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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Outboard and boom stack pack

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PeteD
Deckhand

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Australia
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/11/2026 : 22:48:58

Hello all
Apologies to those who have already read this on the 250 specific forum, I did mean to post it here.
Asking for advice or information.
I'm replacing my existing outboard (currently 20 hp Honda 4 stroke) which is a great motor but way too heavy and large for a 250 in my opinion. This was on the boat when purchased.
I'm looking at a 25" leg Yamaha high thrust 9.9 hp or the Mercury Pro kicker. I would like electric start and tilt (will save my back), I know this adds weight and cost however for the convenience I think its worth it. Anyone use these motors, any opinion on that?
I'm also looking at fitting lazy jacks and a boom stack pack, again for convenience and also look tidy and so much easier on the set up and pack up later.
My question here is that the sail maker who is going to build it recommends I change the main sail foot to a loose foot so he can use the bolt rope section on the boom for the stack pack. Has anyone else done this, just tying off the clew to the outhaul without using the bolt rope on the boom and experienced sailing with a loose foot on the 250?
Thankyou, safe sailing everyone as you head into your spring, I'm now in Autumn with some lighter winds and not so blistering heat.
Pete

Thankyou,
Regards,
Pete
2008 Catalina 250 WK HN-969

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2026 : 07:20:31

For most people, by far, a Tohatsu Sailpro 6 will do everything they need on a 25' sailboat. It will drive the boat to speed within about .5 kt of a 9.9. It is stunningly stingy on fuel. It only weighs 59 lbs. Unlike a 9.9, it is a one cylinder engine. That means it has fewer parts, which accounts for its light weight. That also means that it is much easier to pull-start, raise and tilt. It is much easier to remove from your boat and carry to your car for servicing. At age 75 I regularly removed mine myself while under sail to stow it on the cabin floor for a race. By comparison, the Yamaha weighs about 114 lbs and the Merc weighs 138 lbs. The reason why it is so difficult to raise, lower and tilt those other engines is because they are so heavy. Unless that .5 kt is crucial to you, I think you'd be better served by a pull start Sailpro 6. The purchase price is about $1,000. US less than the others.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

DavidCrosby
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2026 : 20:05:25

My 250wk has a Honda 9.9 long shaft. It has been a great motor. It gets the boat up to hull speed without a problem. So, I say, no worries on the 9.9. My outboard is a manual tilt and I personally had no problem tilting it. My wife could not lift the motor, so to make things easier for her, I bought and installed a CMC Power Lift. Works great. I have a tour of my boat posted on YouTube. At about 2:50 it shows the motor and lift. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL8d3rktE0Q.

My mainsail is loose footed. There are no problems with the loose foot. Regarding a stack pack. I built my own. I riveted an aluminum awning track to the boom. The stack pack halves slide on to the boom via a bolt rope. With this method you can avoid changing your mainsail's foot. If you are buying a new sail anyhow, I recommend the loose foot. I have a YouTube video of my Stack Pack at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AIC44oQMCU

David Crosby "Small World"
'02 C250 WK #614

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3500 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2026 : 21:16:04

I have a Cat 25 but the main on the boom using a loose foot, I see no downside. I went with a loose foot main within a year or so after purchasing my boat in 2005 after reading comments on the Forum. The loose foot maintains the sail curve.

I also have a Honda 9.9hp since 2006. It has worked out fine but is heavy. I believe a Cat250 is a lighter boat, so as a maximum go with a 9.9hp but as Steve indicated, you could potentially get away with less horsepower and a much lighter outboard.

I know this probably does not concern you since you want to go with a power assisted raise and tilt, however, you probably would not need that if you go with a much lighter outboard. But then you have to ensure whatever outboard bracket you have is sized for the appropriate outboard weight.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5452 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2026 : 15:45:05

I have a Honda 8HP and it�s pretty heavy to attach to the motor mount. It generally takes 2 men to be sure there are no mishaps. And while raising the engine from the running position to the docked position is a �heft�, I�ve done something that makes it a whole lot easier.
I�ve added a 1/2� thick piece of line that�s about 8 ft long (doubled) so I have something to hold onto. I can stand up on the cockpit seats, lean on the rails, and pull up on the loop in the rope. It�s wa-a-a-ay easier than leaning over the rail and yanking the engine up with brute force.
Give it a try, you�ll be very pleasantly surprised.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.