We've just purchased a 1978 Catalina 27 and need a new outboard for her. We are looking at either a Yamaha 8.0 or a Yamaha 9.9 - any recommendations? Specifically we are concerned that the 9.9 couling (sp?) won't fit through the opening in the stern. Alternatively, we are concerned that the 8 won't give us the power we need against wind/current. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Outboard engine size
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won't fit
this is a much discussed topic, check the archives for other thoughts. Bottom line is that none of the newer style 4 cycle OBs will fit, event the Johnson. Catalina recommended 6 to 8 HP in their old brochure, but almost everyone I know uses a 9.9 or higher. There are many options, your final choice is Power vs. fit.... One consideration is to modify the opening, I saw a project on a website and I'm sorry but I don't have the link. Try google maybe. But the owner had a 10 HP Yamaha. He lowered the bottom about an inch and added additional backing support for the motor bracket by glassing in a piece of plywood. BTW this additional backing is often suggested by the factory if adding a larger OB than the 6. Anyway, he also enlarged the upper part enough to accommodate the cowling. Of course, the cowling interferes with the transom hatch when the motor is in the up position, so he modified that also. When I replaced my old 15 HP Johsnson sailmaster (very low profile) with a Tohatsu 9.9 I found that I could tilt the motor up if I REMOVED the cowling, then covered the exposed head with a good quality canvas cover. So I leave the motor down all the time, when I'm using the boat. I leave the motor in neutral when sailing. The only time I ever pull it up when sailing is when I participate in the occasional beer can race, which isn't very often. Plus it's convenient being able to start the motor whenever I feel like it, just like an inboard. This has worked for me so far, but some day I'll modify the opening....but it's low priority, now. The most important thing is to get a motor with electric start, remote control and 12 volt charging system. It is totally worth the extra money. Many remote models don't come with tiller arms, but that's okay because it's useless with the C27 hole anyway. If the 8hp comes with remote package (I know honda has one) and it will fit when tilting up, then that's probably all you'll need to get in and out of the harbor. If you plan to do a lot of motoring, get the larger motor and figure out away to make it fit, or take my option. Last consideration is weight. I am a big, big Tohatsu fan. The following 20 inch shaft 9.8 Tohatsu has everthing you need, plus it only weighs 81 LBS!!! http://www.outboardsales.com/Outboard_Motor_Pages/Tohatsu_Outboard_Motor_Pages/tohatsu-9-8-hp-4-stroke.htm
this is a much discussed topic, check the archives for other thoughts. Bottom line is that none of the newer style 4 cycle OBs will fit, event the Johnson. Catalina recommended 6 to 8 HP in their old brochure, but almost everyone I know uses a 9.9 or higher. There are many options, your final choice is Power vs. fit.... One consideration is to modify the opening, I saw a project on a website and I'm sorry but I don't have the link. Try google maybe. But the owner had a 10 HP Yamaha. He lowered the bottom about an inch and added additional backing support for the motor bracket by glassing in a piece of plywood. BTW this additional backing is often suggested by the factory if adding a larger OB than the 6. Anyway, he also enlarged the upper part enough to accommodate the cowling. Of course, the cowling interferes with the transom hatch when the motor is in the up position, so he modified that also. When I replaced my old 15 HP Johsnson sailmaster (very low profile) with a Tohatsu 9.9 I found that I could tilt the motor up if I REMOVED the cowling, then covered the exposed head with a good quality canvas cover. So I leave the motor down all the time, when I'm using the boat. I leave the motor in neutral when sailing. The only time I ever pull it up when sailing is when I participate in the occasional beer can race, which isn't very often. Plus it's convenient being able to start the motor whenever I feel like it, just like an inboard. This has worked for me so far, but some day I'll modify the opening....but it's low priority, now. The most important thing is to get a motor with electric start, remote control and 12 volt charging system. It is totally worth the extra money. Many remote models don't come with tiller arms, but that's okay because it's useless with the C27 hole anyway. If the 8hp comes with remote package (I know honda has one) and it will fit when tilting up, then that's probably all you'll need to get in and out of the harbor. If you plan to do a lot of motoring, get the larger motor and figure out away to make it fit, or take my option. Last consideration is weight. I am a big, big Tohatsu fan. The following 20 inch shaft 9.8 Tohatsu has everthing you need, plus it only weighs 81 LBS!!! http://www.outboardsales.com/Outboard_Motor_Pages/Tohatsu_Outboard_Motor_Pages/tohatsu-9-8-hp-4-stroke.htm
That makes sense
Thanks! Our boat has been modified to fit a larger engine and we currently have a borrowed 9.5 Honda in there. What we find though is that if we use it full throttle the water backs into the engine opening. We can get the 9.5 in there if we remove the cowling to get it through the hole. So, we keep going back and forth... I think my dh is concerned the Yahatsu might not have a long enough arm and is concerned with it still having 'fit' problems'? What a silly problem! What size/type of engine was this boat designed for??? PS. We did try and search the archives but couldn't find anything...it may just be our inexperience with the site but we did try many different variations...
