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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

outboard recommendations

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spencerwait
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/06/2010 : 15:01:44

I just toasted the lower unit on my Mercury 9.9/15 long shaft. Repairs will cost over $700. I race/sail my 84 Catalina SK on the St. Johns river in Florida. Tides, chop, waves, etc. are minimal and I'd like to be able to take it off before each race. I'm leaning towrd the Tohatsu/Nissan 6hp long shaft (50-60 lbs) or maybe the extra long shaft. My Mercury had a 20" long shaft that did ok. Popped out a few times with too much weight on the bow leaving the dock, but other than that it did fine. Any recommendations. It seems the 250 are using the 6hp.

ps-anybody need a great running Mercury 9.9/15 power head?

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2010 : 16:18:35

If you can get an XLS in a 6 you should have adequate power, an 8 gives you more reserve for headwinds and waves. 9.9 is overkill, but the popularity with fishermen of 9.9's with XLS and electric start makes a competitive market and sweet spot for those of us who want those two features. As you said, the LS is OK, but the XLS is really the better choice. I think the motor should go pretty fast on craigslist if nobody here is interested. A lot of backyard mechanics would dig up a used lower unit and put it right back on craigslist. I'm tempted, but the Admiral would kill me if I got another project.

Edited by - on

Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2010 : 19:17:38

Where are you on the St Johns?
Ed

Edited by - on

spencerwait
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2010 : 16:34:06

I keep the boat at NAS JAX. Don't know if you know, but we established a Catalina fleet a few years ago. Fleet 25.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2010 : 16:46:14

I have the Tohatsu 9.8 which is too heavy to take off for racing. Next to me on Sea Fever a 1985 tall rig fin keel Dave has the Mercury 6 HP 4 stroke (same as Tohatsu/Nissan) LS. It works fine. Vibrates a tiny bit more as it is 1 cylinder. Would be easy to take off for racing.

The main reason I went with tbe big motor is for 50 mile offshore outer island cruises where I want the XLS shaft and charging system.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2010 : 21:52:09

I have the Nissan 9.8 XLS with electric start and LOVE it. I'm on an inland lake so the 8 would have been plenty, but the admiral wanted electric start. glad I bought it. got mine from Outboardsonline. good people.

Edited by - on

Oksky
1st Mate

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Canada
40 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2010 : 22:32:41

I bought the Tohatsu 6hp xls last season and love it. I thought it might be a bit small but handled anything that came along very well. I sail on an inland lake with the summer squalls hitting hard and fast and never had any problems with control or heading. Quieter and lighter than my old Honda. Recommend it to anyone.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 13:02:38

I have some experience from last summer with a borrowed 2.5 hp outboard, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it moves the boat, even up to 4 knots in calm conditions. The usual 9.9 hp is certainly overkill.

That little 2.5 hp motor was a pleasure to install and remove.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 13:22:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JohnP
 I have some experience from last summer with a borrowed 2.5 hp outboard, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it moves the boat, even up to 4 knots in calm conditions.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I towed Iris behind the dinghy using a little 2hp last summer too. It was fun. Woulda feared for my life if there was any wind or current though.

I have also towed her using a 1 HP (Human Power) engine. Man that was hard work. I hate it when th ewind dies at the end of a race. PLus they DSQ'ed me for finishing after the time limit anyway.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 15:33:59

I have an electric start 8.5 Honda. Its extremely reliable but heavy. A comparable Tohatsu is much lighter. I also have a 6HP Tohatsu pull start for my dinghy. That's not good on my aging bad shoulder. But its been a great motor as well.
I agree with most here, you probably dont need a 9HP but the XLS is best. As a paid member, dont forget the discount from Outboardsonline.com.
Good luck,

Steve A

Edited by - on

spencerwait
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 20:03:25

Thanks for all the advice. I went ahead and ordered the Tohatsu. It should be fine for what I need and will be easier to pull off the back before a race. Thanks again.

Edited by - on

spencerwait
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 20:07:52

Dave,

Any luck with the Admiral and the Mercury I have for sale?

Edited by - on

Delilah
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2010 : 18:19:26

It looks like the family and I will be the proud owners of a 1982 25'. We are very excited. We are in Jacksonville also. Would like to keep in touch with fellow St Johns River sailors.
I am obviously new to the forum and really to Catalina's also. This may sound funny but I have a lot of figuring out of exactly what model I have...the guy I am buying it from bought it to flip it and knows nothing about sailboats. The price was really right so we jumped on it! I do know a ton about boats and know that it is a sound boat.

