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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Why is my engine on the port side??

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newell
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USA
113 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/12/2007 : 09:09:20

I have no idea why but my OB is mounted on the port side of the boat. Of course, since this is already the heavy side of the boat there is a pronounced list. Probably it was mounted there because it is relatively easy to gain access to the mounting bolts just above the gas tank platform in the port locker. However, it can't stay this way and so I wonder about the collective wisdom of moving it. I have a small access panel to the middle starboard side of the transom from the aft end of the quarter berth. Is this enough access to remount the engine or will I have to cut a new access panel????

newell

Newell
1980 C25 SR/SK
AVALON

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 09:28:37

Newell,
I'm assuming you have a 70's model C-25. Most have there engines on the port side. I believe they were switched to the right side about the time they added the segregated fuel compartment. The list is negligible when it comes to performance. If your sailing your going to be listing one way or the other anyway.

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Derek Crawford
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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 09:44:47

The O/B on "This Side Up" (an '81) is on the port side and causes no listing problems whatsoever.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 09:54:50

Joe is right--after they added the cockpit fuel locker, installing the bracket on port was too difficult. Also, I prefered the outboard tiller handle toward the center (motor on starboard) rather than toward the rail. If your transom area in the quarterberth is like mine, you'll have no problem--two of my bolts went above the little shelf, and two inside the access panel, but my bracket wasn't a Garhauer (original equipment or Catalina Direct replacement). I and several others here put a Starboard plate between the bracket and the transom, and some thin plywood inside.

That said, the engine isn't that big a component of list (unless you have a 20-horse Honda)--it's not that far off centerline and a long way aft, where its weight contributes partly to "squat" and partly to list. Is your water tank filled? A full tank is about 160 lbs. offset further than the motor, centered fore-to-aft.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/12/2007 09:58:54

newell
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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 10:07:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Joe is right--after they added the cockpit fuel locker, installing the bracket on port was too difficult. Also, I prefered the outboard tiller handle toward the center (motor on starboard) rather than toward the rail. If your transom area in the quarterberth is like mine, you'll have no problem--two of my bolts went above the little shelf, and two inside the access panel, but my bracket wasn't a Garhauer (original equipment or Catalina Direct replacement). I and several others here put a Starboard plate between the bracket and the transom, and some thin plywood inside.

That said, the engine isn't that big a component of list (unless you have a 20-horse Honda)--it's not that far off centerline and a long way aft, where its weight contributes partly to "squat" and partly to list. Is your water tank filled? A full tank is about 160 lbs. offset further than the motor, centered fore-to-aft.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, I am confused 'cause my boat is a 1980 model. I assumed that the list was due to the engine being on the left side of the boat. It seems to list even when water tank (right side) is full. Maybe i shouold take the engine off the mount and see what that does to the trim of the boat.

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dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 10:38:18

Although my 1980 does not list, having the galley, head, larger bulkheads, cockpit dumpster, and the motor all to port does put more weight to that side. Try to counterbalance things a bit my moving heavier storage items to starboard.

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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 11:11:08

The engine on my '79 is on the port side which, when you add everything up, should be the heavy side but no matter how I measure the boat lists to starboard. I've decided though that correcting a little bit of list is low priority, especially this time of year. I'm sorry to hear about people tackling big projects when the sailing is getting good.

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jerlim
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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 12:39:13

We listed too, but filling the water tank leveled things out.

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Champipple
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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 14:12:39

It was on Port for the early years and was balanced quite well.

Here are some things to consider if you are still listing.

Is your watertank full? How about the waste tank? what side of the boat are your batteries? How much S#!T that you don't need do you have on board? On what side of the boat do you have your tool box? Is your cooler full of beer? What side of the boat is your Gas Can? Do you have a Head? Hom many anchors do you have and where are they all stashed.

For Nationals last year we ran with one battery, and the Toolbox on Starboard. The tohatsu (only 80 lbs and change) and a 3 gallon tank on Port, a full cooler of beer (I mean full) on Port. Empty tanks - head and H20, and on Anchor on Stbd. We were pretty darn level.

It becomes a guessing game of what goes and or fits where and what the impact it has with everything else. Check your rig too - if its not in line it can provide that extra few pounds to list you a degree or two.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 16:31:21

BTW, Newell... What keel do you have? (Showing year, keel, and rig in your "signature" often helps.) If a swinger, are you measuring your trim with it down or up? (Down will reduce list.) Are you looking at the mast or using a carpenter's level, and using it on the mast or across the coamings? Could your mast be tipped to port?

Just grasping for possibilities...

I'm betting taking the engine off won't change things appreciably.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/12/2007 16:34:02

newell
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 16:54:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 BTW, Newell... What keel do you have? (Showing year, keel, and rig in your "signature" often helps.) If a swinger, are you measuring your trim with it down or up? (Down will reduce list.) Are you looking at the mast or using a carpenter's level, and using it on the mast or across the coamings? Could your mast be tipped to port?

Just grasping for possibilities...

I'm betting taking the engine off won't change things appreciably.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I am going to take a look at the mast trim. I have not owned the boat for long and it may have gone up crooked. I am measuring trim with the keel down. Thanks for the suggestion about the signature. i will change that.

newell

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Champipple
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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2007 : 18:19:59

Take a halyard (if you don't have all line halyards tie a line to it so that it can touch the rails . . .Some guys tie a tape measure to it) Cleat down the bitter end of the halyard and use it to measure if it is straight athwartships. Touch the starboard rail then see if you are close on the port rail.

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