Just bought a 1979 Catalina 27 and it needs a new outboard. 2 questions: I found a good deal on a Nissan 8 hp. I was hoping to find a 10hp, but do you think the 8 hp is enough power to push this boat for lake use? Also, the engine mounts onto a cutaway in the transom. Is a short shaft adequate or is a long shaft required? Anybody got a good deal on a mailsail cover? thanks for any replies! joe s/v Everlasting Love
Catalina 27 - outboard motor questions
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Hi Joe You can push your C27 with anything from an 7.5 to 15 HP motor. In fact I have heard of people pushing them with as little as a 2 HP motor in emergencies! I push mine with a 9.9 long shaft and would recommend that you get one if possible. Richard
I agree 8 HP
8 HP will do, however you would be better served by a long shaft, possibly your Nissan has that.
8 HP will do, however you would be better served by a long shaft, possibly your Nissan has that.
8 hp is ok, but
Joe, I have an 8 HP Honda 4 stroke long shaft which pushes Whiskey Girl along at hull speed when its opened up, so you can't ask more then that. But... it is mounted on an external swing type motor mount because the size of the motor head prevents it from going to a tilted position if it was in the cutout. Several people have commented on this before, search the archives, it seems that many 4 stroke engines have this problem. My swing mount brings the motor very close to the water, and I have a long shaft engine, but I still experience a little cavitation when I'm on a port tack <the mount is on the port side> because the prop is close enough to the surface to suck in air when a wave moves under us. My "feeling" is to go for as long a shaft motor as will clear the water when its in a tilted position. As an aside for safety reasons, consider getting an electric start, or make sure your first mate has enough upper body strength to get the motor into the water and start it. Mine doesn't, and it is a little nagging worry when I consider man-overboard conditions.
Joe, I have an 8 HP Honda 4 stroke long shaft which pushes Whiskey Girl along at hull speed when its opened up, so you can't ask more then that. But... it is mounted on an external swing type motor mount because the size of the motor head prevents it from going to a tilted position if it was in the cutout. Several people have commented on this before, search the archives, it seems that many 4 stroke engines have this problem. My swing mount brings the motor very close to the water, and I have a long shaft engine, but I still experience a little cavitation when I'm on a port tack <the mount is on the port side> because the prop is close enough to the surface to suck in air when a wave moves under us. My "feeling" is to go for as long a shaft motor as will clear the water when its in a tilted position. As an aside for safety reasons, consider getting an electric start, or make sure your first mate has enough upper body strength to get the motor into the water and start it. Mine doesn't, and it is a little nagging worry when I consider man-overboard conditions.
Lake Lanier
Hey Joe. Congadulations on the Catalina 27. What marina are you in? We sail a Catalina 30 out of Sunrise Cove. For Lake Lanier, considering you will not encounter tides or currents and only need the engine for getting into and out of the dock and out of weather, 8 to 10 would seem sufficient. If your shopping used engines check out the Honda 10 with the built in alternator and four stroke dependability. Honda's seemed to rule for decades, especially the 7.5 which I had on two previous Catalina 25's and a Hunter 25. I do not know how deep the outboard well is for the 27, but a long shaft always provides better control. Their are a couple of Honda dealers around the lake area that may have some for sale. As for sail covers, you can use our hosts store, check out West Marine or do a search on the internet. If your handy you can buy a bolt of sunbrella and put one together yourself. Their is a consignment shop upstairs where Snugharbor Yachts is on Peachtree Industrial and she always has some really cool stuff if you looking for some good used gear. Catalina 27's are very popular here, in fact their is a fleet at Lake Lanier (Fleet #3). If your into racing or want to get together with fellow 27 owners thats the way to go. Bob Breezin II
