Help with motor decision!

[sailingescape]

Hi all - we have a 1977 27' O'day that we've owned for about a year now. We purchased her with a functioning inboard atomic 4 (gas) and a 6.6 hp outboard. We typically use the outboard since it is more maneuverable getting in an out of the marina and we aren't a huge fan of the gas inboard.

During my last checkup on her, I noticed that the water intake pipe on the inboard was fully eroded and if started, would leak water into the engine compartment. I've since closed off the thru hull valve to the inboard and am not planning on using it.
My question to you all is if this were your boat, what would your next step be? Pull it out and remove the entire inboard? Pay someone to fix it? just leave it and rely on the outboard? For reference, we are in the Western US and are mostly just doing day cruising with some short overnight trips.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Kind of depends on the condition of the engine, not just an intake hose/pipe which is easy to replace.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Have any pictures of what failed? Usually the intake goes from the metal or plastic thru hull to a rubber hose, to the pump on the engine. Neither the thru hull nor the hose should be especially hard DIY fixes. The thru hull requires a haul out and is maybe a 3 of 5 for difficulty. The hose is probably a 1 of 5. Either way I’d probably try to fix it myself - shouldn’t be too bad relative to the value of still having the engine.

 

[sailingescape]

Kind of depends on the condition of the engine, not just an intake hose/pipe which is easy to replace.

Engine works otherwise besides this. Starts up after a few tries and in peak form will start up after 1 try regularly. However, she is old and she is gas which makes us a bit nervous given the flammability concerns.

 

[sailingescape]

Have any pictures of what failed? Usually the intake goes from the metal or plastic thru hull to a rubber hose, to the pump on the engine. Neither the thru hull nor the hose should be especially hard DIY fixes. The thru hull requires a haul out and is maybe a 3 of 5 for difficulty. The hose is probably a 1 of 5. Either way I’d probably try to fix it myself - shouldn’t be too bad relative to the value of still having the engine.

Sorry I maybe should make it more clear. It's not a hose per se but one of the pipes that circulates water through the engine. It's a metal piece that has unfortunately been entirely eroded. I agree that I may not be the most difficult to repair. However, I would have to do a deep dive with Moyer marine since they are the only ones who provide parts for the atomic.

 

[fred1diver]

Pictures would help, sometimes you don’t need anything atomic specific

 

[JoeWhite]

Definitely fix the inboard engine as it has the proper horse power for this boat. The outboard 6.6 horse power engine is for an inflatable dinky. When the wind picks up you will not be able to control a 27ft boat and you may run aground or end up on the rocks.

 

[jaysweet]

Without knowing much of anything, I'd say replacing the pipe is almost certainly way less work that pulling out the entire engine, which would leave you ... without an inboard engine. Your boat isn't all that far away in size from mine (30 ft), and you probably should have an inboard engine with a boat of that size.

 

[Caboteur]

Is your outboard diesel? You have an atomic 4 with gas or an outboard with gas.
Fix the A-4, use your blower and other safety procedures.
Propane is also explosive but very practical!

 

[sailingescape]

Thanks all! I am leaning towards getting it repaired after all of this. I used the inboard a good bit last summer and it definitely is much more stable in heavy waters. I will try and post some pictures as soon as I can!

 

[LLoyd B]

When you move to that 30 foot boat you will want to impress the buyer with the usefulness and sophistication of an inboard sailboat that was designed and made like they used to be with no need to add an outboard to it. You might be selling it to somebody like me who always had an add on motor for skiing and fishing who thought that anything over 20 feet long with an inboard in it that you could sleep on was a yacht. Throwing in a free outboard will likely impresses a buyer when promoted by a knowledgeable and experienced sailor.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I had both inboard and outboard on my O'Day 25. The gas inboard was far better when it worked. Outboards sound very angry in heavy seas

 

[higgs]

Is that pipe you speak of particular to the A4 or is it just a common plumbing fixture? Your outboard is not going to be sufficient if you have to motor into some seas while the A4 would be more than adequet on a 27. If you go with the OB alone a 9.9 would be better, but you will still experience cavitation issues in rough seas. The A4 is a fine engine, lasts forever, and is simple to work on. Also, as mentioned, when the day comes to sell the IB is a selling point.