I'am presently looking at a 27 Catalina with a 9.9HP outboard engine. To me, this seems under powered for a 27 ft. boat. Secondly, this same boat has a porta-potti. Is is possible to fit a permanent head with holding tank in this model boat. Any input in this area would be appreciated. Thanks in advance-Ray Lewis
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Peter
c27
A couple of words for you. A c27 is a nice boat. I have one too. Mine has a 10 hp inboard diesel, and it is more than adequate. At about 2/3 throttle I'm cruising at hull speed. I've seen quite a few c27's with 8.8's and they do fine as well. I didn't know that any of the c27's came with just a porta potti, most that i know of have a marine head with a holding tank. There's quite a few comments in the archives, and in peggie's section discussing replacing porta potties.
A couple of words for you. A c27 is a nice boat. I have one too. Mine has a 10 hp inboard diesel, and it is more than adequate. At about 2/3 throttle I'm cruising at hull speed. I've seen quite a few c27's with 8.8's and they do fine as well. I didn't know that any of the c27's came with just a porta potti, most that i know of have a marine head with a holding tank. There's quite a few comments in the archives, and in peggie's section discussing replacing porta potties.
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Rob R.
9.9 More than Enough
Ray, Sounds like you are looking at your first mid size sailboat - the C-27 is a great boat, but you should research the archives to find its strengths and weaknesses. As far as 9.9 hp goes: more than enough. A C-27 is only going to make 6 knots under power anyway, and your engine will get it there quickly. If you sail primarily in rough seas, then you might prefer an inboard, as an outboard can tend to come out of the water in storm conditions - but I wouldn't let an outboard sway me away from an otherwise sound boat. They have some obvious maintenance advantages over inboards. I have a 30hp inboard, which is entirely too much engine. I can rev the engine up all I want, but the boat will not go above 6 knots under power. So I usually cruise at around 1/4 throttle. Hope this helps- Rob
Ray, Sounds like you are looking at your first mid size sailboat - the C-27 is a great boat, but you should research the archives to find its strengths and weaknesses. As far as 9.9 hp goes: more than enough. A C-27 is only going to make 6 knots under power anyway, and your engine will get it there quickly. If you sail primarily in rough seas, then you might prefer an inboard, as an outboard can tend to come out of the water in storm conditions - but I wouldn't let an outboard sway me away from an otherwise sound boat. They have some obvious maintenance advantages over inboards. I have a 30hp inboard, which is entirely too much engine. I can rev the engine up all I want, but the boat will not go above 6 knots under power. So I usually cruise at around 1/4 throttle. Hope this helps- Rob
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Nick
Nine's Fine . . .
Ray, I'm an inboard as well, however almost all the Catalina 27s I see with outboards are either 9 or 9 and a half horses. There is also one I see from time to time that only has a 4 horse. (Fine for protected waters). So 9's fine and will get you to hull speed with no problem and it's sooooo much easier to swap engines, if you ever have to. Have fun, Nick "Julia Bell" San Diego Bay
Ray, I'm an inboard as well, however almost all the Catalina 27s I see with outboards are either 9 or 9 and a half horses. There is also one I see from time to time that only has a 4 horse. (Fine for protected waters). So 9's fine and will get you to hull speed with no problem and it's sooooo much easier to swap engines, if you ever have to. Have fun, Nick "Julia Bell" San Diego Bay
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Bob Camarena
Engine Fine, Marine Head Fine
I owned a C-27 with the same size outboard and it was fine. An advantage it has over an inboard is that your prop is out of the water when you sail. This means more speed under sail. I installed a marine head and holding tank in mine as well. It's work but not technically difficult. If there are other C-27s for you to choose from, make sure the price and condition of this one offsets the cost and work of installing the head and holding tank.
