Outboard as auxilliary power on 30' Catalina

[Jim Latoz]

Back in May, a Dolph Hayes posted a request for information pertaining to the idea of powering his 30' Catalina with an outboard. Has Mr.Hayes or anyone else taken this option on power? "It's not the destination...it's the journey." I know. It's not just the speed. Our 21 h.p. Universal does a good job moving us along with the fixed 3 blade prop,if the prop is clean,if the current isn't too strong,(the wind is against us,or else the sails would be up),if it's not runnig hot because of jellies in the filter. The smell, the noise. If we are sailing, Life is Good. But motoring down the I.C.W. is part of sailing around here. I would like to hear from anyone with a positive attitude towards this idea. I realize that in pitching seas an outboard motor may not be the best choice for power but I see it as possible option for our coastal cruising plans. Thanks.

 

[Peter]

Good and Bad

I've got a Cat27 with OB, and feel its the mot practical for most of my type of sailing, which is similar to the ICW. (I'm in the California Delta). That said, however, I'd prefer to have a diesel when I'm going further than motoring in/out of my slip. And I do a fair amount of coastal stuff up and down the California coast. The OB is way more thirsty, and will try to spin thru air more than an IB, especially if its on one of those transom brackets, which yours would have to be. (Turning air does happen very occasionally on my 27, but isn't a problem, because the LS OB lives in the lazarette rather than on a bracket.) Are you planning on leaving the diesel in (with the OB as an "auxiliary to the auxiliary"?). If so, I think you're really complicating your life. Then you'll have 2 types of fuel, and have to carry 2 fuel tanks. (And where you going to put the OB fuel tank?) You'll lose one of the main advantages of OB, which is the extra "garage" space you get where the IB normally was. If you will replace the diesel with the OB, you'll reduce your resale value, and have a hassle pulling the thing up and down on that damn transom bracket. And you'll have no alternator of any size to change the batteries. You'll want 15HP minimum, 25 better, with longshaft, electric start, and cockpit controls. A 25 2 stroke would burn 2+ GPH. 4 stroke maybe 3/4 GPH. Cost for a 25HP 4str (including 2 8 gal. fuel tanks, transom bracket, controls, etc. would be around $4K I'd bet.If it were me, I'd stay with the diesel...Good luck!