Adv: Cat 27 Retrofit outboard to inboard?

[Curt]

Just purchased a '73 Catalina 27 at auction that needs lots of work, the outboard probably is in need of replacement. Would it be worth the time and trouble to do this? I believe an inboard was optional so it should be possible (?), and I've seen some pretty good deals on used Yanmar's. I've heard a lot of folks say the boat is a little unresponsive especially in reverse w/ an outboard, on the plus side though maintenance is much easier. Any opinions?Thanks, Curt M.

 

[Tom Monroe]

get sailing

Yeah, my C27 w/OB doesn't handle as well as I'd like in reverse. On the other hand, I know her limitations, stay within them, and do a lot of sailing. It works. In tight quarters, you'll find that the bow really wants to pivot downwind, and that's a bigger factor than working an OB in reverse.If it were my boat, I'd find an OB that will work, swap them out, and GO SAILING rather than spending a bunch of time and $$$$ trying to optimize the aux power on a 30 year old boat.You probably ought to join the C27 list on sailnet. You're going to end up w/a lot of questions. On the other hand, maybe your keel bolts have been replaced, your spreader sockets stainless, your Princess stove happily replaced, your bulkheads free of rot, etc., etc.Great boat, have fun.Tom Monroes/v Different DrummerCarlyle Lake

 

[Peter18012]

Stay w/the OB

To convert to an IB diesel, you'll need to retrofit a hole in the hull for the shaft, the exhaust risers & manifolds and cooling passages, find someplace to install a diesel fuel tank & filler, find a diesel motor that is laid out so that you can fit the motor in that small spot under the cockpit and actually access for maintenance the oil filler, dipstick, waterpump, thermostat, injectors, etc. etc. etc. etc. Then you'll have a layout that isn't OEM, so it will be a suspect point to buyers if and when you sell. You'll probably spend 2-3K on the installation in addition to the cost of the motor itself. You'll have as much in the diesel as the whole boat is worth.Or you can replace the OB for about 2K and have all that space under the cockpit for a "garage" for storing sails, inflatables, etc.