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About SV Ixion

 

Ixion is a 1981 Catalina 30 Mk 1 sloop rig with a standard fin keel. Designed by Frank Butler and released in 1972, the Catalina 30 maintained its production run until 2008 making it one of the most successful keelboat designs ever built with over 6,400 sold.

Our Ixion was originally fitted with a Universal Atomic 4 Gas Engine, there’s a whole lot of history behind these little workhorses, but we’ve opted to repower Ixion with an electric motor.

The Ixion Namesake

We really wish we had a “profound” or “enlightening” reason for choosing the name Ixion, but in truth, we really just loved the name despite the dark mythos behind it. Do some research its weird and well… dark. So, definitely look up the Ixion myth and the weather phenomenon it details the origin of.

Anyways, since we named Ixion, the more fitting its become in our minds. The mythical figure apparently is the grandfather of the centaur race, is represented as an electrical horse in the Final Fantasy franchise, and according to a few scholars is a harbinger to bad weather. Though I wouldn’t consider SV Ixion a harbinger, I would say that repowering with electric and turning this solid little boat into a self sufficient floating oasis who both protects us from and harnesses the power of weather feels oddly fitting.

Catalina 30, Our House

As the story goes, we were looking at sailboats on a whim and Ixion was equally bought on a whim. You see, Nick had always wanted a sailboat, he dreamed of sailing to unfamiliar shores, so he always looked at boats that were just large enough sleep on. It just so happened that this Catalina 30 Mk 1 was for sale in Salem, MA for $6,500 and after one sea trial and a little bit of research, we discovered not only the popularity of this modest boat, but also the philosophy behind Frank Butler’s C30 design, quality build without the massive price tag, and so, seeing the massive support for the model, we bought the boat, and let me say Ixion is a joy to sail.

 

Design Data

  • 1981 Catalina 30 Mk 1

  • Designer: Frank Butler

  • Weight: 10,200 lbs

  • Construction: Fiberglass

  • Displacement: 10,200 lbs

  • LOA: 29.92 ft

  • LWL: 25.00 ft

  • Beam: 10.83 ft

  • Draft: 5.25 ft

  • Keel: Fin Keel

  • Ballast: 4,200 lbs

  • Rig: Masthead Sloop - Standard

  • Sail Area: 446.00 sq ft

  • Water: 43 Gal

  • Hull Speed: 6.7 KTS

Upgrade ITEMS

  • 10kw Thunderstruck Electric Motor

  • 10.5kw Lithium Iron Tesla Battery Modules

  • 316 Stainless Steel Solar Arch w/ Dinghy Davits

  • 2 375w Bi Facial Solar Panels

  • 4 100w Solar Panels

  • Midnite Solar Charge Controller

  • Victron Energy Quattro Charger & Inverter

  • Aluminum Air Foil Spreaders

  • Custom Frameless Portlights

  • Custom Throttle

  • Single Line Reefing

  • Dilithium Design Battery Management System

  • White Oak Bowsprit w/ Silicone Bronze Fittings