C-27 Outboard Motor

[Bob Keller]

Hello:I am considering a 1983 C-27 that appears to be in excellent condition. The motor is a Johnson 9.9 hp, 2-cycle OB and it is the original motor. Starts fine, but I am concerned with a couple of things:1. The owner says it pushes the boat at 3.5 knots - I am afraid that is not fast enough for my purposes and would prefer to have a motor that can push it at 5.5-6 knots. Does anyone have experience with what size outboard is best for this boat? Could the owner be mistaken about the speed?2. The other concern is that if I have to replace the motor with a 15 hp, 4 cycle motor, will such a motor fit in the outboard transom space? I read about one owner having to make some significant alterations to his transom (in a 1974 model) to fit a 4 cycle outboard motor.Thanks.BK

 

[Bob Camarena]

Should Go Faster

My experience is that the 9.9 should enable you to cruise at over 5 knots but I wouldn't expect to cruise at 6 knots. Either something is wrong or the owner is mistaken (maybe the knotmeter is inaccurate). The Johnson 9.9 is a tried and true engine. I had an old one when I owned a C-27 and it always started and ran like the Eveready Bunny. There should be a number of posts in the archives on what will fit and what will not.

 

[CAPT. Dick]

Johnson 9.9

I power Magic (C27 Hull 2020) with a 1988 Johnson 9.9 Seamaster (the 9.9 specifically modified for sailboat use -long shaft, rerouted exhaust, and different prop from the standard). When the bottom is clean we can cruise at about 5 knots without overworking the engine. I think 6 knots is a bit ambitious for this motor/boat combination. The major problem I had to work out is that in reverse the prop washes directly into the rudder, meaning you need to think about having the tiller under firm control prior to applying significant power in reverse.