Repower Catalina 27

[Seeteufel]

Hi folks! Am thinking of replacing the tired 2009 Tohatsu 9.8 hp on my Catalina 27 with a smaller engine, e.g., would a 6 hp provide adequate power for the boat? Thanks much for your input.

[asahi]

Going from 9.8 to 6 is quite a big reduction in power. What is your boat's displacement?


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[Seeteufel]

It's 6,750 Lbs.

[asahi]

The rough rule I've read is 1hp per 500 lbs of displacement. My tartan 30 is 9000 lbs, from the factory had a 20hp diesel but was repowered to 15hp and reaches hull speed or close to it. With a 6hp you may struggle against a head wind or waves.


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[Seeteufel]

Thanks for the info. Will follow your suggestion and buy either an 8 or another 9.8. Fair winds and good sailing!

[Klamathman]

I owned a Catalina 27 and she carried a 9.9 Honda. I needed all of it at times with strong current in SF Bay. Wouldn't feel comfortable with less unless it was on a lake with no wind. No wind... Not a good thing for a sailor.


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[vancouver25]

I've had good luck with the 6hp Tohatsu and high thrust prop in a well on my 8000 lb Triton but I mostly just go in and out of the slip/harbor. Once in a 30 knot headwind trying to get back to the slip against the tide in a narrow channel I felt under powered but was still doing 2.2 knots over the ground. Steep chop also slows the boat significantly.

[The Good Life]

Huge mistake! I have the same boat with a 15hp and the other day here in Oklahoma I was in 20+ winds from the stern when docking and it took everything it had to not hurt anything on the approach! I had a 6hp on my San Juan 7.7 and it couldn't control the boat during heavy winds. So unless you won't experience a variance of weather conditions it would be silly to go down any less.


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[MarkSF]

Why is a 2009 outboard tired? They should last 30 years. What I would do is refresh it. All the parts you need are readily available.

I recently rebuilt my 1987 Yamaha 8hp, new block, carb, pistons, rings, bearings, you name it. Ready for another 25 years of use.