I just bought a 1972 Cal 29 complete with a Universal Atomic 4 (Fresh water cooled)engine. The Atomic 4 may need quite a bit of work done on it and I’m wondering if it wouldn’t make more sense to simply put on an outboard motor and forget messing with an inboard at all. I know that the first Cal 29’s came with outboard motors as standard equipment. I was wondering if anyone has had experience using an outboard on the Cal 29? If so, how many horse power did you go with and how would you compare the performance with an inboard?
Outboard Motor on a Cal 29
- Thread starter paulierogers
- Start date
- Status
No experience with an outboard on a Cal 29 ...
Don't be silly, why would you want to ruin the lines of your sailboat with an outboard hanging off the back end? They are fine for a smaller boat, but I wouldn't do it to yours. Either fix the engine you have or replace it, preferably with a diesel.
Don't be silly, why would you want to ruin the lines of your sailboat with an outboard hanging off the back end? They are fine for a smaller boat, but I wouldn't do it to yours. Either fix the engine you have or replace it, preferably with a diesel.
Cal 29 outboards
Considering the expense of replacing the inboard, an outboard is a good option. I have seen a few Cal 29's & 2-29's with outboards, all around the 9 hp range. These motors were all with the high thrust props that do provide sufficient power to move the boat at hull speed. The owners I've talked to have not regrets. Sure it may not look the best but consider the numbers, new diesel 5-8K, new outboard 3K, less weight, quiet running, no more diesel stink in the cabin, disadvantage - now have to store gas instead of diesel. I bought the Cal for this reason(and many others), if my diesel goes, over the side it goes and I'll be replacing with an outboard.
Considering the expense of replacing the inboard, an outboard is a good option. I have seen a few Cal 29's & 2-29's with outboards, all around the 9 hp range. These motors were all with the high thrust props that do provide sufficient power to move the boat at hull speed. The owners I've talked to have not regrets. Sure it may not look the best but consider the numbers, new diesel 5-8K, new outboard 3K, less weight, quiet running, no more diesel stink in the cabin, disadvantage - now have to store gas instead of diesel. I bought the Cal for this reason(and many others), if my diesel goes, over the side it goes and I'll be replacing with an outboard.
Esthetics vs. Practicality …
Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated. The more I look into to the pros and cons of chucking my inboard and repowering with an outboard the more I think it’s the smartest move. Certainly it’s not the best esthetically to see an outboard off the end of a sailboat. But also a downer, esthetically, are fumes in the cabin not to mention the rattle of an inboard. Since I last posted here I’ve found out that the most popular size outboard is a 9.9 HP long shaft for my size boat. It will provide as much speed as a 30 HP inboard.
Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated. The more I look into to the pros and cons of chucking my inboard and repowering with an outboard the more I think it’s the smartest move. Certainly it’s not the best esthetically to see an outboard off the end of a sailboat. But also a downer, esthetically, are fumes in the cabin not to mention the rattle of an inboard. Since I last posted here I’ve found out that the most popular size outboard is a 9.9 HP long shaft for my size boat. It will provide as much speed as a 30 HP inboard.
Outboard info
I have a 1976 Cal 2-29 with both an outboard and a inboard diesel. I find it comforting to have the auxilliary powerplant on the back of the boat in case I have problems with the diesel, (which I have had a few). When I bought the boat it did not have the outboard and it only took one time for the diesel to fail me and I was 14 nautical miles from port. We had the wind in favor that day so we managed to sail home, and with the aid of a friend of ours, they pulled us in to the marina. Since then I have installed an outboard motor mount and I put a Mercury 2 stroke 15h outboard on the back. It's much lighter than a 4 stroke motor, it only weighs 76 lbs, which is relatively light for a motor of that size. It pushes the boat along with ease and it's much quieter in the cabin obviously. However I don't get the same fuel economy out of it as I do with the diesel and it doesn't charge the batteries nearly as well either. If I'm in a real hurry I noticed that if I run both engines she picks up to 7 to 7.5 knots. I don't do this often but it works in a pinch if you're wanting to get home quickly on a Sunday night after a long weekend. I call it turbo mode. I mounted the motor mount on the port side because my stove and galley are on the opposite side. My boat used to list slightly so this helped with that issue. I also fiberglassed in a plywood backing plate for added strength. Hope this info helps.
