Diesel is dead. Can I use a 20" long shaft outboard on my catalina or do I need a 25" extra long shaft???I know it depends on the swing down bracket to some extent. Thanks
Outboard For 30' Catalina
- Thread starter lydiao
- Start date
I had a 9.9 longshaft on my boat when we bought it and it sorta worked. Get remote throttle and be prepared for horrible rudder response unless you yank the ladder and center the motor. If you try to steer with it you will need crew to direct you as you will be hanging off the transom.
Another option is get a trolling motor and attach it to the ladder with a piece of ply. You could move the boat about ion those dead calm mornings.
I suggest get the diesel pulled and rebuilt. A chain jack, furniture dolly and hand tools will do ya.
Another option is get a trolling motor and attach it to the ladder with a piece of ply. You could move the boat about ion those dead calm mornings.
I suggest get the diesel pulled and rebuilt. A chain jack, furniture dolly and hand tools will do ya.
L,
I agree with Garbone that a rebuild or buying a rebuilt engine is the best option.
Also, you haven't mentioned why you think your engine is "Dead".
As Garbone advised, Your freeboard is too high to be leaning over the transom to raise or lower the O/B bracket. Then there are the steering & rudder issues. Plus, it tells everyone your too cheap to fix your engine properly. It's also unsightly & takes away from the boat's appeal.
I see a 30 hunter used for day charters & have watched them painstakingly dropping & lifting. They removed the inboard engine & this changed their center of gravity some. You can see this when under sail. The boat is alittle more squirrely & heels over harder quickly with 3 or less people in light puffs.
There should be engine rebuilders in your area. Ask around for who is reliable. Remember, if you decide this route, you can save some money using your old engine's core charge.
CR
I agree with Garbone that a rebuild or buying a rebuilt engine is the best option.
Also, you haven't mentioned why you think your engine is "Dead".
As Garbone advised, Your freeboard is too high to be leaning over the transom to raise or lower the O/B bracket. Then there are the steering & rudder issues. Plus, it tells everyone your too cheap to fix your engine properly. It's also unsightly & takes away from the boat's appeal.
I see a 30 hunter used for day charters & have watched them painstakingly dropping & lifting. They removed the inboard engine & this changed their center of gravity some. You can see this when under sail. The boat is alittle more squirrely & heels over harder quickly with 3 or less people in light puffs.
There should be engine rebuilders in your area. Ask around for who is reliable. Remember, if you decide this route, you can save some money using your old engine's core charge.
CR
I agree with Ron, but isn't it just a lot easier & less hassle to rebuild the engine in place in the cabin? Seems like the hardest part is getting the beast in & out of the cabin. If you have to remove the galley to access it, it seems like you can just line the perimeter with paper or rags to prevent the oil from getting everywhere & just rebuild the motor on site. Plus you keep all the parts on the boat where they need to be. Seems like its pretty easy to loose indispensable bolts & parts when moving the engine out.
As far as an outboard that would work, a long shaft 9.9 or better 4 stroke new is gonna set you back 3 grand or more, plus the cost of a swiveling engine bracket & the cost to mount it all. By the time you paid for all that, you've already paid the money for a rebuild of the existing engine. If the block is not cracked, then rebuild what you've got as it was designed for the boat. It will perform better & not ruin the value & aesthetics of the C-30.
As far as an outboard that would work, a long shaft 9.9 or better 4 stroke new is gonna set you back 3 grand or more, plus the cost of a swiveling engine bracket & the cost to mount it all. By the time you paid for all that, you've already paid the money for a rebuild of the existing engine. If the block is not cracked, then rebuild what you've got as it was designed for the boat. It will perform better & not ruin the value & aesthetics of the C-30.
While others are right that replacing or rebuilding the engine is best, I was faced with the same problem last year - a dead engine and limited funds. Add in to the mix access to a 25hp Suzuki Outboard long shaft for very little money, the boat being moored far, far, far from where I live and where the limited number of diesel mechanics in town are not willing to work on a sailboat engine, and mounting an outboard made sense.