By the way my dad has an Etchels 22(which is 30') and he has a Tohatsu 6hp long shaft and it pushes that boat at 6.5 knots in calm seas.

Also I am looking for a mooring on the East side of the St Johns near San Marco down to the Buckman Bridge if any one knows of one....cheap!

Thanks

Andy

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Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2010 : 18:44:39

The rudder club on the west end of the Buckman is very reasonable. You can look them up at rudderclub.com. I think wet storage is $4 per foot. There is a marina farther south on the west side of the river that is owned by Clay county. rates at the moment are $5 per foot, but it's at the Knights marina at the mouth of Black Creek.
Ed

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 12:09:57

Motors less the 9.9 are fine unless you want to charge your batteries, want eletric start, emergency power, etc. Here on Lake Superior, as with Jim on the Pacific coast, we are often sailing in wilderness areas a days sail from any safe haven. The motor helps to keep the batteries charged and moving in high wind and waves.

I understand Yamaha makes an eight horse with an 8 or 10 amp alterntor and hihg thrust prop. This is as small as I would go given the sailing I do.

In my opinion, the 9.9 is just the right motor for cruising though. I doubt that the added weight on the stern makes much difference in boat speed. On a full up race boat maybe, but not on a "racer-cruiser like the C25. I've had good success racing my boat, including one club championship, against Tartans, S-2's, Hunters, Siedelmans, and a number of others with my motor hanging off the stern.

Edited by - aeckhart on 05/04/2010 12:16:07

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 15:59:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 Motors less the 9.9 are fine unless you want to charge your batteries, want eletric start, emergency power, etc. Here on Lake Superior, as with Jim on the Pacific coast, we are often sailing in wilderness areas a days sail from any safe haven. The motor helps to keep the batteries charged and moving in high wind and waves.

I understand Yamaha makes an eight horse with an 8 or 10 amp alterntor and hihg thrust prop. This is as small as I would go given the sailing I do.

In my opinion, the 9.9 is just the right motor for cruising though. I doubt that the added weight on the stern makes much difference in boat speed. On a full up race boat maybe, but not on a "racer-cruiser like the C25. I've had good success racing my boat, including one club championship, against Tartans, S-2's, Hunters, Siedelmans, and a number of others with my motor hanging off the stern.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Where can I find info on charging my battery from my 9.9 Mercury?

In the regattas on our lake you are required to carry a motor, not necessarily from the stern of your boat though.

BVYC PHRF POLICIES

PHRF ASSUMPTIONS:

(1) Spinnaker pole equal to the base of the foretriangle (J),

(2) spinnaker maximum width is 180% of J,

(3) spinnaker maximum length is equal to 95% of the length of the jibstay,

(4) genoa LP is between 150% and 155% of J,

(5) the boat is in racing condition,

(6) the boat has a folding or feathering prop or an operational outboard motor,

(7) the hull and appendages are unmodified,

(8) multihulls are not to be fleeted with monohulls, and

(9) all keels and centerboards shall remain down while racing, unless otherwise stated in her class racing rules.

PHRF ADJUSTMENTS:

Subtract 6 seconds per mile from PHRF# for:

Genoas greater than 155% of J

Spinnaker pole over 100% of J

Operational motor not on board.

Boat with Roller Furling receives a +6 second adjustment.

Boat with Roller Furling and UV cover receives a +12 second adjustment.

Boat with inboard engine and 2-bladed fixed prop receives a +6 second adjustment.

Boat with inboard engine and 3-bladed fixed prop receives a +6 second adjustment.

Non-Spinnaker boat recieves a +6 second adjustment.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 16:23:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Where can I find info on charging my battery from my 9.9 Mercury?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The charging circuit connects to the same wires as the starting circuit. If you have electric start you are charging your batteries when the engine runs. You would have to add an alternator kit, challenging if you don't have experience, if you don't have electric start

Edited by - on

Jmurfy
Navigator

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USA
176 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2010 : 18:33:41

I would never consider anything less then a 9.9. I've had to motor directly into a 20 knot wind with 5-7 foot waves on Lake Michigan to get to winter storage and with almost full throttle I was making less the 3 knots.

Edited by - on

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