C26 outboard conversion

[Lollygagger]

Hello fellow Mariners,

Can anyone advise me regarding a C26 outboard conversion? It is a 1977 Chrysler 26 Courser. It currently has a Volvo Penta diesel inboard motor-that is out of the boat and in my garage. Is there anyone in the market for one of these?

Thanks

Eric

Owner of The Lollygagger

realtoreric@yahoo.com

 

[Ray Bowles]

I can't advise anything on your old motor other than the fact that Volvo motors are quite popular and if it is a rebuildable core there is some value in it.
Mounting an outboard motor is a lower price option that is highly popular. If a motor mount can be mounted on your transom so that the motor clears the rudder and allows the motor to be raised and tilted out of the water then you are good to go.
A motor in the 7.5 to 10 hp range will push that boat quite nicely. If the hp is 9.9 or less then you skip many laws in many states on licencing etc.
Ray

 

[Chris Patterson]

Hmm. I've always wondered about that .9 business, and now it makes a little sense.

My neighbor has a 9.9 on his San Juan 30, (after he made a mooring out of his inboard), and that boat will go like hell.

 

[Lollygagger]

Thanks Ray--this was helpful and I appreciate it Eric

 

[rgranger]

Tohatsu makes a nice 6hp especially for sailboats called the sail pro

http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Tohatsu-6-hp-Outboards.html

It comes with a long shaft 20" and an x-long 25" version. It is geared lower and has a high thrust prop... and a 5A alternator. I've read that the higher thrust prop allows it to push a boat as well as some larger HP outboards ... I've been eying this motor for some time. It is small enough to man handle (59lb) so I really like that feature. Can't give you a first hand review but it does review well on line.

 

[Merlin Clark]

You'll want to make sure the transom is capable of taking the weight AND the torque. Your hull is probably plenty heavy enough but a backing plate wouldn't be a bad idea to stiffen and help spread the load. My choice would be a piece of decent 3/4" plywood, kerfed so it will conform to the shape of the hull then epoxied (slow hardened and thickened filling the kerfs) into place for a backing for the OB mount. Then drill out (mount) mounting bolt holes, fill with thickened epoxy, and drill again to seal the plywood and avoid water damage.
Extra long shaft motor would be my first choice, can be mounted high enough the reach from the cockpit (and keep from being "pooped" by a following sea) without acrobatics while keeping the lower unit in the water. There are also very cool systems available (Power Tiller) that allow remote throttle and shift control from the boat's tiller.
My Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke pushes my 5,000lb, 24'11" boat around very well with no currents or tides to worry about. I started with the 8" pitch prop which did not work well in slow maneuvering and so went to a 6" pitch (high thrust) which is great for slow stuff. The draw back is now I have to run higher rpms (louder and more fuel consumption but still only about 2/3 gallon/hour).
I plan on using the 8" pitch for longer trips where I would motor longer distances.
Mine is an older model (2004 or 5) with the side shift, much rather have the front shift and the alternator kit like on the newer model Sailpro that Rob described.

 

[Lollygagger]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info You'll want to make sure the transom is capable of taking the weight AND the torque. Your hull is probably plenty heavy enough but a backing plate wouldn't be a bad idea to stiffen and help spread the load. My choice would be a piece of decent 3/4" plywood, kerfed so it will conform to the shape of the hull then epoxied (slow hardened and thickened filling the kerfs) into place for a backing for the OB mount. Then drill out (mount) mounting bolt holes, fill with thickened epoxy, and drill again to seal the plywood and avoid water damage.
Extra long shaft motor would be my first choice, can be mounted high enough the reach from the cockpit (and keep from being "pooped" by a following sea) without acrobatics while keeping the lower unit in the water. There are also very cool systems available (Power Tiller) that allow remote throttle and shift control from the boat's tiller.
My Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke pushes my 5,000lb, 24'11" boat around very well with no currents or tides to worry about. I started with the 8" pitch prop which did not work well in slow maneuvering and so went to a 6" pitch (high thrust) which is great for slow stuff. The draw back is now I have to run higher rpms (louder and more fuel consumption but still only about 2/3 gallon/hour).
I plan on using the 8" pitch for longer trips where I would motor longer distances.
Mine is an older model (2004 or 5) with the side shift, much rather have the front shift and the alternator kit like on the newer model Sailpro that Rob described.[/quote]