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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Outboard Selection

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PDXSteve
Deckhand

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20 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/25/2007 : 14:34:09

Greetings,
I have a 96 swing keel, water ballast, standard rig 250. Have had it two seasons and enjoy time spent on her. My dilemma is the outboard and the rudder...I have a long shaft 8hp Yamaha, it came with the boat when i purchased it. Its a good outboard, i think its the wrong selection for this boat. The problems are many - the control handle hits the fuel locker, making it useless for steering, it over powers the rudder - thus making the rudder useless to steer as well! Yes, challenging at times!! With the curvature of the transom, the angle appears not to be square with the rudder. I really not not wish to place the outboard on a separate mount, when there's a perfectly good mount point on the boat. I'm looking for a replacement motor and other ideas to correct this problem. Thanks

Steve Pipoly
96 Catalina 250 #231 WB/SR/SK
RCYC Portland Oregon

Edited by - on

Jonathan Cuff
Navigator

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Cayman Island
173 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2007 : 17:18:34

Hi Steve

I'm just in the process of changing my C-25 for a C-250. Part of the reason was the fact the outboard mounts directly to the transom instead of a bracket, which even with a new four spring bracket is tough to use with our Honda 9.9hp. However I noted the same as you- that the space to mount the engine seems to limit any ability to use the engine for steering at slow speeds or in reverse. I certainly need that on my C-25 so it's going to be interesting to see how it goes with the C-250. One solution may be to mount the engine on a bracket that extends the engine aft, but that seems to defeat the object as well as moving weight further aft.

Cheers Jonathan

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2007 : 18:47:41

Try doing a search of the archives. This topic has been discussed before. IMHO you should not need to extend the motor out although some do feel that is the way to go.

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2007 : 23:32:47

When I purchased my 250 the dealer convinced me to allow him to mount a bracket just aft of the transom cut-out and I have never been sorry. It allows sharp turns in either direction really simplifying docking on windy days! I first got the boat in 2003, and put the Honda 8hp 4 stroke on her with no problems. After someone in my marina crashed into and sank my motor I replaced it with an 8hp Tohatsu 4 stroke which runs more quietly, gives me every bit as much torque both starting from a dead stop and cruising, has an electric start and is dramatically, (almost 40 lbs), lighter. I have no problem recommending the Tohatsu and the bracket!

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2007 : 14:39:39

I have a motor mount that puts the motor at least 10" off the back off the boat ,
and like willy says it can make real tight turns.

you also have to extend your self that much further to do anything with the motor ,
it can also tilt side to side tilted up

I think its worth it
a electric tilt would be nice

We also have new honda 9.9 xlong its a good motor you realy have to prime the fuel ball awhile to get it to fire on the first crank .
and it has no choke so when it starts you can walk away from it to warm up on its own .

but there is a annoying handle rattle at a low rpms
thow it hums nicely at the higher rpms .
we have 250wk I can get 6-7 knots on the gps
(calm day) with out the motor working to hard .

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2007 : 15:09:58

On Zephyr - we attached a line to the throttle and then we secure that to the stern rail post. That helps to keep the motor straight and keeps the trottle handle from vibrating against the hull...

I always steer with the rudder and never the engine - but I had a couple of learner boats with inboards in my history. I have thought about locking the engine dead on forward, but haven't figured out how to make that happen with the original '82 Honda 7.5 hp long shaft - also figured if i ever lost the rudder it would be handy to be able to steer.

sten - '82 SR FK

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2007 : 15:51:20

Suggest you take a look at Aryln's web site and look for the soft link mod. I have the Tohatsu 9.8 and by moving it to starboard about 11/2 inches the motor moves freely from lock to lock with the tiller up and does not hit anything. I also installed Aryln's mod backing a snap. Concur with the forum search on this topic. You will find a lot of info on this subject with excellent photos.

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2007 : 15:51:34

Wow Sean...I tried for 3 years to get rid of that rattle!
Willy

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2007 : 18:33:55

Welcome to the forum Steve!
Although I to can't turn my motor but one way for the same reason, I've gotten use to just using the rudder. I give a vote for the Tohatsu. Oh and btw members get a discount on new Tohatsu's through the forum.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2007 : 19:39:27

The Mercs w/ the throttle and gear shift in the pivoting tiller make the tight distance not so bad.

