Salina 48: General Comments and Opinions

[henryv]

We have the new layout of the Orana with the head forward. This layout provides a lot of storage in the mid area of the stb hull and includes a spot for a washer / dryer combo. We also took the option of a second refrigerator that gets mounted in the wall just inside the sliding doors - this unit has a vertical door. The piano hinge fridge works well providing better access than a normal top door arrangement.

[marvt]

Hello there I am new to the forum and I am about 99% there to buy a new FP Salina 48, delivery in May 2010. Have read some mixed comments regarding this boat.

I am looking for a ocean cruizer with space for 8 to 10 people.
Are there any Salina 48 owners that have comments on this boat or anybody that have sailed it?

Thank you
Marius

[yeloya]

Hi Marvt,

There have been some posting on Salina on this forum. We have two of them in the fleet and sailed them in couple of occasions. They are a bit slow within FP standards. If you don't mind the speed (which can be improved by genneaker and folding props), they are safe and well build and very comfortable catamarans.
Give a close look at aft sunbathing deck if you go offshore (they are otherwise fantastic..) and definately go for upgraded engines, factory engines are out of question..

Cheers

Yeloya

[marvt]

tks for the info, two questions, is there a problem with the sundeck and what engines do you suggest, I was going for the 55 from the 45 but should I go for the 75 motors? These are Volvo d2 motors.
Marius

[yeloya]

2x55 should be OK. If you go for 2x75 even better. Remember, unless you motor against strong wind, you only use one engine.
FP doesn't like the upgrade to 75 HP, but one of our customer has managed to get it installed.
Volvo's are just fine. For Yanmar, FP requires extra xxxx €, which is not worthed.

Yeloya

[DtM]

Hi Yeloya,

What is the sundeck issue? Is there a similar issue for the Orana?

daniel

[henryv]

The Salina has a sundeck over the davit/dingy area. Some have expressed concerns about the possibility of following seas landing on this deck. To some degree it may not be that different from what one would experience if the dingy was in place when the wave hit. Many people install solar panels over the dingy davits which also results in a somewhat similar condition.

The Orana does not have a sundeck over the davits.

[DtM]

Thank you for pointing out the difference, I had a slight concern.

How is your Orana going and where are you ?

[downunder]

My concern with the 75hp would be more fuel use relative to fuel capacity for extended cruising for very little extra speed if any. Definitly the 55s over the 40hp though for that sized vessel.

[henryv]

DtM - I am in Canada where we sail our PDQ32 - "my sportscar". We have our Orana in Horizons charter fleet in the BVI's at the moment. The plan is to take her out of charter for extended time on board when I retire.
We have been very happy with the Orana - she is a nice sailing boat, easy to handle, and very comfortable to spend time on. We have the new owner's layout with the head forward. This layout provides a lot of cupboard space and has a spot for the eventual addition of a washer dryer.
We are heading south for another 2 weeks next weekend.

[Johanvt]

Henryv,
Does your Orana have the bed in passageway or is it not available in the new layout? Been looking at the website and can't quite figure it out.

[henryv]

The Orana owners layout with the head forward has the walk around bed aft - a deck just forward of the bed area and then cupboards along the pasageway to the head. There is no additional sofa or bed. We considered the Belize before buying the Orana - it had the sofa midships however I think the added cupboard space is more usefull.

[Palarran]

What I would be worried about with the sun deck is having the dingy underneath it in a large swell. The bottom of the dingy is basically at the bottom of the boat so any swell slapping that area is going to drive the dingy up. If off shore, I personally won't want my dingy on davits no matter where their at. With the Salina you can just remove the motor and flip it upside down on the top of the sun deck.

[Palarran]

BTW, I was in lust for a Salina for a long time. It is to me one of the sexiest cats out there.

[fastcat435]

40 hp per side should be plenty with a weight of 12 tons , look at efficient propellers like flex o fold 3 blade to become more efficient. When going upwind 40 hp is also plenty since a slow speed is better with waves coming at you. Bigger motors weight more use more fuel and are generally less efficient.