Clearance for a 25" shaft outboard?

[Richard]

I've decided to repower my 1978 Catalina 27. She had an OMC saildrive installed in the 80's and it's just too hard to keep the old thing running dependably. She has the outboard cutout in the stern. MY QUESTION. I'm going to repower with a 4 stroke outboard. I would prefer the longer shaft. Has anyone installed a 20" plus shaft outboard using the stern cut out. Anyone need any OMC saildrive parts/manuals. Engine runs, just not dependable enough for single handed sailing in Mexico.Thanks

 

[Brian]

outboard clearance

Richard, I have a Catalina 27 with Honda 9.9 outboard. I am not sure if there was a cut out originally. The problem is that the transom flexes a little with the various power setting and at full power will want to interfere with the rudder.It would be difficult to re-inforce the transom. I have compromized by adding a little addition angle on the motor bracket to prevent interference. Some sailors have added a motor spacer to give clearance. I think that the real solution would be to modify the rudder. There is a company---Booth Enterprises, 781 Fairview, Victoria B.C. Canada V9A 5V2 phone (250)386-9622 that will rework your original into a new balanced rudder or can supply a new modified rudder. John Booth claims to eliminate problems with their rudder design. There have been postings in past regarding the Booth rudder.My pet peeve is the poor control in reverse with the existing unbalanced rudder. The tiller requires an iron grip when there is a lot of reverse power on the outboard engine. Hope this helps.