Hey Joe. Congadulations on the Catalina 27. What marina are you in? We sail a Catalina 30 out of Sunrise Cove. For Lake Lanier, considering you will not encounter tides or currents and only need the engine for getting into and out of the dock and out of weather, 8 to 10 would seem sufficient. If your shopping used engines check out the Honda 10 with the built in alternator and four stroke dependability. Honda's seemed to rule for decades, especially the 7.5 which I had on two previous Catalina 25's and a Hunter 25. I do not know how deep the outboard well is for the 27, but a long shaft always provides better control. Their are a couple of Honda dealers around the lake area that may have some for sale. As for sail covers, you can use our hosts store, check out West Marine or do a search on the internet. If your handy you can buy a bolt of sunbrella and put one together yourself. Their is a consignment shop upstairs where Snugharbor Yachts is on Peachtree Industrial and she always has some really cool stuff if you looking for some good used gear. Catalina 27's are very popular here, in fact their is a fleet at Lake Lanier (Fleet #3). If your into racing or want to get together with fellow 27 owners thats the way to go. Bob Breezin II
thanks for Honda tip
thanks Bob for the tips.... good advice on the Honda too.. finding a used one is tough. Then there's the issue of the 4 stroke engine being too large for the cutaway. so i may stick w/ a Nissan 2 stroke from a friend at Sunrise. i hope to relocate the boat at Sunrise in the next couple of weeks or whenever i get an engine! may have to use a trolling motor for the short trip over. Looking forward to meeting fellow sailors over there. Castaway had a sail cover, but pretty shredded... $215 for a new one... thanks again, joe
thanks Bob for the tips.... good advice on the Honda too.. finding a used one is tough. Then there's the issue of the 4 stroke engine being too large for the cutaway. so i may stick w/ a Nissan 2 stroke from a friend at Sunrise. i hope to relocate the boat at Sunrise in the next couple of weeks or whenever i get an engine! may have to use a trolling motor for the short trip over. Looking forward to meeting fellow sailors over there. Castaway had a sail cover, but pretty shredded... $215 for a new one... thanks again, joe
Lanier
ps... oops forgot, i'm currently in Aqualand. Hoping to close tomorrow and negotiate some extra time in the slip.
ps... oops forgot, i'm currently in Aqualand. Hoping to close tomorrow and negotiate some extra time in the slip.
Sail Cover
Joe, I have a Catalina 250 in Aqualand with a 8hp, you will have no problems with a 8. The lady that did all the sewing for the Sail loft at Snug harbor is a friend of mine and she is doing sunbrella work at home, since the sail loft is not open any more. She probably could make you a sail cover. I have her e-mail address on my web site, she made my Bimini and Tiller cover.
Joe, I have a Catalina 250 in Aqualand with a 8hp, you will have no problems with a 8. The lady that did all the sewing for the Sail loft at Snug harbor is a friend of mine and she is doing sunbrella work at home, since the sail loft is not open any more. She probably could make you a sail cover. I have her e-mail address on my web site, she made my Bimini and Tiller cover.
sail cover - thanks
thanks tom, i went to your site and sent her an email for a quote. appreciate it! joe
thanks tom, i went to your site and sent her an email for a quote. appreciate it! joe
Long Shaft ONLY
Unless you sail or motor on glass you need a long shaft. This ones a no brainer. In (close together) 3 foot waves you're prop is out of the water more then you're in it which means loss of control. The cutaway is going to restrict your use of just about every 4 stroke on the market that I know of without dangerous transom modifications or a use of a new external motor mount. I ran a 9.9/ 2 stroke Evinrude for a while and she scooted along just fine at 5 knots all day (that's bucking the average 1 to 2 knot tide). Besides Hull speed is like 6.3 knots anyhow. Its not worth it to pay what you're going to have to pay to get another knot and a half of that rip roaring thunder. An external Motor mount on an up/down slide( I forget who makes them) with a 10 HP Honda 4 stroke is what dreams are made of on that boat but thats going to set you back a good $3k but would be well worth the performance and security in my opinion.
Unless you sail or motor on glass you need a long shaft. This ones a no brainer. In (close together) 3 foot waves you're prop is out of the water more then you're in it which means loss of control. The cutaway is going to restrict your use of just about every 4 stroke on the market that I know of without dangerous transom modifications or a use of a new external motor mount. I ran a 9.9/ 2 stroke Evinrude for a while and she scooted along just fine at 5 knots all day (that's bucking the average 1 to 2 knot tide). Besides Hull speed is like 6.3 knots anyhow. Its not worth it to pay what you're going to have to pay to get another knot and a half of that rip roaring thunder. An external Motor mount on an up/down slide( I forget who makes them) with a 10 HP Honda 4 stroke is what dreams are made of on that boat but thats going to set you back a good $3k but would be well worth the performance and security in my opinion.
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