail fuel system enabling optimum combustion and low emissions. Cats says no visible smoke is emitted from the C7.1 engines during operation.

The engines provide noticeably quiet operation due to reduced combustion noise through advanced electronic control, Cat says.  Another  key benefit is the serviceability of the engine due to its small footprint.

SPORTFISHING CAPTAIN ENDORSEMENT
When Captain Ed Kattel learned that his vessel, the 36-foot-long sport-fishing boat Cool Cat, would be the first to debut new Cat C7.1 marine propulsion engines, he admits to being a tad nervous.

"We were all kind of holding our breath," he says of the repowered boat’s initial day on the water in July 2016. "But right out of the gate, from the very first sea trial, she performed just perfect—and we haven’t had any problems since."

For Kattel — who captains the Key Largo-based vessel for Cat dealer Kelly Tractor/Pantropic Power, taking customers on fishing trips around the Florida Keys — the performance and durability of Cat engines isn’t new. Built in 2002, Cool Cat was initially powered by 3126B engines and then C7s.

"Each one has been a positive step forward," Kattel says. "I was very happy with the C7s — we got 6000 hours out of them. But these new C7.1s are just fantastic. I’m thrilled to have them."

You can see his endorsement in this video...

THE TOP FOUR REASONS CAPTAIN KATTEL LOVES HIS CAT C7.1s
1. More power: Captain Kattel says Cool Cat’s top speed has increased from 29 knots to close to 35 knots, with cruising speed up 3-3.5 knots. He’s impressed with the C7.1’s common-rail fuel system, which pressurizes fuel at the pump instead of the injectors. "I’ve noticed better performance coming up out of a hole," he says. "When you fish like we do, you start and stop a lot. She jumps up pretty quick on plane."

3. Fewer emissions: "We fish about 100 days a year and when the weather gets rough, the smell of diesel smoke can make people sick," Kattel says. "There’s no smoke with these Tier 4 engines. You don’t smell it and you don’t see it." Plus, he’s thrilled that the C7.1s don’t require urea aftertreatment to meet emissions standards.

4. Smaller, lighter, quieter design: Kattel also likes that the C7.1 engines are smaller — giving him more space to walk around in the engine room — and a couple hundred pounds lighter than the previous engines. Another bonus: "These new engines are so quiet."

More on the Caterpillar C7.1 on this product bulletin.