2 or 4 stroke OB for motor well

[c27dan]

So without reinventing the wheel, what is the best size 2 or preferably 4 stroke motor for the motor well? I just purchased an '82 standard rig w/o the OB. I currently have a johnson 9.9 hp extra long shaft that may be too long.....i'm not sure if it will lift above the water when "up". So what's the best shaft length and horse power and what type of modifications have been done to the motor well to fit a more fuel efficient 4 stroke?
thanks,
Dan
Long Beach, Ca

 

[c27dan]

4 or 2 stroke

So I found other threads addressing outboard size and motor well modifications. I'll post some pics after I set up my Cat 27 with an outboard.

 

[jrowan]

I have owned the C 22 & C 25 but not a C 27. But I feel that the 9.9 engine size is about perfect for boats in this size range. It will get the boat up to hull speed, without burning too much gas, is not too heavy to remove for servicing, & gets good fuel economy. If you can afford it, 4 stroke engines are more reliable, will last longer as they're better built, & U don't to worry about forgetting to add 2 stroke oil mix to the engine & then ruining the motor. Honda 9.9 4 strokes are bullet proof, but Mercury does make one as well that is a lil' cheaper. I have been looking at the new Propane fired outboards by Lehr, which are interesting, because propane burns so much cleaner then gas, & will never have a gummed up carburetor to worry about. But if you have a decently running Johnson, then I would just run it till it gives up, then look at your options. The downside of buying used, is that people always want too much money for a half worn out motor, that you have no idea how well or poorly it was maintained.

 

[The Garbone]

My last boat was a C27 with well. It came with a Johnson 9.9 x long shaft and had no issues with fitment. The motor needed work so I replaced it with a Mariner 9.9 long shaft and it also fit fine after some trimming of the fiberglass on the top of the cutout. The Mariner had 3 trim settings and we had it on #2 as not to touch the rudder.

Both were 2 stroke with the Mariner being much quieter than the Johnson and neither having issues worked well moving the boat.

Also of note: I would leave the saddle tanks in place and use a super siphon hose to refill from premixed jerry cans, much easier to do underway than removing those tanks or pouring into a funnel.