Without knowing the boat is difficult to say but sailboat transoms were designed for a max motor of 10 hp. Whoever told you 50 hp may have been referring to power sailors whose transoms are built like power boats. Therefore knowing which boat would be suggested first
What is best outboard for 1972 Catalina 27
- Thread starter Summerbreeze
- Start date
Would two 5hp electric motors work as well as one 10hp gas engine? I've never seen it and I wonder if there's a reason why.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,364
I don't know. I'm just starting on my first sailboat. My only experience is ski boats. This thing hasn't left the dock yet. I don't want to be under powered
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,364
I can understand that concern. Easiest would be to get a 10HP outboard and giver her a buzz around the bay. Then hang up the motor and sail.
If you are so inclined to explore the electric motor needs, then talking to the manufactures about the design and weight of your boat would be in order. You may find that 10 HP will not give you what you want. Easy to bump up the HP on an Outboard. I have not seen a Catalina 27 with two motors and can not imagine 3 on the boat. Always easier to stick with a single motor and bump up the HP then to use multiple systems.
If you are so inclined to explore the electric motor needs, then talking to the manufactures about the design and weight of your boat would be in order. You may find that 10 HP will not give you what you want. Easy to bump up the HP on an Outboard. I have not seen a Catalina 27 with two motors and can not imagine 3 on the boat. Always easier to stick with a single motor and bump up the HP then to use multiple systems.
I found a 50hp that weights 200lbs. I'm going to try that and see what happens
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,364
I owned a 1974 Catalina 27 for many years. It came with a 4-stroke Yamaha 9.9 mounted on the stern, and the stern cutout had been modified to accept the larger 4-stroke engine cowling when tilted out of the water including a teak doghouse added on top of the engine lazarette. That motor comes with a high thrust prop, which capably pushed the boat around the Chesapeake Bay. I wouldn't have wanted a smaller motor, nor one without the high thrust prop, which provided excellent immediate power in forward or reverse. There were times with a foul wind and current I really appreciated having reserve power.
I will say that the stern mount flexed with that motor on it, and on a boat of that vintage you may consider reinforcing the fiberglass there. We started to see surface cracks back there. The Yamaha 9.9 weighs close to 100 lbs, and I wouldn't put any more weight than that back there or you risk overstressing the fiberglass, and the boat will squat badly unless you counterweight in the bow.
The other option is to glass in the stern cutout and install an external motor mount slightly to the side. The spring mounts allow you to easily raise the motor out of the water when sailing and at the dock.
I will say that the stern mount flexed with that motor on it, and on a boat of that vintage you may consider reinforcing the fiberglass there. We started to see surface cracks back there. The Yamaha 9.9 weighs close to 100 lbs, and I wouldn't put any more weight than that back there or you risk overstressing the fiberglass, and the boat will squat badly unless you counterweight in the bow.
The other option is to glass in the stern cutout and install an external motor mount slightly to the side. The spring mounts allow you to easily raise the motor out of the water when sailing and at the dock.