Thanks! Our boat has been modified to fit a larger engine and we currently have a borrowed 9.5 Honda in there. What we find though is that if we use it full throttle the water backs into the engine opening. We can get the 9.5 in there if we remove the cowling to get it through the hole. So, we keep going back and forth... I think my dh is concerned the Yahatsu might not have a long enough arm and is concerned with it still having 'fit' problems'? What a silly problem! What size/type of engine was this boat designed for??? PS. We did try and search the archives but couldn't find anything...it may just be our inexperience with the site but we did try many different variations...
Yamaha 9.9
We used a Yamaha 9.9 "high thrust" with extra long leg on our C27. We considered it to be the ideal motor for these boats. The fit was tight but worked. Innitially we removed the handle from the back of the engine's cowling to permit tilting it up. Then I realized that with a bit of trimming to the lip on the back of the lazerrette door the cowling could be returned to it's original configuration and still permit raising the engine. By installing a small block and tackle (similar to the boom vang), it becomes very easy to raise and lower (tilt) the engine. EG
We used a Yamaha 9.9 "high thrust" with extra long leg on our C27. We considered it to be the ideal motor for these boats. The fit was tight but worked. Innitially we removed the handle from the back of the engine's cowling to permit tilting it up. Then I realized that with a bit of trimming to the lip on the back of the lazerrette door the cowling could be returned to it's original configuration and still permit raising the engine. By installing a small block and tackle (similar to the boom vang), it becomes very easy to raise and lower (tilt) the engine. EG
yamaha 8.0
So, on advice of the fellow in the store we are going with an 8 hp high thrust x-tra long shaft Yamaha with remote controls and an electric start. He said it would give us enough power with the high thrust, almost equivalent to about 20 hp. If it's equivalent why don't they call it that???
So, on advice of the fellow in the store we are going with an 8 hp high thrust x-tra long shaft Yamaha with remote controls and an electric start. He said it would give us enough power with the high thrust, almost equivalent to about 20 hp. If it's equivalent why don't they call it that???
Equivalent, maybe?
It's only equivalent depending on how you use it. At full throttle it may have the thrust of a standart 20hp motor, but don't expect the same speed. On a sailboat that's exactly what you want, it would take considerably more engine (and fuel), than you would care to carry, to drive a C27 much beyond it's hull speed (approx 6.7 Kts). Our C27 with the 9.9hp version of your engine had considerably more than sufficient power to handle any currents or weather that we ran into, I'm confident that you'll be thoroughly pleased with the performance of your new motor. Best of luck and good sailing, EG
It's only equivalent depending on how you use it. At full throttle it may have the thrust of a standart 20hp motor, but don't expect the same speed. On a sailboat that's exactly what you want, it would take considerably more engine (and fuel), than you would care to carry, to drive a C27 much beyond it's hull speed (approx 6.7 Kts). Our C27 with the 9.9hp version of your engine had considerably more than sufficient power to handle any currents or weather that we ran into, I'm confident that you'll be thoroughly pleased with the performance of your new motor. Best of luck and good sailing, EG
Engine fitment
I just purchased the same 27'10" with a Johnson 15 long shaft 1994. It fits great and is easy to remove. I took it in for service and dealer said it is the idea mtr for this boat. They don't make it any longer, discontinued. You may find something simular for yours.
I just purchased the same 27'10" with a Johnson 15 long shaft 1994. It fits great and is easy to remove. I took it in for service and dealer said it is the idea mtr for this boat. They don't make it any longer, discontinued. You may find something simular for yours.
Tohatsu 8 or 9.8
Tohatsu 8hp is very similar to the 9.8. Difference is the carb. Both have an electric start and a remote option. Long shaft is quite deep enough and will get the prop below the bottom of the boat. The modern four stroke engines are more powerful than the older two strokers. IMO an 8hp Tohatsu 4 stroke motor would move a Cat 27 around just fine. Just make sure you have the right prop to push the boat around at the lower speed of a sailboat. For most operation, its very doubtful you'll ever fully open the throttle even on a four stroke 8hp motor to get to hull speed even in weather.
Tohatsu 8hp is very similar to the 9.8. Difference is the carb. Both have an electric start and a remote option. Long shaft is quite deep enough and will get the prop below the bottom of the boat. The modern four stroke engines are more powerful than the older two strokers. IMO an 8hp Tohatsu 4 stroke motor would move a Cat 27 around just fine. Just make sure you have the right prop to push the boat around at the lower speed of a sailboat. For most operation, its very doubtful you'll ever fully open the throttle even on a four stroke 8hp motor to get to hull speed even in weather.
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