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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

outboard motor headache

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River Harley
Navigator

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132 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/04/2002 : 19:25:05

Wow! A brand new boat....a new motor..."all dressed up and no place to row." I bought a new C250 anticipating a summer of happy sailing. After discovering that my existing Honda OB's shaft was not adequate, I went out and purchased a brand new Mercury 9.9 two stroke, extra-long shaft. I took it to the boat and discovered that the motor well will not accomodate the new motor (most likely not any new motor). The tiller handle on the motor is restricted by the fuel locker. Essentially, it appears that except possibly for a two or three horsepower outboard, Catalina designed a boat on which an outboard motor cannot be used (The dealer never mentioned this, of course.) With summer's end approaching and no sailing hours on my boat, I'm in a state of despair. Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions?

RH

Edited by - on

coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2002 : 06:54:32

the motor well IS too small. we have a tohatsu 9.8 and it does fit, barely. i have noticed that catalina now offer a motor mount as an option. you might look into that. but i am curious, have you called your dealer back and asked them what kind of motor they suggest?

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK

Edited by - on

jguyot
1st Mate

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USA
97 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2002 : 10:28:45

Hi River

Look back on the posts on July 4th under "Outboard Power for a 250wk". I posted a picture of the "Outboard Bracket" that I got from Catalina when I bought my boat last year. it seems to work well for me. I have the Honda 8hp.

Jerry Guyot
250WK #586
"Sail La Vie"

Edited by - on

Tupelo Honey
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2002 : 13:23:20

hi. on my '95 250wb, my 8 hp nissan fits nicely (extreme turns are a little tight, but not a real problem). i did buy the spring-loaded bracket, but i returned it because the tight fit seemed like a better idea than the installation.

d

Catalina 250WB
Long Island Sound
"Tupelo Honey"
 <img src="http://www.stardive.org/tupelo.jpg"<img src

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River Harley
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132 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2002 : 00:27:35

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
hi. on my '95 250wb, my 8 hp nissan fits nicely (extreme turns are a little tight, but not a real problem). i did buy the spring-loaded bracket, but i returned it because the tight fit seemed like a better idea than the installation.

d

Catalina 250WB
Long Island Sound
"Tupelo Honey"
 <img src="http://www.stardive.org/tupelo.jpg"<img src
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

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River Harley
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132 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2002 : 00:32:41

Hi Tupelo Honey,
Thanks for your feedback.You mentioned that you started to put on a spring type bracket for your motor. Did you have a particular reason for deciding against it? They have worked for me on other boats. Are they not compatible with the C250?

RH

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coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2002 : 00:56:50

i know i asked you this already, but WHAT DID YOUR DEALER SAY. surely catalina would not sell a boat that you can not get a motor for. what did they suggest?

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK

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MarkTM
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2002 : 10:41:07

Most people I know use outboards in the 8 to 9.9hp range on the C250. The owner's manual states: "An outboard engine of 6 to 15 horsepower should be adequate to propel the Catalina 250 at hull speed under usual conditions."

I use a Honda 9.9 extra long shaft (XLS) on my C250wb. For many years I kept the outboard centered and rely on the rudder to make turns. But, in tight areas with a crosswind or current, I now rotate the outboard to help make a very tight turn. I find that this motor will rotate enough (both right and left) to make assisted turns. Sure, it doesn't rotate freely from stop to stop because of the confines of the motor well, but it does well enough.

Still, I very seldom rotate the outboard in turns.

Mark Melchior
C250wb "Lorelei" #384
[url="http://www.texassailor.com/"]<img src="http://www.texassailor.com/texas.gif " border=0>[/url]
(click flag to visit Central Texas Sailor)

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River Harley
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132 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2002 : 02:32:37

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
i know i asked you this already, but WHAT DID YOUR DEALER SAY. surely catalina would not sell a boat that you can not get a motor for. what did they suggest?

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

When I purchased the boat (several months ago) the dealer told me that they equip the boat with a Merc. 9.9...which confuses me, because that is what I ultimately purchased when I learned that my
Honda would not work. Believe me, it doesn't fit. Oh, I can set it on the designated mount, however, the clamps don't tighten without overlapping off the plate, and the tiller handle on the motor binds against the fuel locker. That's just not acceptable to me.

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Tupelo Honey
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2002 : 09:50:43

hi, river harley.

no, i just didn't feel like going through the trouble.

d

Catalina 250WB
Long Island Sound
"Tupelo Honey"
 <img src="http://www.stardive.org/tupelo.jpg"<img src

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jkountz
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2002 : 10:19:25

I took delivery of a new C250K, #668 on Friday August 2nd. She's has a 4 cycle Honda 9.9 XLS mounted without a motor mount extension on the transom. I opted for remote controls mounted on the wheel pedistal and I added Arlyn's saildrive modification.

The motor mount looks like a tight but workable fit. I might be able to take a couple of pictures for you if that would help. The remote controls take care of the tiller problem.

The motor mount and fuel storage locker are two items that Catalina could improve on with this boat, both are a bit too tight.

Edited by - jkountz on 08/09/2002 10:20:45

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 08/22/2002 : 17:45:03

River, the new Honda will work...however it takes a bit of effort. Replace the backing plate with a larger plate which is no problem. Be sure and drill out the drain hole. Shift the motor fully to the starboard side.

As for rotation, the tiller handle of course has to be fully raised. This is good however as it makes the starter, kill and throttle very easy to access. Rotation is limited to 20 deg for a starboard turn...but this is very adequate.

Rotation is handle in two possible ways; grap the cowl cover and turn the motor...or rig a "soft link" steering to the rudder.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

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