Edited by - on

lcogge01
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2007 : 00:08:58

Just curious...what is the process to get the discount on a new Tohatsu offered to members? How much of a discount is it?

Thanks

Lon

Edited by - on

PDXSteve
Deckhand

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20 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2007 : 11:45:47

Here’s a photo of what I’m talking about...Yes, I’ve seen Aryln's web site and like the soft link idea (actually stolen a couple of other idea's too!)...except that it would not work with my present outboard (short of removing the control handle!). I’ve talked to a couple of guys at IBS (inflatable boat shop) about a remote set up of this motor...and come to the conclusion that it just less expensive to replace it with a 9.9 Honda or 9.8 Tohatsu.

Edited by - PDXSteve on 02/27/2007 12:36:11

tja155
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2007 : 12:24:59

Steve,
I have a 2005 WK with a 2006 9.8 Tohatsu mounted directly on the transom. I have also installed Aryln's soft link. Their is full range of movement of the motor. The Tohatsu also has the shift control on the front instead of the side. Aryln's soft link makes backing up a joy. If you decide to go with the Tohatsu get the extra long shaft.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2007 : 14:27:57

That handle sure justs out to the side! I can see why you are wanting a new OB.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2007 : 14:53:55

Steve,
Looking at your photo, it looks like your fuel line runs inside the aft storage/battery space? Was it like that when you got it? I'd be mighty uncomfortable with a gas line running inside the living space of the boat even if it is partitioned off by the battery access panel. Especially with your shore power line right next to it. Call me overly cautious, but that seems like an accident waiting to happen, both AC & DC within spitting distance of fuel.

Edited by - delliottg on 02/27/2007 14:55:21

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2007 : 22:43:27

David, I think that is an illusion. The power cable to the OB runs right next to the gas bulb in the photo and makes it look that way. I think that is the OB power cable going into the aft locker.

Edited by - on

PDXSteve
Deckhand

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20 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2007 : 02:31:47

The Outboard power cable is on the port side behind the shore power-AC input and the fuel line runs into the fuel locker (under the tiller)..Was that way when i bought the boat.Yes lines everywhere. All are in good shape, so no worries.
Yes Randy, you can see my dilemma! I've even had sugestions to cut out the fuel locker!! THATS NOT HAPPENING!
I'm thinking a Tohatsu 9.8 is in my future!

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2007 : 08:59:31

From the picture it sure looks like your motor well is either very small, compared to the new models, or your motor is very large for an 8. Checkout this post that has pictures of my 04 model with 9.8 installed. Notice the range is complete lock to lock with the motor tiller up.

http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true& TOPIC_ID=10465& SearchTerms=engine,mounting,

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2007 : 06:07:43

A couple of thoughts... the picture shows the motor tiller handle down, I doubt any of the motors turn with the tiller handle down. Will the motor rotate with the handle up? I realize there is no leverage but that is where the soft link comes in.

If I recall correctly, someone took the tiller off a Yamaha and provided a custom mount so as to use the controls.

If a new outboard is the choice, the overall favorite in recent years is Tohatsu... with 30+ good reasons.

The water ballast model can get by with a long shaft for small lake sailing as long as it is actually 22.5 inches. If the boat will be cruised on larger waters, the extra long shaft is needed. The wing keel version needs the extra long shaft for all conditions as it sits another three inches higher in the water.

Edited by - on

frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2007 : 09:12:51

Not sure if the Yam 8 has a remote control option or not. If so, you could remove the handle and hook up Arlyn's soft link.

Edited by - on

PDXSteve
Deckhand

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20 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2007 : 23:05:41

Yamaha makes a remote control for this motor, but its $450.00 plus the cost of installation...Could sell this motor for 1200-1500 and add the 450 or so and buy a new better fitting motor with less hassle...

Edited by - on

frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2007 : 05:32:30

Ouch! Go for less hassle.

Edited by - on

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