I owned a C-27 with the same size outboard and it was fine. An advantage it has over an inboard is that your prop is out of the water when you sail. This means more speed under sail. I installed a marine head and holding tank in mine as well. It's work but not technically difficult. If there are other C-27s for you to choose from, make sure the price and condition of this one offsets the cost and work of installing the head and holding tank.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
9.9 perfect
As everyone else has said, 9.9 hp is perfect for a 27. I have a 15 but ONLY cuz I got a spectacular deal on a used one (the HP was not a deciding factor). If you're primarily going to be sailing on the river, an outboard will work great for you. There are SO many benefits over inboards if you're sailing in protected waters. The only recommendation I can make is to get cockpit controls (if it doesn't already have them). This makes your outboard seem *almost* like an inboard but with the hassle! LaDonna
As everyone else has said, 9.9 hp is perfect for a 27. I have a 15 but ONLY cuz I got a spectacular deal on a used one (the HP was not a deciding factor). If you're primarily going to be sailing on the river, an outboard will work great for you. There are SO many benefits over inboards if you're sailing in protected waters. The only recommendation I can make is to get cockpit controls (if it doesn't already have them). This makes your outboard seem *almost* like an inboard but with the hassle! LaDonna
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Brian Stevenson
9.9 outboard power
For lake sailing, I think 9.9 is ok, but in a blow with head to wind,I can't maintain hull speed. Considering the cost to upgrade and with the economy of this size motor, perfect for light-medium conditions, I am staying with the 9.9 Honda that I have on the boat. Remote controls would be on my "must" list as it is very challenging to reach down into the motor well to adjust throttle or shift gears while maintaining heading, even worst approaching a dock. I'd add electric start as well for the same reasons. Hope this helps.
For lake sailing, I think 9.9 is ok, but in a blow with head to wind,I can't maintain hull speed. Considering the cost to upgrade and with the economy of this size motor, perfect for light-medium conditions, I am staying with the 9.9 Honda that I have on the boat. Remote controls would be on my "must" list as it is very challenging to reach down into the motor well to adjust throttle or shift gears while maintaining heading, even worst approaching a dock. I'd add electric start as well for the same reasons. Hope this helps.
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John Manfredi
prefer porta pottis
Ray, We put up with permeated hoze and tank tank stench in our 91 C30 since buying it 3 years ago. This otherwise immaculate boat just stunk inside. After trying several tank chemicals, changing to the best hozes (twice), weekly pumpouts and flushes, installing a fish tank bubbler which aeriated the tank and pumpout hose continuously, we just gave up and tore out the whole "stinking" system. We now have a porta potti and love it. Porta pottis do have less capacity, but ours can last 5 days or so. Since we mostly weekend sail this is perfect. At sails end we just empty the 5 gallon potti tank and start fresh the next trip. So think about how much capacity you need before you invest in a marine head system.
Ray, We put up with permeated hoze and tank tank stench in our 91 C30 since buying it 3 years ago. This otherwise immaculate boat just stunk inside. After trying several tank chemicals, changing to the best hozes (twice), weekly pumpouts and flushes, installing a fish tank bubbler which aeriated the tank and pumpout hose continuously, we just gave up and tore out the whole "stinking" system. We now have a porta potti and love it. Porta pottis do have less capacity, but ours can last 5 days or so. Since we mostly weekend sail this is perfect. At sails end we just empty the 5 gallon potti tank and start fresh the next trip. So think about how much capacity you need before you invest in a marine head system.
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Lorrie
I have an 8 HP
I power my C27 with an 8 HP Tohatsu on the Carquinez Straits where it is very windy and strong tides with no problem. I would probably want an inboard if I did alot of open ocean sailing. I do not have cockpit controls and often times when close to docks steer with the motor and tiller. As far as the porta potty, mine has one too, and I hate dumping it. But after reading the response from the C30 owner I think I would hate the smell of a bad holding tank more.
I power my C27 with an 8 HP Tohatsu on the Carquinez Straits where it is very windy and strong tides with no problem. I would probably want an inboard if I did alot of open ocean sailing. I do not have cockpit controls and often times when close to docks steer with the motor and tiller. As far as the porta potty, mine has one too, and I hate dumping it. But after reading the response from the C30 owner I think I would hate the smell of a bad holding tank more.
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