I mounted it dead center, in place of the ladder, using a bracket from Westmarine. Got a tiller extension for the outboard throttle. It's worked out great. Docking, I lock the rudder and use the outboard to steer - much easier to maneuver in reverse. Once out of the dock, I lock down the outboard and use the rudder. I did a 5 day cruise with it last fall and it performed great - easily pushing the boat through some heavy weather and strong currents.
Everything everyone has said about an inboard being better is true - performance, aesthetics, etc. But, will it work? Will it get you sailing until you can afford replacing or rebuilding that inboard? Absolutely!
Good luck!
I mounted it dead center, in place of the ladder, using a bracket from Westmarine. Got a tiller extension for the outboard throttle. It's worked out great. Docking, I lock the rudder and use the outboard to steer - much easier to maneuver in reverse. Once out of the dock, I lock down the outboard and use the rudder. I did a 5 day cruise with it last fall and it performed great - easily pushing the boat through some heavy weather and strong currents.
Everything everyone has said about an inboard being better is true - performance, aesthetics, etc. But, will it work? Will it get you sailing until you can afford replacing or rebuilding that inboard? Absolutely!
Good luck!
I bought my Catalina 30 for $ 1.00. There was almost a foot of fresh water in it from been left for years unattended. The atomic 4 was toast as well as the transmission. I am in ST. Croix in the Virgin Islands and there was coral up to 3" long on the hull. Pulled the boat out, remove the engine, transmission, shaft, strut. Rudder was cracked, keel was all chewed up form having broken free in a hurricane.
It needed new stanchions and lifelines. Also non skid. I installed a long shaft 15 horse on a Port Supply 19" throw outboard bracket for under $200. Extensions for the throttle and shifter means I only have to bend over for lowering and raising the mount. It only needs to be raised half way and this allows the engine to be tilted in a horizontal position. Totally out of the water. I race the boat and have done well. We sail in winds over 20 knots sometimes. Biggest headsail in 130%. Also shorten the counter and only have one sink. The area over the engine is now part of the salon sole.
It needed new stanchions and lifelines. Also non skid. I installed a long shaft 15 horse on a Port Supply 19" throw outboard bracket for under $200. Extensions for the throttle and shifter means I only have to bend over for lowering and raising the mount. It only needs to be raised half way and this allows the engine to be tilted in a horizontal position. Totally out of the water. I race the boat and have done well. We sail in winds over 20 knots sometimes. Biggest headsail in 130%. Also shorten the counter and only have one sink. The area over the engine is now part of the salon sole.
I hammered a wooden plug at both ends and ground out the outside one and ground some glass out from the area and then, yes, I glassed it in. The strut, I just ground it down until flush with hull. the bilge exit was closed off and I rerouted the hose to the engine exhaust thru hull eliminated another area of turbulent flow. I am racing the boat and every little thing helps. I also glassed all the existing thru hulls and installed new ones in a better area.
Cay,
Personally, I don't feel this was the best way to go. Your boat is DESIGNED for an inboard engine. However, again I cannot speak for you. Thru the past twenty five years as a boat owner, I am a believer that the right fix means you ONLY do it once.
That being said, if you are sailing in inland waters yes, this could be an economical fix.
If you plan to sail in bigger waters, just think about your downline approach. If you feel this is the correct approach for you, have at pal, as long as you never have to look back in hindsight & say, "What if I had....."
CR
Personally, I don't feel this was the best way to go. Your boat is DESIGNED for an inboard engine. However, again I cannot speak for you. Thru the past twenty five years as a boat owner, I am a believer that the right fix means you ONLY do it once.
That being said, if you are sailing in inland waters yes, this could be an economical fix.
If you plan to sail in bigger waters, just think about your downline approach. If you feel this is the correct approach for you, have at pal, as long as you never have to look back in hindsight & say, "What if I had....."
CR
now, a year later, I still like the outboard. Only use it when entering Nanny Cay in Tortola or Green Cay in STX. simple, efficient and no hassle compared to all the quotes that I constantly read.
One solar panel keeps my one deep cycle battery charged. The cabin is much larger now that counter is shorter. Just finished painting the whole boat and relaunched. Yesterday was the first sail since last year. Had shoulder surgery and also traveling to some of the disabled racing regattas.
The boat has a much larger main and with a working jib, she is well balanced. We sailed out of a mooring and only start the engine to keep it in shape.