Jim,
I had an 80's vintage C27 for a couple of years. Mine was set up with an outboard, which I immediately replaced (upon buying the boat) with an electric start Nissan 9.9hp, 4 stroke outboard.
Here's a couple of thoughts:
The ONLY criticism I have of the C-27 with the outboard configuration is that in reverse, I couldn't power the boat back into a strong wind (18-20mph+). Otherwise, the outboard was great - very simple, reliable, and low maint. Easy enough to pull if I needed to. (Ok, a pain in the ass to get out of the boat and to the dock, and to the car - but TRIVIAL compared to working on an inboard in such a tight space!). 10HP was PLENTY to power the C27 with command into wind and waves (at least, in my experience). If your slip / mooring / etc. is protected, or you can avoid having to back into high winds (stay in?), then it's otherwise fine.
I would assume that your A4 probably did just fine in reverse, even in strong winds? I'd really enjoy hearing if that configuration solved that problem.
ANYWAY - the C-27 (at least mine) was set up so that it would be VERY easy to convert from inboard to outboard. If I remember correctly, there's a bolted in bulkhead that you pull out to put the outboard in a motor well.
I would STRONGLY suggest you consider an electric start gas outboard for your repower. MUCH simpler than any other inboard solution, and probably less expensive than anything else you could do.
If you REALLY want to go electric, your BIGGEST expense will almost certainly be for batteries.
As for motors - again, I would suggest considering the Torqeedo electric outboard. It costs about as much as a 10hp gas motor - and then the batteries....
The NICE thing about a Torqeedo outboard is again that the installation is trivial. Clamp it on, run the control box to the cockpit, hook up batteries and a charger, and go! Hmmm... ok, you still have to pull the old motor, pull the prop, and plug the holes. You'd have to do that anyway. If you go with an outboard, you can possibly leave the prop shaft in place to seal THAT hole. Going with an outboard avoides having to figure out how to mount an electric motor, and figuring out how to align it with the prop.
You also have the flexibility at resale - if someone isn't convinced about electric, fine - pull the Torqeedo, take your batteries, and let him buy an outboard.
The Torqeedo is light, and easy to handle. You have a built in GPS speed, and shunt / wattmeter and voltmeter to monitor, without having to buy / wire up a controller and monitor. If anything goes wrong (chargers and batteries have been my biggest issue), it's easy to pull anything of the system out and deal with it.
Personally, after what I've been through with my boats and electric experiences - I would agree with the general statement that, assuming you aren't going to travel a LONG way, you should be looking at around a 200AH lithium battery bank. And unfortunately, that will cost as much as the motor.
If you need to motor a LONG way, then I would seriously consider sticking with a gas outboard.
Good luck!
John
From: "bjamessr1@comcast.net" <bjamessr1@comcast.net>
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2014 11:36 PM
Subject: [Electric Boats] catalina 27 conversion to inboard drive
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2014 11:36 PM
Subject: [Electric Boats] catalina 27 conversion to inboard drive
hello everyone,
I've been member for alittle while and have tried to follow some of the discussions,, Well it's time replace my 1977 A4 with a elec propulsion unit. The two main concerns are the prop and the decision of reduction gear. Any help will be appreciated. Any other c27 drivers with suggestions ? Thanks Jim
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