I have a 1976 Cal 2-29 with both an outboard and a inboard diesel. I find it comforting to have the auxilliary powerplant on the back of the boat in case I have problems with the diesel, (which I have had a few). When I bought the boat it did not have the outboard and it only took one time for the diesel to fail me and I was 14 nautical miles from port. We had the wind in favor that day so we managed to sail home, and with the aid of a friend of ours, they pulled us in to the marina. Since then I have installed an outboard motor mount and I put a Mercury 2 stroke 15h outboard on the back. It's much lighter than a 4 stroke motor, it only weighs 76 lbs, which is relatively light for a motor of that size. It pushes the boat along with ease and it's much quieter in the cabin obviously. However I don't get the same fuel economy out of it as I do with the diesel and it doesn't charge the batteries nearly as well either. If I'm in a real hurry I noticed that if I run both engines she picks up to 7 to 7.5 knots. I don't do this often but it works in a pinch if you're wanting to get home quickly on a Sunday night after a long weekend. I call it turbo mode. I mounted the motor mount on the port side because my stove and galley are on the opposite side. My boat used to list slightly so this helped with that issue. I also fiberglassed in a plywood backing plate for added strength. Hope this info helps.
Gett'n home insurance
Thanks Frans Sell. Sounds like you have a fine craft there! Funny you should mention that you like the outboard for the insurance it gives you, that was my first thought too. Right now it’s looking like I’ll have to remove the inboard to work on it and I may very will put a 9.9HP Mercury big foot long shaft outboard on the back while she’s out of the water. If (Okay, “When” let’s think positive!”) I get the inboard engine fixed up than I’ll have an auxiliary power plant as well. One thing that I was wondering is how loud a 9.9 HP four stroke outboard is likely to be for a person sitting in the cockpit? I’m always amazed at how much noise comes from people’s inboards … I wonder if an outboard would be louder?
Thanks Frans Sell. Sounds like you have a fine craft there! Funny you should mention that you like the outboard for the insurance it gives you, that was my first thought too. Right now it’s looking like I’ll have to remove the inboard to work on it and I may very will put a 9.9HP Mercury big foot long shaft outboard on the back while she’s out of the water. If (Okay, “When” let’s think positive!”) I get the inboard engine fixed up than I’ll have an auxiliary power plant as well. One thing that I was wondering is how loud a 9.9 HP four stroke outboard is likely to be for a person sitting in the cockpit? I’m always amazed at how much noise comes from people’s inboards … I wonder if an outboard would be louder?
inboard vs outboard
I have had the same problem with trying to figure out what to do with this matter. I want to repower with a new beta 13.5 but I cant do it for sometime and I dont trust the old feryman that is in her. It has not been rebuild in almost 15 years and has some serious hours on her. I have been hacking the drive coupler off the shaft so I can change the packing. However with a back problem, it has been slow going. It is going to be a while until I can afford the new beta and I want to get back onto the water. I found a 9.9hp and I want to yank out the feryman soon. But what do I do aboutthe hole from the shaft? how do I seal that off? Any info would be helpfull. Thanks everyone. Robert
I have had the same problem with trying to figure out what to do with this matter. I want to repower with a new beta 13.5 but I cant do it for sometime and I dont trust the old feryman that is in her. It has not been rebuild in almost 15 years and has some serious hours on her. I have been hacking the drive coupler off the shaft so I can change the packing. However with a back problem, it has been slow going. It is going to be a while until I can afford the new beta and I want to get back onto the water. I found a 9.9hp and I want to yank out the feryman soon. But what do I do aboutthe hole from the shaft? how do I seal that off? Any info would be helpfull. Thanks everyone. Robert
Outboard Info
My outboard is pretty loud when your sitting in the back of the cockpit but it's nice and quiet in the cabin. The only thing I don't like about it is that the fuel efficiency is pretty bad. Mine is a two stroke and I chose this due to its light weight. I didn't want something too heavy swinging around back there while sailing. My outboard only weighs 76 lbs, which is quite light for a 15h longshaft. However, its bad fuel efficiency drives me to use the deisel more often on long trips. The deisel does a better job of charging the batteries as well.
My outboard is pretty loud when your sitting in the back of the cockpit but it's nice and quiet in the cabin. The only thing I don't like about it is that the fuel efficiency is pretty bad. Mine is a two stroke and I chose this due to its light weight. I didn't want something too heavy swinging around back there while sailing. My outboard only weighs 76 lbs, which is quite light for a 15h longshaft. However, its bad fuel efficiency drives me to use the deisel more often on long trips. The deisel does a better job of charging the batteries as well.
- Status